Battery issues
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Aug 2017
Posts: 352
Likes: 47
From: Bham, Alabama
Battery issues
***SOLVED***
This feels like a dumb question, but I’m going to ask it anyway. My battery loses charge when it is disconnected. I had it tested at AutoZone, and they told me the battery was good. Can the battery test as good but still lose charge, if not connected? I have a quick disconnect on my positive terminal and leave the negative terminal connected. Is there some way it’s losing charge being connected to the negative terminal? Again, this seems like a dumb question.
Before I buy a new battery, I wanna make sure it’s not a problem other than the battery.
thank you
This feels like a dumb question, but I’m going to ask it anyway. My battery loses charge when it is disconnected. I had it tested at AutoZone, and they told me the battery was good. Can the battery test as good but still lose charge, if not connected? I have a quick disconnect on my positive terminal and leave the negative terminal connected. Is there some way it’s losing charge being connected to the negative terminal? Again, this seems like a dumb question.
Before I buy a new battery, I wanna make sure it’s not a problem other than the battery.
thank you
Last edited by Hig116; Dec 3, 2023 at 03:08 PM. Reason: solved
Race Director
Joined: Nov 2006
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From: Sunshine Coast, Queensland, Australia
2025 C3 of the Year Finalist - Modified
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Cruise-In VIII Veteran
The one thing you left out was the amount of time it takes to loose charge.
All batteries will lose charge over time.
Is it going flat over night? And your certain your disconnect is disconnecting?
Is it going flat in 3 months?
If it's going flat disconnected in under a week, yes I would purchase a new battery.
All batteries will lose charge over time.
Is it going flat over night? And your certain your disconnect is disconnecting?
Is it going flat in 3 months?
If it's going flat disconnected in under a week, yes I would purchase a new battery.
Race Director
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 13,193
Likes: 7,791
From: Sunshine Coast, Queensland, Australia
2025 C3 of the Year Finalist - Modified
2024 C3 of the Year Finalist- Modified
2022 C3 of the Year Finalist - Modified
Cruise-In VIII Veteran
How could that possibly change anything? If it's disconnected, it's disconnected.
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Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Aug 2017
Posts: 352
Likes: 47
From: Bham, Alabama
Keith
Race Director
Joined: May 2006
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Is this something AutoZone offers? The will keep you battery, charge it and then test? I didn't know this or do this if they do. I just handed them the battery and they put their battery tester on it. In fact, it was NAPA, not AutoZone. They told me it had good cranking amps and just needed a charge.
Keith
Keith
Melting Slicks
Joined: Feb 2018
Posts: 2,322
Likes: 720
From: Marietta GA
I had a NAPA branded battery tested at my local NAPA store with their little hand held tester, guess what? They gave me the same story, battery was good, only needed charging. Oh, did I mention that is was still under warranty. That was the las time I purchased a battery from NAPA. I wonder . . . if the battery was out of warranty, what would they have told me?
Race Director
Joined: Mar 2017
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From: Virginia
When they tested it, they tested capacity, not self discharge.
Perhaps you can save it with a desulfating charger. But it might be easier to replace it.
Are you 100% sure it is disconnected fully, and still discharging? It is not uncommon for diodes to fail in your alternator, which will kill a battery in a day or three. I only ask because the alternator circuit does NOT go through your fuse box, and I haven't seen any pictures posted in this thread.
Perhaps you can save it with a desulfating charger. But it might be easier to replace it.
Are you 100% sure it is disconnected fully, and still discharging? It is not uncommon for diodes to fail in your alternator, which will kill a battery in a day or three. I only ask because the alternator circuit does NOT go through your fuse box, and I haven't seen any pictures posted in this thread.
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Aug 2017
Posts: 352
Likes: 47
From: Bham, Alabama
I marked this as SOLVED as I decided to buy a new battery. I had the battery on charge all day yesterday (trickle) and it was working fine. I accidentally knocked the charger lose from the battery and this morning the battery was dead. Well, not dead, as it showed 11.7 volts, but it would not turn over the engine.
So I thew in the towel and just bought a new battery. Problem solved for now.
Thanks to everyone who took the time to respond and offer their thoughts. I appreciate it.
Keith
So I thew in the towel and just bought a new battery. Problem solved for now.
Thanks to everyone who took the time to respond and offer their thoughts. I appreciate it.
Keith