Battery dying after amp wiring install?

[LittleHoov]

So yesterday, I ran the wiring for my amp/subs, but didnt actually install them. Meaning I ran and hooked up the wiring, but just left the wires in the trunk.


I went to go somewhere not long after that, and had a weak battery, to the point it wouldnt turn the car over. Got a jumpstart and drove around a bit, then parked it for the night. Came out this morning, battery was weak again. Another jumpstart and its fine.


The first time, I blamed it on the fact Id had the doors open and therefore the interior lights on for several hours. But last night, there was nothing on and its still weak.

I did actually have the power wire connected to the battery, but I had the other end taped off, so it shouldnt draw any power. The remote wire doesnt get any power unless the radio is turned on. Checked that with a test light.

The only thing I can think of is that A: the battery is having problems and is showing them at a coincidental time, or B: having the power connected was drawing power, possibly from a short?

The only other thing I can think of is that before drilling a hole through the firewall, I stuck a coat hanger through the blower motor grommet to see if I could see where it came out at, and maybe I damaged some wiring? Havent had a chance to see if theres any unusual power drain at the fusebox while the car is off.

I disconnected the power wire, and we'll see what happens after it sits at work for 9+ hours.

Any ideas?

[Tobey]

Strange... I think it's merely a coincidence. If that wire doesn't go anywhere, it can't be drawing anything. And if you nicked a wire, it should be blowing a fuse.

Have you checked your alternator output? It might not be charging the battery back up. Either that, or you have some bad cells.

I had a similar thing happen to me when I installed an HD radio tuner into my Intrigue. My battery kept going dead after that. I like to listen to the radio while I 'm working on my car, so I had drained the battery by listening all day. Draining it completely must have pushed my failing battery over the edge... I later found out it was the original battery (8 years old) and had two shorted cells. I replaced it, and all is well.

[harmankardon35]

Its possible you have a short in the power wire, but a short to ground would destroy the power wire and likely cause a fire (if there was no fuse) If there was a fuse (even a large fuse ~100Amps) it would almost instantly blow. Tape off the remote wire for the hell of it..sometimes they trickle a bit of energy, all head units get power when the car is off (to keep memory/time etc)....i guess the next step is to load test the battery, or just buy a cheap $40 battery from wal-mart see if it helps, if not return it i do it all the time lol.

[phewop118]

I'd agree with the others that if you had a short, you would know it by now either with a fire or a fuse. I wouldn't recommend leaving your wire connected with the end taped off for too long though, as the tape may come undone and short to the chassis. Sounds like your battery needs replacing.

By the way, how difficult did you find it to run the wire through the grommet in the firewall? I still need to do my sub wiring, but am dreading that part - actually, I attempted it once, but gave up 10 minutes later. sorry if i hijack your thread with my question.

[LittleHoov]

I found the grommet to be a pain in the butt. I couldnt see where it came out or anything, I ended up drilling a hole in the area just to the right of the blower motor.

If you do that, I would recommend going fairly high up in that open area, because I ended up drilling right through a metal seam in the firewall, so I couldnt put a grommet in, Ill go back later and run some loom in there, but it was getting cold and starting to rain haha.

The car is exhibiting the same behavior even with the amp wire disconnected. I went to start it not long after my OP and it wouldnt start. Then the same thing tonight after letting it sit for literally like 10 minutes.

I was at a friends house and he had a tester, and it was not holding a charge at all.

Battery has a 75-month warranty and its just a shade over 3 years old. Just shy of the free replacement, but I should get a pro-rating. Problem is, I didnt buy the battery, it came with the car. So....lets hope theyre cool about replacing it.

[LittleHoov]

well, took the car to a friends house last night after I got off work, had to jump it again. Not 10 minutes after I got there we went out to mess with the car and it wouldnt start. He had a battery tester and said the battery was bottoming-out bad and wasnt holding a charge.

Checked all the fuses and they were good, I didnt know how much longer the jump starting thing would work, so he told me to take his Jeep, let me tell you a Grand Cherokee is a lot different than an Intrigue.

Got a new battery this morning, old one was only 3 years old, but I couldnt use the warranty because im not the original purchaser and I didnt have a receipt.

59.99 plus tax for a new battery. 850 CCA and 1000ish CA, a little beefier than the one that was in it. No problems so far. Like I was telling me grandpa it keeps going "vroom vroom" instead of "click click"

I think had a similar problem as tobey, because I too was listening to my radio for several hours while I was doing this, in addition to having the interior lights on the whole time. Battery was probably in bad shape anyway and I just pushed it too hard.