Electrical starting issues, please help!!
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 199
Likes: 1
From: tacoma wa
Electrical starting issues, please help!!!
Ok, so, 2002 coupe automatic. I've been having a problem with the electronics. I can jump the car fine. When the car is running, the volts stay at about 14.0, pretty good. I have already replaced the battery. When I shut off the car, the electricity just DROPS. My battery won't start my car in 5-10 seconds FLAT. Each time I jump the car, all of my memory settings are reset. I had an aftermarket stereo system including an amp and subs, aftermarket alarm, and i have a remote starter. I am also having problems with my stock alarm (which I still have in the car) randomly flashing its lights when I use it. The alternator has to be good, because the car drives around fine, right? The battery is new.. I disconnected everything aftermarket from my battery, there are only the two wires connected to the terminals. I'm baffled as to what could drain my battery so fast! If any of you could help me, I'd GREATLY appreciate it!! I just got back from a deployment, I love and miss my baby, but I can't drive her 
BTW, my wife said that the car only does it sometimes, sometimes she's a complete lady and the battery doesn't drain. But lately, she does it all of the time.. But yah, free appreciation given to anyone who can help!
BTW, my wife said that the car only does it sometimes, sometimes she's a complete lady and the battery doesn't drain. But lately, she does it all of the time.. But yah, free appreciation given to anyone who can help!
Last edited by jcalvin; Sep 7, 2010 at 02:51 AM.
Tech Contributor
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 10,962
Likes: 29
From: Van Buren Arkansas
Wounded Warrior Escort '11
Do you know how to use a multimeter/DVM with a AMP measurement feature? You'll need to have it in place between the battery and battery cable with the ignition off, measuring the amount of current draw. You will see a very small amount of drain that keeps the PCM and memories intact but we're talking milliamps. When you connect or disconnect the battery, are you seeing a large spark? If so, you can start pulling fuses, one at a time, until you find which one is having a large spark...again, iginition off. I'd be disconnecting some of that add-on stuff and see if the problem goes away.
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 199
Likes: 1
From: tacoma wa
I'll give that a shot, but I am starting to think that there isn't a way that with every single thing on in the car that it could drain my battery in 3 seconds. What I'm thinking is that it might be a loose ground wire.. I'm trying to find online where all of the grounds attach, good luck to me! Thanks very much for the help, I'll let you know how it goes.
Tech Contributor
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 19,401
Likes: 1,143
From: Dyer, IN
I'll give that a shot, but I am starting to think that there isn't a way that with every single thing on in the car that it could drain my battery in 3 seconds. What I'm thinking is that it might be a loose ground wire.. I'm trying to find online where all of the grounds attach, good luck to me! Thanks very much for the help, I'll let you know how it goes.
Tech Contributor
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 10,962
Likes: 29
From: Van Buren Arkansas
Wounded Warrior Escort '11
Lose grounds are not going to drain your battery. I'm thinking that your amps are not powering down or you've got a short on a possibly non-fused circuit. Sure hope you don't have any non-fused circuits but depends on the installer of your aftermarket items. Simply put, you just can't drain a fully charged battery in 3 seconds without the battery exploding. Maybe it really isn't fully charged as you thought? Sorry, just re-read your first posting saying that you disconnected the added on items. There have been lots of posts regarding brand new bad batteries....
6th Gear
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 6
Likes: 0
From: Statesville NC
I've had problems with those crappy side terminal battery connectors in the past on other vehicles, particularly if corrosion has ever been an issue. They worked fine but on occasion when I'd try to start and the real load hit them, it was like I didn't even have a battery. Giggling them or clamping jumper cables on them and all was well.... until the next time. I changed to top-post battery and connectors...... never had the problem again.
Tech Contributor
Joined: Dec 1999
Posts: 32,910
Likes: 2,402
From: Anthony TX
CI 6,7,8,9,11 Vet
St. Jude Donor '08
Thanks for serving brother!!!!
Your battery can NOT drain in seconds. You either bave a bad connection, defective battery or bad battery cable.
Strongly recommend that you remove the battery and have it LOAD TESTED at one of the parts stores. They will make sure that it can provide the proper current and hold a good charge.
I helped a forum member last night who had a completly dead battery. It was three months old One minute it was good and BAM! The battery was completly dead. They do go bad. I had a 3 month old OPTIMA RED TOP do the same thing.
IF,, the battery checks out good, check the main ground terminal on the frame by the battery G-104/108. Its easy to find. Just follow the small ground wire on the negative battery terminal to the frame. Then check the main ground on the passenger side of the bolck by the starter.
Then check the POSITIVE battery terminal on the starter solenoid. Those connections must be clean and tight. The positive battery cable also goes to the engine compartment fuse box to the B+ terminal and from there a positive wire goes to the passengers foot well fuse box.
My bet is you have a bad battery
Im sending you my phone number in a PM if you have any questions.
BC
Your battery can NOT drain in seconds. You either bave a bad connection, defective battery or bad battery cable.
Strongly recommend that you remove the battery and have it LOAD TESTED at one of the parts stores. They will make sure that it can provide the proper current and hold a good charge.
I helped a forum member last night who had a completly dead battery. It was three months old One minute it was good and BAM! The battery was completly dead. They do go bad. I had a 3 month old OPTIMA RED TOP do the same thing.
IF,, the battery checks out good, check the main ground terminal on the frame by the battery G-104/108. Its easy to find. Just follow the small ground wire on the negative battery terminal to the frame. Then check the main ground on the passenger side of the bolck by the starter.
Then check the POSITIVE battery terminal on the starter solenoid. Those connections must be clean and tight. The positive battery cable also goes to the engine compartment fuse box to the B+ terminal and from there a positive wire goes to the passengers foot well fuse box.
My bet is you have a bad battery
Im sending you my phone number in a PM if you have any questions.
BC
Last edited by Bill Curlee; Sep 8, 2010 at 09:39 AM.
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6th Gear
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 6
Likes: 0
From: Statesville NC
Seems to me if it starts easily with jumper cables clamped on the battery, your starter and block connections are probably OK and would still point to a bad battery as Bill said or battery connection problems like I had.
