Why does my car battery go dead after a few days?

Some have had the dead battery problem because of a bad cell in the battery, faulty battery cables, a bad diode in the alternator, or even a problem in the car’s radio. A dead battery after a few days has been a problem on several makes of car, not just my 2012 Hyundai Sonata.

When did I put the new battery in my solstice?

Well, I am also back at it….put the new battery in six weeks ago, everything ran fine and have had the car out on multiple occasions. In fact drove it on the 4th of July, went out yesterday morning and turned the key, click, no start, everything lights up, good power et….but no joy. Charged the battery and it read 12.9 volts, but no start.

What causes a car battery to drain in the morning?

If your alternator has a bad diode, your battery can drain. The bad alternator diode can cause the circuit to charge even when the engine is shut off, and you end up in the morning with a car that won’t start. 5. Extreme Temperature

How often should a car battery be replaced?

If your car consistently won’t start, it’s possible that the battery is worn out. You should generally replace your car battery every 2-4 years. If old, or poorly maintained, your battery may die on a regular basis.

Can a car battery go dead after a few days?

When I returned home, the battery was dead. I have never had that experience on any car ever I drove. This Instructable applies to my car, but with all of the modern electronics running in the background on today’s automobiles, your car may have this problem, too.

How often does a car battery die from heat?

Is the car only driven every 3 or 4 days or does it start for the first couple of days, then fail on the 3rd or 4th day of use? Does the battery have an insulating blanket. It’s pretty tight under the hood and the engine heat kills batteries fairly quickly (every 2.5 to 3.5 years).

Is it worth it to get a new battery?

Another (new) battery is expensive — and a lot of work to change. You can hook up an ammeter for virtually free (well OK, you may have to spend ten bucks for a meter at Harbor Freight). If there is no leakage — or you can prove the alternator is working — then get another battery. Click to expand…

Can a car battery last longer if it is not charged?

However, some batteries can last years longer if taken care of and not run down while the charging system is not running. Batteries that are allowed to freeze over an extremely cold winter may also have problems holding a charge.

Can a loose battery cable cause a car to die?

In my years as a mechanic, one thing I have learned is that an old battery or loose battery cables can cause really big problems that make it appear that something complicated is wrong with your vehicle.

How often does a battery die in a car?

In the last two months, the battery has died completely about three times, and I couldn’t start my car. The mechanic says I need to drive the car more. (There’s only about 25,000 miles on it right now, after two years). Typically, my car sits in the garage for 4-5 days between times I drive it.

Why does my car battery keep running dead?

If your battery has been run dead too many times, has too much internal sediment buildup or is simply too old, it may be losing its ability to hold a charge. This means as soon as you turn off the engine, the battery starts discharging on its own even if the alternator works fine. When this happens, it’s time for a new battery.

What to do if your car battery dies from sitting?

In the event your car battery dies from sitting too long, try jump-starting your car. This will usually get your car going again if your battery and vehicle are in relatively good condition. If that doesn’t work, it’s probably time for a replacement battery. [5] Also check to see if there are any signs of a bad alternator.

How long does a car battery last when it is disconnected?

Disconnected car battery Your battery will drain faster when it’s connected to your vehicle than when it’s disconnected. When stored properly, a detached car battery can last up to six months. Like new batteries, the key to making it last is to recharge it regularly.

How long does a car battery last without driving?

How long does a car battery last without driving? A car battery will typically last about four weeks , but it will vary based on your vehicle and age of the battery. [1] , [2] As mentioned, a car battery dies fast in hotter weather, but its discharge will also be accelerated if your vehicle has more high-end electronics to power.

Why does my car not start after a new battery is installed?

Another reason as to why your car might not start after having a new battery installed is due to faulty fuses and ignition switches.

Is it possible for a car battery to die while sitting?

Yes. Car batteries will die even when the vehicle is sitting. This is because car batteries self-discharge naturally. The battery is not only used when the car is in motion. However, accessories in the vehicle tend to drain the car battery even when it is idle.

What would cause a car battery to keep dying?

Getty Images. Some of the most common reasons for a car battery to die repeatedly include loose or corroded battery connections, persistent electrical drains, charging problems, constantly demanding more power than the alternator can provide, and even extreme weather.

Why does my car battery die randomly?

Some of the most common reasons for a car battery to die repeatedly include loose or corroded battery connections, persistent electrical drains, charging problems, constantly demanding more power than the alternator can provide, and even extreme weather.

What are the signs of a weak car battery?

Dim Headlights. Dim or weak headlight beams can often be a sign of a weak car battery if the battery lacks sufficient power to power the vehicle’s electrical accessories, including the headlights.

Why does my battery keep losing its charge?

but you still get the odd dead spot.
Apps running in the background. There’s a difference between minimising and quitting an app.
You’re not charging properly.
You’ve got Wi-Fi and GPS enabled.
Your phone is too hot.

In the event your car battery dies from sitting too long, try jump-starting your car. This will usually get your car going again if your battery and vehicle are in relatively good condition. If that doesn’t work, it’s probably time for a replacement battery. [5] Also check to see if there are any signs of a bad alternator.

When do you know your car battery is at fault?

This situation is pretty straightforward to diagnose, and it’s an even stronger indication that your battery is at fault. Your battery powers all the accessories and lights in your car, especially when the alternator is not running.

Can a car battery be too dead to jump start?

There is probably nothing worse than a dead car battery amid your possessions—at least, among your battery items, anyway. YES, a car battery can get so dead it will not receive a jump start anymore.

What does it mean when a car battery dies?

By ‘car battery dies,’ we mean to say that the battery discharges beyond the point where it’s got adequate power to run the car. The list of issues that can happen to drain your battery is never-ending.

When to know if your alternator or battery is dead?

If the engine starts but dies immediately, your alternator probably isn’t keeping your battery charged. If a jump starts and keeps your car running, but the car can’t start again off of its own power, a dead battery is likely your answer.

Why does my cell phone battery keep dying?

Network coverage is much better than it used to be, but you still get the odd dead spot. Your smartphone is always scanning for a signal and scanning is quite a battery-intensive task. But if there’s no signal to be had, it’s pointless letting your smartphone do all that hard work for no reward.

When does a car battery start to drain?

If the battery drains when the vehicle sits for three or four days, that’s a lower amp draw than one that drains the battery overnight. Discovering the source of an electrical draw is a process of elimination. First, check the easy stuff.

Why does my car battery die overnight?

The diode circuit being closed and charging can drain a cars battery overnight. Other things that can cause a battery to die overnight or when the engine is off is something left plugged into the 12 volt system such as cell phones, or a short in the wiring harness.

Why would a car battery go dead overnight?

A malfunctioning diode also causes a battery drain when the car is parked. Since diodes allow current to flow in one direction only, a leaky or failed diode keeps the charging circuit running even when the engine is switched off, thus draining the battery and causing it to die overnight.

Can a car battery go dead from sitting?

The most common cause of the battery going dead after sitting for a short while would be a drain from the electrical system on the vehicle. Most often this can be traced back to a light in the vehicle that is either left on or will not turn off automatically.

What does it mean when your battery drains overnight?

Why the Battery Drains Overnight A slow battery drain when everything is off is called a parasitic power loss. This happens when something – a glovebox light, an amplifier, any electrical component – is pulling power from the battery when it shouldn’t.

Why does my car battery drain after I Turn Off the key?

2. Parasitic Drain Parasitic drain is due to components in your vehicle continuing to run after the key is turned off. Some parasitic drain is normal – your battery delivers enough energy to keep things, like your clock, radio presets, and security alarm operational at all times.

What should I do if my car battery keeps Diying?

Do this, get a battery charger for your car, charge the battery, and when it’s done measure/record the voltage when the battery is disconnected from the car and connected to the car. Then turn the car on (that is engine running) and measure/record the voltage again.

Why does my new battery keep going dead?

Your car battery could keep dying from a variety of reasons such as age, a bad alternator, human error, and more. 1. Human Error 2. Parasitic Drain 3. Faulty Charging

Why does your battery keep going dead?

Some of the most common reasons for a car battery to die repeatedly include loose or corroded battery connections, persistent electrical drains, charging problems, constantly demanding more power than the alternator can provide, and even extreme weather .

Will a dead battery recharge itself?

No, don’t just replace a dead battery right away. But if the battery dies close to five (5) years, replacing it should be the best choice. The good news is if a battery dies prematurely, or less than two or five years, jump starting it will allow you to recharge it.

How long does an unused car battery last?

An unused new battery will have a much shorter life span if it’s not recharged often. [2] Your battery will drain faster when it’s connected to your vehicle than when it’s disconnected. When stored properly, a detached car battery can last up to six months. Like new batteries, the key to making it last is to recharge it regularly.

Why does my Pontiac Solstice battery keep dying?

At least one was a brush/contact issue where the starter wouldn’t work if the armature was in a particular position. Similarly, an intermittent starter relay could cause the same symptom. Two weeks ago my car was dead, charged battery and car was okay for an hour but then battery died again.

If your car consistently won’t start, it’s possible that the battery is worn out. You should generally replace your car battery every 2-4 years. If old, or poorly maintained, your battery may die on a regular basis.

What to do when your car battery goes down?

The dealer said new cars of all makes and models have so many electronics items running in the background, even when everything is “off,” that the battery on newer cars will go down fairly quickly. When my friend asked what to do, the dealer advised buying a trickle charger.

Can a car battery be charged 24 hours a day?

While this will keep your battery charged there are two flaws with this approach. First, when you leave your car battery hooked up to a charger 24 hours a day it will overcharge it and diminish its capacity to hold a charge.

How long does a car battery last for?

For most cars, a car battery should be able to hold enough charge to sit for up to a month before it becomes a problem. For higher-end cars with more features, the battery can be depleted in as little as 2 weeks.

Can a bad battery cause a car to discharge?

A bad battery can not hold a charge, and that may be causing the discharge in 3 days or so, or it could be a parasitic drain. Or a short in the wiring somewhere. You can get a meter for $5 and check every circuit. The meter is good for lots of other home and auto uses.

If the battery drains when the vehicle sits for three or four days, that’s a lower amp draw than one that drains the battery overnight. Discovering the source of an electrical draw is a process of elimination. First, check the easy stuff.

What should I do if my car battery is dead?

Start the car with the dead battery. If it starts, let it idle for at least 20 minutes, or go on a five-mile drive so the battery can recharge. If it still won’t start, repeat the process. Jumpstarting is one way to get your car started again, but remember that every time a battery is fully discharged its life becomes shorter.

Can a car run when the battery is off?

Any electronic device with memory settings, like a clock and radio station presets, draws power from the battery while the vehicle ignition is off. This drain is so small, you can leave a modern truck sitting for a week or more and it will still start up and run fine.

Step one, after getting a jump or charging your battery, is to test your battery or visit your favorite auto parts store for a free battery test. Batteries need to be replaced every few years as part of regular maintenance. Your battery could be near the end of its service life and it should be recycled and replaced with a new one.

When is a car battery really dead?

A common reason for a dead car battery is that it’s been drained by the lights being left on, without the engine running. However, if your battery has totally run out, it’s likely that simply charging it won’t work. If jump starting or recharging doesn’t get your car going, you may have a more serious problem.

What do you do when your car battery dies?

If you are facing a problem with a dead car battery, just stay calm and don’t panic. When your automotive battery dies, all you have to do is to supply it with power from an external source. Doing this will help your battery to do its main purpose, igniting the engine and start your vehicle.

How do you charge a completely dead car battery?

In order to charge a dead car battery, a set of jumper cables and a functional car with a charged battery is required. You will then have the ability to connect the batteries to one another using the jumper cables, and recharge the dead battery by transferring energy from the functional battery.

How often does a car battery go down?

Check that the interior and underhood lights are going off with the doors and hood closed. There are roughly 10-12 interior lights in the Blazer, at 1 amp current draw apiece, they can run the battery down quickly.

What causes a car battery to drain while driving?

Even small drains, like the memory function in your car radio, may kill a very weak battery. Corroded or loose battery connections. Corroded battery connections can prevent the charging system from topping off your battery when you are driving. Loose battery connections can also cause problems.

Can a new battery cause a car to die?

I bought a new battery and a week later the car is dead again. The car has been sitting in the shop for a week and they do not know what is wrong?:cryin: Its not the altinater?

Why does my car battery keep going bad?

If you start the car and then only drive it about five miles or less, then you are not recharging the battery sufficiently. Such repeated draining of the battery will cause it to go bad pretty quick. I suggest using a battery charge tender to keep the battery charged between uses.

Can a bad alternator kill a car battery?

A defective alternator can kill a battery if bad diodes or an internal voltage regulator prevents it from charging the battery. Or a diode can leak, allowing current to flow after the vehicle engine is shut off.

How often should I idle my car battery?

Researching on the internet was of little help. Someone suggested idling the car for 15 minutes every other day. Another explanation was that these days, the whole charging-and-depleting system has improved so much that the battery is fine for a month.

Why is my car battery not starting properly?

As corrosion develops on the ports, the connection consistently grows weaker. There is less metal to metal contact and therefore it becomes harder for power to transfer from the battery to the starter. If you’re having battery problems, check your ports to see if they’re corroded.

When does a car battery go into disuse?

Disuse If you’ve let your car sit idle for awhile without using it, usually at least two weeks or more, then your battery might have lost enough power that it can no longer start your engine.

How long does a car battery last without driving? A car battery will typically last about four weeks , but it will vary based on your vehicle and age of the battery. [1] , [2] As mentioned, a car battery dies fast in hotter weather, but its discharge will also be accelerated if your vehicle has more high-end electronics to power.

As corrosion develops on the ports, the connection consistently grows weaker. There is less metal to metal contact and therefore it becomes harder for power to transfer from the battery to the starter. If you’re having battery problems, check your ports to see if they’re corroded.

Researching on the internet was of little help. Someone suggested idling the car for 15 minutes every other day. Another explanation was that these days, the whole charging-and-depleting system has improved so much that the battery is fine for a month.

Some have had the dead battery problem because of a bad cell in the battery, faulty battery cables, a bad diode in the alternator, or even a problem in the car’s radio. A dead battery after a few days has been a problem on several makes of car, not just my 2012 Hyundai Sonata.

Can a broken fuse kill a car battery?

Sometimes a broken fuse can drain a battery, even when your car is off. For electrical problems, you’ll want to get a skilled mechanic involved. Though the voltage produced by a car battery isn’t enough to kill a person, there are other hidden dangers that can physically wound you and total your car.

What should I do if my car battery goes out?

Herculean strength isn’t necessary, but the cables should be snug and not move around or come off of the battery posts. You can also check your owners manual for any procedures or drive cycles you can perform to “teach” the car functions it may have lost while the battery was disconnected.

What happens when a car battery is disconnected?

There can be more than twenty modules on each vehicle and many of these modules have some sort of “learned” memory, which may be lost when the battery is disconnected. This can cause something minor, like the clock to lose its time, but it can also lead to engine stalling or even a failed smog inspection.

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