Why does my car battery keep going flat?

Question

I have a Suzuki Jimny that i just purchased second hand. For the first few days it was fine no trouble.

Then I went to the car to unlock it using the remote central locking and nothing happened. I manually opened the door using the key and tried the engine and there was silence. It didn't even turn over.

We called a mechanic out who told us to buy a battery charger to charge the battery. We did this and re-fitted the battery. The car worked fine.

Two days later and the battery was flat again without warning. Just completely flat. I took it out again and charged it, but I'm sure if i put it back in the same thing will happen.

The Suzuki Jimny has been fitted with a CD/DVD player that has a 7" TFT screen that pops out of the dash. Also it has been fitted with an alarm. Could this have anything to do with it?

Any help will be much appreciated. Thanks.

Answer 1

Or the battery is just done. If it has a bad cell or the plate tipped over it could just need a new battery buy one with a warranty just in case you have any kind of electrical draw that is draining the battery.

Answer 2

get it running and take it to autozone or someplace and get a free charging system check, probably a bad alternator or something drawing juice from the battery when the car is shut off.

Answer 3

Test the battery with an electrical tester, should have 12.5volts coming from it. If less then the battery is dead, just because it is new doesn't mean it won't fail.

Also test the volts on the battery whilst the car is running, there should be 14volts, if not then you have a problem with the alternator, either a lose belt or the alternator needs replacing.

Thanks

Simon

Answer 4

Have your battery tested with a load tester to determine if it is ok.  Once that is done turn off all electrical items in the vehicle and with the vehicle off (not running) disconnect one of the battery terminals and then touch it to the battery post.  If you see a spark when you make that connection you have some type of electrical draw. Remember to watch for an under hood light.  The larger the spark the greater the draw. This is a simple do it yourself check not requiring any expensive tools.  Start to disconnect the add on items until your electrical drain stops.  

Answer 5

Sounds like something is draining the battery.... I had a similair on my car ( new one for that ). but mine was a small draw... I left the car for 8 days and it was dead when I came back.  I have left my car's AUTO wipers on and also the AUTO lights on, These things remain ACTIVE to sense rain and light to activte.  So they draw power.  

In your case.. it may be all the appliance on the car were still active and thus draw current.  Jimmy is a small car.  The battery is not made for that many Bling.  Consult with your mechanic on what the biggest Bat you can install in your car. ( the dynamol that supports it and space in under your bonet ).

Answer 6

If the 'gizmo's you have fitted are not turned off when you park up, they will run the battery down. So check to see it they are isolated when you turn the ignition off.

After that it's the local auto electrician who can quickly test the output of the alternator which is what charges your cars battery.

When he is doing this look over his shoulder to see what the meter is telling him so that you then know if he is right or wrong.

he might spot a bad connection  but tell you you need an alternator. so unless you have a regular garage, look out for your self when he is testing.

Answer 7

1.  your alternator may be dead and not holding the battery at a sufficient level.

2.  your new electronic gizmos are drawing even when turned off.  they need to be shut down or disconnected or this will continue to happen.