Battery Draining or other Issue
Thread Starter
Le Mans Master
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 5,141
Likes: 7
From: Metairie Louisiana
Battery Draining or other Issue
I believe something may be draining my battery. I bought a new one because I thought the old one was bad. The new one started when first installed then 6 hours later it would not start. How do I find what could be draining my battery? The other options would be that it's something with the security system or I have a bad new battery. Ideas? I have an after market viper alarm installed by a previous owner. All the accessories were on last time I tried to start it. I believe it read somewhere around 9-10 volts at the time. I'll go check again in a minute. Thanks!
Advanced
Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 50
Likes: 0
From: Surprise AZ
Wow, new battery dead in six hours 
That would have made lots of heat on a big wire that could possibly be shorted.
The only wire I can think of that could have a chance of killing a new battery in six hours without melting and catching fire is the starter wire.
You can leave the head lights on overnight and still start the motor on a new battery.
Not trying to be preachy and I’m sure you’re aware of this but: be careful of a fire.
I’m reluctant to say how to troubleshoot this, you may want to take it to a shop and let them know how quick the new battery discharged so they can be ready.
Troubleshooting at this point runs a risk.
That would have made lots of heat on a big wire that could possibly be shorted.
The only wire I can think of that could have a chance of killing a new battery in six hours without melting and catching fire is the starter wire.
You can leave the head lights on overnight and still start the motor on a new battery.
Not trying to be preachy and I’m sure you’re aware of this but: be careful of a fire.
I’m reluctant to say how to troubleshoot this, you may want to take it to a shop and let them know how quick the new battery discharged so they can be ready.
Troubleshooting at this point runs a risk.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 1,079
Likes: 1
From: Niagara Falls ON
Anything draining that rapidly should be something that you can see. As suggested, look at the starter. See if there is anything that you can see there that isn't right with the wiring.
Connect a digital multi-meter to the battery and set to measure amperage. See what ready you get. 1st remove the fuse that will keep the interior lights on. Next start pulling fuses and replacing until you find something that is drawing lots of current.
Let me know if you need more info.
Connect a digital multi-meter to the battery and set to measure amperage. See what ready you get. 1st remove the fuse that will keep the interior lights on. Next start pulling fuses and replacing until you find something that is drawing lots of current.
Let me know if you need more info.
Thread Starter
Le Mans Master
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 5,141
Likes: 7
From: Metairie Louisiana
Well I went out this morning and it started up right away. I think I have two issues here. The first battery probably was bad because it was draining with no accessories available. This should now be fixed with the new battery.
I think now though the no start was related to the alarm. It's happened at least four times over the years. I go out and the car will not start. I wait about 20 minutes and try again and it starts right up. I believe at least two times it happened within a day of disconnecting the battery.
I have a viper aftermarket alarm installed by a previous owner. Is there any condition with the alarm system that requires a 20 minute waiting period before the car will start again. What about something with the PCM or original VATS that requires a wait period? Anyone know of anything?
Thanks for the replies.
I think now though the no start was related to the alarm. It's happened at least four times over the years. I go out and the car will not start. I wait about 20 minutes and try again and it starts right up. I believe at least two times it happened within a day of disconnecting the battery.
I have a viper aftermarket alarm installed by a previous owner. Is there any condition with the alarm system that requires a 20 minute waiting period before the car will start again. What about something with the PCM or original VATS that requires a wait period? Anyone know of anything?
Thanks for the replies.
Team Owner
Joined: Dec 1999
Posts: 34,873
Likes: 487
From: Lacey WA RVN 68-69
NCM Sinkhole Donor
Did you take the battery back to where you bought it and have them do a load test? It's possible to get a bad battery or one that has sat for so long that it has discharged. A fully charged good battery should read 12.6 to 12.8v. A fully discharged battery will read 12v or just slightly higher.
Even with a fully charged battery, once you turn the ignition to ON, voltage should drop some simply because of the things that get activated by the key. A good battery will runs all sorts of things and still be able to start the engine. Turn on the headlights, the radio, heater fan, leave a door open, and a good fully charged battery will easily start the engine.
The delay in starting could be because of the Viper alarm system. If you have the user manual, does it say anything about a delay timer if it activates for whatever reason?
Even with a fully charged battery, once you turn the ignition to ON, voltage should drop some simply because of the things that get activated by the key. A good battery will runs all sorts of things and still be able to start the engine. Turn on the headlights, the radio, heater fan, leave a door open, and a good fully charged battery will easily start the engine.
The delay in starting could be because of the Viper alarm system. If you have the user manual, does it say anything about a delay timer if it activates for whatever reason?
Cruising
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 14
Likes: 0
From: Winnsboro Tx
I had a battery drain problem. I noticed that here was only 1 light under the hood. I tested the position of the hood and descovered that the switch did not alway cut the light off. I removed the light and good news no more battery drainning problem.
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Thread Starter
Le Mans Master
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 5,141
Likes: 7
From: Metairie Louisiana
This definitely seems that it is not a battery issue and something to do with VATS or the viper. Maybe it's time to get a new alarm installed.
Last edited by rickneworleansla; Jul 17, 2011 at 02:22 PM.
Intermediate
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 29
Likes: 0
From: Crestview FL
Had a similar problem last week. Hooked up the meter and had no amp draw at all. Thought meter might be bad so I used a test light and it lit when I turned things on, but was off with key removed...
Luckily I just happened to hear a very faint high pitched whine coming from the diodes in the alternator with engine off and key out. Pulled fuses and it went away with the secondary fan fuse. Swapped relays with primary and it the noise came back on the other circuit. Picked up a new relay and battery drain problem solved...
Wierd how it would drain battery so quickly without showing on meter or with the test light.
Linn
Luckily I just happened to hear a very faint high pitched whine coming from the diodes in the alternator with engine off and key out. Pulled fuses and it went away with the secondary fan fuse. Swapped relays with primary and it the noise came back on the other circuit. Picked up a new relay and battery drain problem solved...
Wierd how it would drain battery so quickly without showing on meter or with the test light.
Linn