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  • 1979 - 1995 (Fox, SN95.0, & 2.3L) -General/Talk-
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car draining battery

  • Thread starter Thread starter bobbyd
  • Start date Start date Jan 8, 2006

bobbyd

New Member
Sep 8, 2004
312
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0
San Antonio/Los Angeles
Jan 8, 2006
#1
  • Jan 8, 2006
  • #1
ok guys heres the deal the last week of november I replaced the battery with a new one because my car wouldnt keep the battery fully charged so I though the problem was the battery...well yesterday when i tried to open the doors (my car has pop door opener) it wouldnt click so once i checked the voltage on the battery it was 1.660 so its super drained. anyways my question is how can i check what is draining my car battery? Im thinkning its either the audio system or the doors.

heres how my audio system is. the power wire is running from the battery to a capacitor and from the capacitor i have power going to the amp and also one to a crossover.

and the doors came like that when i bough the car so i havent messed with any of the wires.

ps - when i put the key on the car i sometimes hear like a static sound behind the cd deck.
 

88gt

Founding Member
Aug 2, 1999
794
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0
Drillers cabin
Jan 8, 2006
#2
  • Jan 8, 2006
  • #2
Mine would slowly drain the batt. also...I did the 3G alt. swap, problem went away....
could be an issue with the alternator...



Jim
 

bobbyd

New Member
Sep 8, 2004
312
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0
San Antonio/Los Angeles
Jan 8, 2006
#3
  • Jan 8, 2006
  • #3
88gt said:
Mine would slowly drain the batt. also...I did the 3G alt. swap, problem went away....
could be an issue with the alternator...



Jim
Click to expand...
thats the next thing im going to do get the 3G alt swap on it.
 

jrichker

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Mar 10, 2000
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Dublin GA
Jan 8, 2006
#4
  • Jan 8, 2006
  • #4
Typically it is something draining the battery. Small things like glove box or courtesy lights are often the culprits. If you have an aftermarket stereo or alarm system, it is also suspect.

The ideal method is to disconnect the positive terminal, and connect a Digital Multimeter (DVM) between the positive terminal on the battery and the positive cable. Set the DVM on a low current scale of 2-5 amps if it doesn't auto range. Watch the current draw, and then start pulling out fuses. When you see a sudden drop in the current, that circuit is the likely culprit. Note that the computer, radio & clock will draw less than 1/10 amp to keep the settings alive.

See http://assets.fluke.com/appnotes/automotive/beatbook.pdf. You will need the Adobe Acrobat viewer which is also a free download – http://www.adobe.com/products/acrobat/readstep2.html
 

Bad92GT

The 5 Minute Plan Man
Jun 10, 2004
492
0
0
SC
Jan 8, 2006
#5
  • Jan 8, 2006
  • #5
probably you using that audio equipment is draining it to quickly for the battery to recharge.. you should upgrade the alt so that it will charge faster and keep up..
 
M

Marlboro_Man

Member
Sep 30, 2005
437
1
18
Houston, TX
Jan 8, 2006
#6
  • Jan 8, 2006
  • #6
What jrichker said!

Also if you still have the stock alternator I would go ahead and swap it out for a 3g alt, most people use the 130 amp 3g and that is what I used . However I am going to swap the 130 amp for the 200 amp soon and you also might consider using the 200 amp since your running a nice stereo system in your car.
 

bobbyd

New Member
Sep 8, 2004
312
0
0
San Antonio/Los Angeles
Jan 9, 2006
#7
  • Jan 9, 2006
  • #7
TheChevyEater said:
probably you using that audio equipment is draining it to quickly for the battery to recharge.. you should upgrade the alt so that it will charge faster and keep up..
Click to expand...
the weird thing is that i havent listlen to the audio system while the car is off. but yea i am going to replace the alt.
 

bobbyd

New Member
Sep 8, 2004
312
0
0
San Antonio/Los Angeles
Jan 9, 2006
#8
  • Jan 9, 2006
  • #8
Marlboro_Man said:
What jrichker said!

Also if you still have the stock alternator I would go ahead and swap it out for a 3g alt, most people use the 130 amp 3g and that is what I used . However I am going to swap the 130 amp for the 200 amp soon and you also might consider using the 200 amp since your running a nice stereo system in your car.
Click to expand...
does the 200 amp and the 130 instal the same way?
 
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