Battery dies all the time

[cntchds]

My battery continually dies after very few uses. I thought I had figured it out, because my key can be taken out of the ignition at any time, and I didn't know about the locking feature that you have to push back the plastic thing to turn the key to the fully off position. After I started to do that it started to live longer, but it doesn't live more than a week or so.

Have any of you guys experienced problems like this? When I listen to my radio with my car off, the battery runs out enough to not be able to start in about 20 minutes. It's ridiculous.

Brand new battery, by the way...

Thanks guys.

 

[Downshift]

The battery might just be a POS. We get batteries back sometimes that are only 2 weeks old. Not very often but it does happen. Take it somewhere to get it tested and charged. Autozone does it for free. Might have a drain or something.

 

[mich_666]

test if the car is drawing power from the battery when its off, which is obviously is, and then work your way to the source...

once again, could just be the battery, throw it on a battery load tester

 

[cntchds]

Thanks guys, will do. The battery was bought only a couple months ago, and though it was run down a time or two (me being stupid, leaving the keys in) it really hasn't had much of a hard life thus far. If it's not the battery, how can I figure out what is draining the power? I'm not exactly apt when it comes to electrical.

 

[mich_666]

theres a couple ways to do it, but i just use a test light. disconnect the negative lead and connect the light between the terminal and the lead. if it lights up, u have a power draw. from there i usually just pull fuses until the light goes out and thats the circuit with your problem.
make sure you dont have any lights or anything on.

thats just my way of doing it... anyone want to elaborate/have a better way?

 

[cntchds]

Thanks, I'll try that, and yes, anyone else who has a different way of doing it feel free to speak up.

 

[GREG@SN95]

Heres what you do...

Start up the car... disconnect the battery (Ground first, or the black/negative terminal).

If the car continues to run, You either, A. Have a bad Battery, or B. Have a short somewhere that drains you battery.

However, I doubt its the batt if its only a few months old. Check to make sure the acid/water reservoirs are filled. (If you have them, most new batts dont, if low fill with distilled water) You should also give it a good charge over night. Finding what circuit is drawing power can be done just like Mich said. Then you will have to trace wires which is a PITA IMO.

If the car stalls, you need a new alternator.

As far as being able to remove the key while running, lol, you need a new tumbler.

 

[cntchds]

Heres what you do...

Start up the car... disconnect the battery (Ground first, or the black/negative terminal).

If the car continues to run, You either, A. Have a bad Battery, or B. Have a short somewhere that drains you battery.

However, I doubt its the batt if its only a few months old. Check to make sure the acid/water reservoirs are filled. (If you have them, most new batts dont, if low fill with distilled water) You should also give it a good charge over night. Finding what circuit is drawing power can be done just like Mich said. Then you will have to trace wires which is a PITA IMO.

Thanks. :santa_afro:

As far as being able to remove the key while running, lol, you need a new tumbler.

I hear that. In due time it will be in tip top shape.

 

[Stangbangin]

Thats the way weve done it too,Like mich said.Just had to pull the clock radio fuse,the obvious drain,and went from there.Ours ended up being the light on the vanity mirror behind the the visor on the pass. side,the button stopped being depressed when the mirror was closed,when the visor was in the up position,with the mirror shut,there was no way to tell that the light remained on...