I wanted someone to verify this for me...my car battery keeps going dead, If I drive it everyday, it never gives me a problem, not the first. But if I go for about 2 or 3 days without cranking it, it goes deader than hell! Should I get an alternator? Does this pretty much sound to be the problem? I am not leaving ANYTHING on, I have checked this time and time again! So my question is Alternator, or do some more troubleshooting? Thanks in advance!

 

The alternator is fine if when you drive it everyday it doesn't die but letting sit a few days it dies. If the alternator was bad your car would die while driving it or the battery would have very low amps at all times. It sounds like a bad battery.

 

have you hooked up a test light to see if you have current draw?

 

Have you checked out the battery?
Take it to autozone, orielly, or wherever they offer free battery checks. I had the same problem. I bought a new battery in 2000, and it turned out that i had bought a used battery. Well, since i had a receipt of the new battery bought in 2000, they gave me another. The batteries have a code on them to tell what year they are made. The one i purchased in 2000 new had actually been made in 98. A guy working at the counter (i guess he got tired of me bringing in the battery every week or so) decided to check the date it was manufactured. The battery kept dying on me and i would add some water to it and it would start right up untill a point. Once you water the battery down to where there is no more electrolyte, then no current will be produced or not enough. Check the level of fluid in there.

If fluid is okay, take it out and have it checked under a load test. Ask to find out when that battery was made.

This is definitely a battery problem. If all else fails, get a new AC Delco battery and make sure it is a new battery and not one that has been sitting there for months, and or, years.

Good luck!

 

It is very likely a battery problem, but in no way is it definite.

1. With the car running, run a volt meter across the battery posts, to determine the alternator charge rate. It should be around the 14.5v mark. Less than 13.5v and you need a new alternator.

89 Iroc Z : If the alternator was running at, say, 13v, this would be enough power to run the car's electrics and "trickle" charge the battery, therefore the car would run fine but the battery would only receive enough charge for a couple of days.

2. Get the battery load tested, as previously suggested.

3. There is also the possibility that you have a short circuit somewhere, draining the battery slowly. Do the first 2 checks first, but if they both come up ok, this may well be your problem. A very simple check of this would be to first make sure everything is off. And I mean everything. The stereo unplugged (the memory is still a drain) and all. Charge your battery up. Next, disconnect the negative wire on the battery. Touch it on the negative post a few times, and if you see a spark, that means there is something draining the battery somewhere.

 

Man! Thanks guys! I really appreciate it, I will check everything you guys suggested. You guys are awesome!

 

WELL, I chased this same problem for about six months before I found it. It was the rear hatch pulldown motor, it was jammed and constantly pulling power from the battery. it would take about 2 to 3 days to pull it down (dead) even killed the radio presets. just unplug the relay in the rear hatch panel, recharge the battery and then let it sit for a few days and see if that didn't get it. I'd be willing to bet your rear hatch doesn't work right now, does it ?