battery losing power overnight
Thread Starter
Joined: 09-02-2019
Posts: 1
From: houston
battery losing power overnight
I had an AAA guy come out and do a diagnostic test.........He says my alternator is good and my battery is good........Overnight, the car will not start and needs to be jumped..........Once charged, the car will run......Would a smart/intelligent battery charger take care of this problem? Bob Shelley, Houston
Senior Member
Joined: 08-26-2008
Posts: 1,488
From: Sequim Washington
Would you by chance be leaving your keys in the ignition at night ??... assuming the car is in the garage.
A long shot but Also do a walk around to make sure brake lights are not stuck on.
This time of the year and it staying light longer you may not notice when you stop for the day.
Silverfox
A long shot but Also do a walk around to make sure brake lights are not stuck on.
This time of the year and it staying light longer you may not notice when you stop for the day.
Silverfox
Administrator
Joined: 10-13-2011
Posts: 40,096
From: Welland,Ont Canada
Welcome to the site, Bob .
What was the static load voltage of the battery , it better be more then 12 .5 volts.
running with alternator charging the system, should be 14.4 volts .
I think it’s a dead cell in your battery , how old is the battery
What was the static load voltage of the battery , it better be more then 12 .5 volts.
running with alternator charging the system, should be 14.4 volts .
I think it’s a dead cell in your battery , how old is the battery
Last edited by Oldblue; Sep 2, 2019 at 02:13 PM.
Moderator
Joined: 05-01-2014
Posts: 8,512
From: California
Are you actually charging the battery? Jump starting does not charge. Driving it doesn't charge very well, either.
You should get a second opinion, someone else to test it, local auto parts store will do those tests for free.
If battery and alternator are still good, check connections. At the battery, the underhood fuse block, alternator, starter, as well as ground points.
You may have a parasitic drain.
You should get a second opinion, someone else to test it, local auto parts store will do those tests for free.
If battery and alternator are still good, check connections. At the battery, the underhood fuse block, alternator, starter, as well as ground points.
You may have a parasitic drain.
Senior Member
Joined: 06-07-2011
Posts: 2,180
From: SE Mich
Lamprey in this thread!!!
As others have said, get the battery checked for dead cell(s). How old is the battery? Parking outdoors in heat seems to kill these batteries fast. I replaced 2 in under 4 years each, but yet I got 7 years out of my '95 S10 battery in the same yard. Random, but some data points.
As others have said, get the battery checked for dead cell(s). How old is the battery? Parking outdoors in heat seems to kill these batteries fast. I replaced 2 in under 4 years each, but yet I got 7 years out of my '95 S10 battery in the same yard. Random, but some data points.
Senior Member
Joined: 06-13-2017
Posts: 180
From: Fairborn, OH
Check your battery terminals. Mine once had a broken tab on the screw tightening doodad on the hot cable. It had all sorts of problems. I put on an aftermarket terminal lug. You can also get one of those $10 voltmeters that plug into the dashboard jack and you can watch your charging system in real time.