• Mustang Forums
  • 2005 - 2014 S-197 Mustang -General/Talk-
  • 2005 - 2009 Specific Tech

Battery Dies after 4 days of being parked

  • Thread starter Thread starter hammerhead399
  • Start date Start date Nov 26, 2010
H

hammerhead399

New Member
Oct 2, 2010
5
0
0
Nov 26, 2010
#1
  • Nov 26, 2010
  • #1
I've got a 2005 GT, 5-speed w/ 39k miles on it. Had it since 12-2004 and in the last 6 months the battery goes dead after sitting parked for 4 days. I bought a new Optima red top thinking it was the battery but same problem. Alt volts are between 13.5 and 14.5 when running, have a scan gauge in the car. Has the factory alarm and shaker 500. Batt goes dead whether alarm is on or not. Its not the trunk light staying on, checked that. Had the water problem in the pass floor from the leaking window trim and the temp gauge went out. Anyone having the same problem? Suggestions? Is the alt voltage too low? Warranty is expired obviously.
 
S

ski

Member
Dec 14, 2004
380
2
18
Nov 27, 2010
#2
  • Nov 27, 2010
  • #2
Recharge the battery with a trickle charger.
Then, always make sure to manually turn off the radio(switch it to AM/FM mode if it's in CD mode before turning it off) before turning off the engine.
If the battery still goes dead, then the radio unit may need to be either repaired or replaced.
 
R

Rei_h

New Member
Nov 8, 2010
13
0
0
Nov 29, 2010
#3
  • Nov 29, 2010
  • #3
ski said:
Recharge the battery with a trickle charger.
Then, always make sure to manually turn off the radio(switch it to AM/FM mode if it's in CD mode before turning it off) before turning off the engine.
If the battery still goes dead, then the radio unit may need to be either repaired or replaced.
Click to expand...


Is the thing about the radio a common problem? Please let me know if there's a thread about it. I recently bought a used 2006 GT and noticed that the radio never turns off on its own when I turn off the engine, but I thought it was going to turn off after a while, so I didn't do anything about it the first day. But knowing that the battery was dead when I bought it, I was really cautious about electric units in the car, so I've always been turning it off manually before turning off the engine. Supposed if I don't do that, is it going to stay on until the battery dies??

I'm starting to hate this car. It already has that other problem about the gas tank (I have to turn the nozzle upside down to fill up the tank at some stations), and I'm discovering another annoying problem which I'm going to post here soon... I miss how my '99 GT was driving after 10 years and over 107K miles on it.. It never had any of these annoying problems..
 
S

ski

Member
Dec 14, 2004
380
2
18
Nov 29, 2010
#4
  • Nov 29, 2010
  • #4
There are dozens of threads regarding the radio problem on all of the Mustang forums.
Your 99 may have been more trouble free, but your 06 is light years ahead of it in performance, handling, comfort, style, etc.
 
R

Rei_h

New Member
Nov 8, 2010
13
0
0
Nov 29, 2010
#5
  • Nov 29, 2010
  • #5
yes, that's true. sorry... just that i hadn't bought a newer car in 10 years and wanted it to be trouble-free, but oh well.. thanks though. i'm looking it up.
 
S

ski

Member
Dec 14, 2004
380
2
18
Nov 30, 2010
#6
  • Nov 30, 2010
  • #6
You're welcome.
 

streethorse

15 Year Member
Oct 8, 2005
1,042
6
58
Dallas Texas
Nov 30, 2010
#7
  • Nov 30, 2010
  • #7
The radio should turn off as soon as you open the door, mine does.
As for the gas problem, try a different gas station and fill up on the
slowest setting.
 
S

ski

Member
Dec 14, 2004
380
2
18
Dec 2, 2010
#8
  • Dec 2, 2010
  • #8
Sometimes the radio stays on, or can even turn back on, after shutting the door.
WTTW-Always turn it off manually.
 
M

mustang128

New Member
Jan 23, 2011
1
0
0
Jan 23, 2011
#9
  • Jan 23, 2011
  • #9
06 mustang battery goes dead dealer no help i always turn radio off first. NOW I AM BUYING A BATTERY TENTER AT WALLY WORLD
 
W

Wayne K

Member
Aug 21, 2009
61
2
8
Jan 25, 2011
#10
  • Jan 25, 2011
  • #10
Check for excessive draw on your battery with a multimeter set for checking amps. Pull one fuse at a time until you find the circuit that has excessive draw. Then eliminate each item in the circuit.
 
J

joshgotamustang

New Member
Mar 9, 2008
16
0
1
Houston, TX
Jan 28, 2011
#11
  • Jan 28, 2011
  • #11
best solution is to just go for a joy ride everyday
 

RMB427R

New Member
Apr 15, 2009
6
0
1
Finleyville, PA
Feb 12, 2011
#12
  • Feb 12, 2011
  • #12
+1 on the battery tender idea. I put them on all my stored cars and never have to worry about the battery. Also, I'd bet that the radio issue is the culprit..

Good luck!
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Similar threads

E
2007 GT Stalls when lights or a/c turned on
  • ejscarfo
  • Jun 22, 2026
  • 2005 - 2009 Specific Tech
Replies
2
Views
144
2005 - 2009 Specific Tech Jun 29, 2026
ejscarfo
E
F
Trouble Shooting Sudden Shift of AFR at low RPM
  • Farva_84
  • Jun 6, 2025
  • SN95 4.6L Mustang Tech
Replies
8
Views
504
SN95 4.6L Mustang Tech Jun 8, 2025
Farva_84
F
M
Progress Thread mnky99 2001 V6 evap core, ac compressor, heater core replacement
  • mnky99
  • Sep 5, 2025
  • 1996 - 2004 SN95 Mustang -General/Talk-
Replies
1
Views
524
1996 - 2004 SN95 Mustang -General/Talk- Sep 5, 2025
mnky99
M
SURGING IDLE / NO IDLE CHECKLIST FOR 1999–2004 MUSTANG GT (4.6L 2V) - Work In Progress
  • Noobz347
  • Aug 30, 2025
  • 1996 - 2004 SN95 Mustang -General/Talk-
Replies
0
Views
935
1996 - 2004 SN95 Mustang -General/Talk- Aug 30, 2025
Noobz347
SURGING IDLE / NO IDLE CHECKLIST FOR 1996–1998 MUSTANG GT (4.6L 2V) - Work In Progress
  • Noobz347
  • Aug 30, 2025
  • 1996 - 2004 SN95 Mustang -General/Talk-
Replies
0
Views
755
1996 - 2004 SN95 Mustang -General/Talk- Aug 30, 2025
Noobz347
Share:
Bluesky Email Share Link
  • Mustang Forums
  • 2005 - 2014 S-197 Mustang -General/Talk-
  • 2005 - 2009 Specific Tech
Menu
Log in

Register

  • Forums
  • What's new
  • Media
  • Resources
  • Contact
  • Sponsor
X

Privacy & Transparency

We use cookies and similar technologies for the following purposes:

  • Personalized ads and content
  • Content measurement and audience insights

Do you accept cookies and these technologies?

X

Privacy & Transparency

We use cookies and similar technologies for the following purposes:

  • Personalized ads and content
  • Content measurement and audience insights

Do you accept cookies and these technologies?