Why is my new car battery going dead?

Question

The car is a '95 Nissan Maxima. Three weeks ago, I replaced it's dead battery for a new one.

Alternator checked out OK.

Got in the thing this morning--and the new battery was completely dead. There wasn't any lights left on; no doors left ajar--and I don't think that even if a dome light was left on all night, it would totally drain the battery as I found it to be.

Not being mechanically inclined when it comes to complex automobile electronics or engines, this problem is a Scooby-Doo mystery I seek help from fellow Yahoo Answerers who have knowlege in auto mechanics and/or electronics.

What possibly be draining the battery like this?

Answer 1

Do you have a voltage regulator? You probably need a new one. Your Alternator "switch" may need replacing also! Did you check your ground wire on the battery to the car frame? This is a common "drainage" problem in older cars. You should go over every wire & check for wear & proper lead connections. Take a look at HOW your battery is held in place & make sure that when the hood is closed, that it isn't shorting itself out by touching the metal. You may just need new battery cables & a new ground wire! Also check your starter connections & coil wires as these could drain your battery. Maybe you just got a bad battery to start with!

Answer 2

Car Battery Dead

Answer 3

This Site Might Help You.

RE:
Why is my new car battery going dead?
The car is a '95 Nissan Maxima. Three weeks ago, I replaced it's dead battery for a new one.

Alternator checked out OK.

Got in the thing this morning--and the new battery was completely dead. There wasn't any lights left on; no doors left ajar--and I don't think that even...

Answer 4

Check for a short somewhere on the vehicle. A radio, speaker wire, or other accessory that may have been added before the problem started. I had a battery going down all the time and because I didn't drive that particular vehicle at night very often I found that a vanity light on sun visor mirror was left on full time and was draining the battery.

Answer 5

It could possibly cause damage to the battery. A battery that is left uncharged could cause corrosion inside the battery itself, The cells could run dry and the lead plates inside the battery could start to deteriorate, this would make the battery useless. It happens more in hot weather, but it does happen in cold too. The best thing to do is keep the battery fully charged. If its not going to be used for long periods of time, I recommend putting it on a trickle charger. One that will put a small charge just to keep the battery if full charge without the possibility of it over charging it.

Answer 6

Connect a test light between the positive battery terminal and the positive cable after you charge the battery. Then pull one fuse at a time until the light goes out, now you have isolated the circuit causing the draw. Then disconnect one thing on that circuit at a time until you find the component drawing the power. No mystery, just use common sense to break it down.

Answer 7

I totally agree with Kurt on this one, take it to a quality mechanic and go from there, there are TOO many electrical components that can cause an electrical problem. This forum has some good advice but since you are not mechaniclly inclined or most likely not an electrical specialist get it done right so that it won't cause you problems down the road.

GOOD LUCK!!!

Answer 8

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It wont hurt the Battery to sit, just recharge it, and it doesn't hurt to sit on concrete that's a myth, the battery box is insulated, their used to be re-barb running threw concrete so when lightning would strike and run threw the re-barb it would damage the battery, Just re charge it and check the fluid if it has removable caps, add water if needed. if it wont hold a charge get a new battery.

Answer 9

It`s still possible that a lamp is indeed "on",trunk lamps,glove box lamps etc.

I have found however,the usual culprit is something after-market such as a stereo,amp etc.

There are so many different things it could be it would be imposible to get the correct answer from this forum,most techs should be able to figure this out for you in about an hour(there are times diagnosis could lead into 2-3 hours but its rare).

good luck!

Answer 10

Noah_Buddy is on the trail! Check for things that might also be attached to the fuse block as after market. I had a security device that went bad and drained the battery over night until I pulled the fuse on it. Voila!