Battery Draining Issues? Anyone?

[#snatchattack]

Ever read a Chilton's manual? The first step in ALL repairs, according to them is "Disconnect the negative cable from the battery".

Do you have a multi-meter? Set it to measure current and connect it to one of the cables and its post. Make sure it's able to handle at least 10A and if it isn't designed for that much, get one that has a clamp for larger loads. Read the current and start pulling fuses, one at a time. When you get to the one that draws the most, find out why. If you find that the draw is more than a few milli-amps and the only thing connected is the alternator, have it checked- the bridge rectifier can fail and cause this. It's a good time to think about upgrading the alternator's charging capability- that case can now be upgraded to about 115Amps according to the owner of a shop that I use for alternators and starters.

I never recommend replacing when a rebuild can be done- there's nothing to change and it's a direct fit.

No I have not ever read that manual I will keep it in mind! I think we can get a multi-meter. So I will try that test ^^, when I get a chance. If that is the case I will have to find a place to rebuild the alternator. Thanks for the info!

[CantRepeat]

How are they still in business?

Part of the "Unsolved Mysteries" series.

[JimN]

If you have a good shop that can do the rebuild. We've got a local shop but he probably has a 35% failure rate on his rebuilds.

How are they still in business?

[CantRepeat]

Ever read a Chilton's manual? The first step in ALL repairs, according to them is "Disconnect the negative cable from the battery".

Do you have a multi-meter? Set it to measure current and connect it to one of the cables and its post. Make sure it's able to handle at least 10A and if it isn't designed for that much, get one that has a clamp for larger loads. Read the current and start pulling fuses, one at a time. When you get to the one that draws the most, find out why. If you find that the draw is more than a few milli-amps and the only thing connected is the alternator, have it checked- the bridge rectifier can fail and cause this. It's a good time to think about upgrading the alternator's charging capability- that case can now be upgraded to about 115Amps according to the owner of a shop that I use for alternators and starters.

I never recommend replacing when a rebuild can be done- there's nothing to change and it's a direct fit.

If you have a good shop that can do the rebuild. We've got a local shop but he probably has a 35% failure rate on his rebuilds.

[JimN]

I have a 2000 XStar and I am having serious battery draining issues. Went through too many batteries in my opinion so far. The positive has been disconnected for a little bit, while we were working on the new stereo. The positive was left disconnected and the negative was still connected. Came back to complete the stereo install a few weeks later (I work alot) and the battery was dead as could be. First thought was bad battery, but installed a new battery (was suppose to be added as a second battery, but that is on hold) the positive was disconnected and when connecting the negative, it sparked. Second thought is a bad ground... Is that possible? Any ideas, thoughts, comments, suggestions?

Ever read a Chilton's manual? The first step in ALL repairs, according to them is "Disconnect the negative cable from the battery".

Do you have a multi-meter? Set it to measure current and connect it to one of the cables and its post. Make sure it's able to handle at least 10A and if it isn't designed for that much, get one that has a clamp for larger loads. Read the current and start pulling fuses, one at a time. When you get to the one that draws the most, find out why. If you find that the draw is more than a few milli-amps and the only thing connected is the alternator, have it checked- the bridge rectifier can fail and cause this. It's a good time to think about upgrading the alternator's charging capability- that case can now be upgraded to about 115Amps according to the owner of a shop that I use for alternators and starters.

I never recommend replacing when a rebuild can be done- there's nothing to change and it's a direct fit.

[#snatchattack]

Ok, if a battery has nothing connected to one post, doesnt matter which one, and it goes "dead" there is not a drain issue, but a battery issue. A battery cant be drained if its not connected.

With an audio amp wired up, there is typically a spark when trying to connect a cable. Thats due to the CAPs charging up inside the amp. Does not indicate an unwanted draw though.

Thanks. I plan on trying to leave the positive disconnected for a few days on this new battery and see if it drains again. I did forget to mention we added a battery switch a few weeks ago too, not sure if there could be an issue there. I am no electrical person, I usually try to avoid it at all cost. I had a draining issue before I added the battery switch, but only when both cable were connected.

[MLA]

Ok, if a battery has nothing connected to one post, doesnt matter which one, and it goes "dead" there is not a drain issue, but a battery issue. A battery cant be drained if its not connected.

With an audio amp wired up, there is typically a spark when trying to connect a cable. Thats due to the CAPs charging up inside the amp. Does not indicate an unwanted draw though.

[#snatchattack]

I have a 2000 XStar and I am having serious battery draining issues. Went through too many batteries in my opinion so far. The positive has been disconnected for a little bit, while we were working on the new stereo. The positive was left disconnected and the negative was still connected. Came back to complete the stereo install a few weeks later (I work alot) and the battery was dead as could be. First thought was bad battery, but installed a new battery (was suppose to be added as a second battery, but that is on hold) the positive was disconnected and when connecting the negative, it sparked. Second thought is a bad ground... Is that possible? Any ideas, thoughts, comments, suggestions?