Battery Life

Ok I will admit I don't know a whole lot about cars electrical systems. So saying that, I would like a little help about my 94 LX 4.6. I just put in a new stereo and ever sense my battery can't hold any juice. Before then it was a great battery. If I don’t drive it for a couple of days (which happens very seldom) the battery will be died. Now I've been told that I just need a new battery, but I have the sneaking suspicion that it might be something else.....like the new stereo.

PS: the new stereo doesn’t have any amps or anything like that it is just a new Sony head unit.

Have your battery tested at Auto Zone or local garage. It sounds like you have something drawing current when the car is shut off which would drain the battery if the car isn't used for a couple of says. Check your interior,hood and truck lights to be sure they aren't staying on. If the battery tests ok you could use a DC ammeter to see how much current is being drawn when the car isn't being used. Is the charging system working?

The average battery life is about four years. How old is your battery? If it is anywhere near the four years, I would change it. After the car sits for a couple of days and dies, do you just jump it? Or do you fully charge it with a charger? It may be that the battery is not getting its full charge back and thats why it quickly goes dead. Also maybe the alternator is weak or not putting out at all. With the car running and all the accessories on, check the voltage at the battery terminals. Should be just above 13V with all the accessories on. Try this. Have the battery tested. If it tests OK and is fully charged, disconnect the positive battery terminal and let it sit. See what happens next time you go to start your car ( with the positive connected of course!) This may help you narrow the problem.

Well okay I know the alternator is working because when I run it for a while to go somewhere it charges up and I don't have any problems with starting it. But the fact that the first time that it went dead I only jumped it I didn't fully charge it might have to do with it. Today before I wrote the thread I kind of thought of that so I put it on the charger for a couple of hours, so we'll se how it turns out. I'll follow-up tomorrow for anybody that cares. lol

I'm buying a new battery! :banghead: