Second time in 3 months batter has been dead

[dnr79065]

It's me again
I still have that 1991 Dodge caravan sport 3.3 liter engine.
I went out this morning and the battery was almost dead it would just click.
there was nothing left on check everything. I parked it Saturday evening and I did not try to restart it until this morning. This is the second time this has happened in a 3 month period. it started right up after putting the charger on it. took it awhile to idle on it's own but did run. I can go out and start it now and it starts right up. No check engine lights. charging gage shows just above the middle line on the 18 side. the battery is less than a year old, any suggestions

[RIP]

I would make sure the battery is good by having it charged then have it load tested. Take it back to where you bought it or I believe Autozone will do it free.

If the battery is OK you probably have a trickle drain, ie something is drawing current (power) when it shouldn't be. Glove box light and under hood lights are the at the top of the list. Then there's the malfunctioning components like window and door lock motors.

If the lights aren't on, there is still a way to find the culprit. Using the DC amp function of a multimeter, disconnect the negative battery cable and connect the meter leads to the disconnected cable and the negative battery post. This is called a series connection and must be used to detect current. If you're seeing much more than 100 milliamps you have a drain. To find it, remove fuses one at a time until the meter drops to 100 milliamps or less. The drain is somewhere in the circuit that fuse protects. Start disconnecting components in that system until the current drops to normal. It could just be corrosion on a connection.

Your alternator is probably good but, to verify use the DC volt function of a multimeter and measure voltage at the battery posts with the engine running. Should see at least 13.5 volts. This indicates the alternator is supplying enough voltage to charge the battery.

[dnr79065]

Thanks RIP you where a big help again. When I went out to to check the glove box light I tried to start it and it was was dead again so I did as you said and Auto zone did check it. They almost killed the van but he showed me the final analysis which was bad battery. Unfortunately the receipt had gotten wet and was unreadable So (Wal-Mart) refused let me replace it. so I had to purchase a new one from Auto zone. I am still scared of it not starting DH was almost late this morning because of it. But your advice was very helpful and as far as I know it did get the job done.
Thanks for your help.

[RIP]

Time will tell. At least for now you're back on the road. Might want to try the drain test anyway. Might save headaches later.Cheers!

[manlystanley]

Originally Posted by dnr79065

It's me again
I still have that 1991 Dodge caravan sport 3.3 liter engine.
I went out this morning and the battery was almost dead it would just click.
there was nothing left on check everything. I parked it Saturday evening and I did not try to restart it until this morning. This is the second time this has happened in a 3 month period. it started right up after putting the charger on it. took it awhile to idle on it's own but did run. I can go out and start it now and it starts right up. No check engine lights. charging gage shows just above the middle line on the 18 side. the battery is less than a year old, any suggestions

I had a problem like this once. It turned out to be the stater with a bad spot in it. When ever the engine would stop--at the bad spot the low resistance/short would drain my battery.

Best Regards,
Stan

[dnr79065]

Originally Posted by manlystanley

I had a problem like this once. It turned out to be the stater with a bad spot in it. When ever the engine would stop--at the bad spot the low resistance/short would drain my battery.

Best Regards,
Stan

Thanks for the information we will also check that out while we are at it.

[dnr79065]

Originally Posted by RIP

Time will tell. At least for now you're back on the road. Might want to try the drain test anyway. Might save headaches later.Cheers!

Will do the drain test as soon as I figure out where the DC setting is on this darn meter . Just learning to use one.

[coalminer]

One other thing to keep an eye on is the brake lights, I have seen a few bad switches that will cause the brake lights to stay on.

[B1G BLEU]

Originally Posted by manlystanley

I had a problem like this once. It turned out to be the stater with a bad spot in it. When ever the engine would stop--at the bad spot the low resistance/short would drain my battery.

Best Regards,
Stan

The starter solenoid controls whether there's voltage going to the starter, not bad spots.