Why is my battery always going dead

Question

my 2000 cadilac catera battey goes dead when not being driven daily i have replaced the alternater and ther are no accesories being left on what could be draining the juice while it is sitting?

Answer 1

You probably have a bad battery but there may also be something drawing power when the car is not running. It don't take much to run the battery down. You can disconect the + side of the battery and check to see if there is any curent draw between the cable and the battery post with an amp meter.

Answer 2

Very good article here, covers possible causes and how to diagnose.

http://www.aa1car.com/library/battery_ru...

Other links at bottom of page cover Battery Testing + Starting & Charging System Troubleshooting

Answer 3

If there is no constant draw on the battery (something staying on) then the battery is not holding a charge and you need to replace the battery.

Answer 4

It could be the battery, charge it up and take it to almost any major auto parts store, they can do a load test and tell its condition. Next would be to see whats draining the battery. The easiest way to check is to disconnect the negative battery cable and hook up a test light in series (test light probe touching battery post test light clip attached to battery cable). Now with the key off start pulling fuses until the test light goes off. That way you can locate the circuit that has the short. Some circuits you know have draw, like the radio will always have some draw for memory and the seats have memory. But circuits like dash lights and a/c should have no draw when the car is off. This way you can isolate where your problem is and start looking in a specific circuit.

Answer 5

your ecm the lock computer many small things drain the battery

you ever hear of battery tender it charges your battery while car is not in use and unplugs fast before you go

Answer 6

You need a new battery. The battery is no longer holding a charge for more than a day. Get new battery problem solved.

Answer 7

most parts stores will test your starting and charging system for free.  don't just throw parts at it have it tested.

Answer 8

Your alternator was probably still good, the problem with the battery is the battery itself. It sounds like you have a dead cell and maybe a few dead cell. Having dead cells inside your battery (will not) allow it to hold a charge. In other words, get a new battery.