Using Miata BAttery on my sr20 s13/ Starting/charing problems!

[apexi240sx]

ever since i started using the Mx-5 Miata battery, i ve had a some problems, now its getting really serious, the battery is not holding the charge that
SR20DET charging system is putting out... And the battery Is NEW, a duralast from autozone, this the 2nd time i had to replace it, seems like when i leave the car parked for over 3 days with the battery connected, it seems like it drains it, dead, when i jump start it the car will start, then i go drive it, then i turn it off and it will not turn on again! i tested the charging system with an ohm meter and the alternator is charging fine 14.7 v but the battery is not holding the charge... is the miata battery suitable for the 240sx? (right ohms, cold cranking amps) im forced to run this battery cause of the FMIC...... has anyone had these probs with this battery?? or should i get a westco or optima Yellow to rid this prob

[frankist]

are the cca's and ca's the same as for a 240? and did you use the same type of battery before the sr? and did you like add on any type of light or so, a small light buld if on, would kill a battery in like 3 days.

[boosteds13]

I have the same problem with my Odyssey battery. Although if I drive the car every day it will start. But if I sit with the radio on or the door open, it drains fast.

[tiresmokes13]

i have the same miata battery in 1 of my cars..works fine...never problems... is everything off in the car? you have a system? or amp? something drains it..

[nrg]

you might have something drainning your battery. alarm, car amps, interior light is on when a switch is broken. check your trunk light.
check all your connections from the battery. maybe corrosion got to them.

[CaoBoY]

switch to a pdm battery!

[g6civcx]

Just because a battery is new doesn't mean it's good. A new battery has been sitting on the shelves, and should be fully charged before using.

A good battery can discharge in one day. Doing this repeatedly several times and the battery may lose its ability to hold charge.

You need to have the battery tested, and have the alternator tested as well. Check for both low and high voltage output. Overcharging is just as bad.

I would suspect you have a short somewhere in the system that's drawing current from the battery.

[carkid0007]

I have the same duralast battery on my sr because of the fmic also, and I sit hanging out with my radio on listening to music and my gauge lighting and it always starts up fine.

[95zilvia]

The Miata battery is small, but it should be a good battery, given that it's not broken.
I believe the CCA is around 590. I picked one up for free and plan to use it with my SR as well.

[!Zar!]

I'm using a lawnmower battery from autozone;$25 and I've had no problams starting my car even after a few days with an alarm and not using it.

CCA is 450iirc.

[g6civcx]

CCA shouldn't be a problem for him. His problem is more about the discharging, which suggests a voltage leak somewhere in the wiring.

[Nostradamus]

I have the Westco miata battery from phase2 and not a single problem yet. Had it for over a year. I park and listen to the radio during lunch every day. The battery sat all winter long too.

[drifter808]

bumped this thread cause im having similar problems.

Im running a westco battery that i bought used from a friend who totalled his 240. It hasn't given me any problems for about 2 months until this last week. When i start the car up from leaving it overnight it will crank fine and fast. after i been driving for awhile and go to start it, it seems dead and cranks very slowly just barely turning over.

A friend said it might just be the battery being old and i should replace it or mount my old one in the trunk. Any ideas on what it could be?

[g6civcx]

Are you experiencing this problem after driving short distances at low speeds?

[drifter808]

no its usually after i been driving for awhile. Once the battery gets warm it gives me problems. Like i could go out right now and start up the car fine cause everything is all cold.

Im planning on buying some 2 gauge battery wire and mounting my stock battery in the trunk tomorrow. Even out the weight more to.

im pretty sure my alternator is good since i replaced it about 7 months ago with a new KA unit. My battery light hasn't come on so im thinking its ok.

thanks g6

[95zilvia]

sounds like ur starter is shitting out on you.

[drifter808]

its a brand new starter motor and solenoid. The KA motor and solenoid work so i swapped them over. I tried jumping it later last night and it cranked really fast and started up fine. we'll see what the relocation does and the bigger battery.

[koukimonster139]

get the right battery for your car and mount it in the trunk.

[ManoNegra]

Optima redtop, mount in trunk passanger side for those wth a fmic.

[drifter808]

just picked up 2 gauge wires and am heading to my car. I'll let you know the progress and tell you guys if it fixed it.

thanks

[drifter808]

OK, so i mounted in the trunk and got my stock battery fully recharged. It starts fine but still kinda weak. I haven't got to drive it for awhile yet though since its raining here and i got home to late. So tomorrow i'll post if the problem is gone.

Also how accurate is a turbo timer for volts? i used to use my SAFC but i sold it and am using this now. Im only getting like 12.4 when its running and when its cranking im getting 9.-8. volts. just want to know if its accurate?

[Id RaThEr DrIfT]

i have the same battery and had a very similar problem ... maybe try disconecting the battery while the car is on see if it turns off if so then i just might be ur alternator reasone i say to do that is because i had the same issue i actually took the battery back to autozone and they gave me a new one cause i though there battery was bad, but it wasnt it was the alternator.... so yeah hopefulyy this help a bit

[ballr858]

im using a miata battery with my setup with no problems. my safc2 reads 13.9-14.0 volts while car is running.

[drifter808]

i'll try disconnecting the battery while its running today. i'll post my results.

[drifter808]

well i disconnected the battery while it was running and it didn't make a difference. so that means my alternator is working right?

Im gonna try get my starter tested today cause its looking like its coming down to that. If it is does anyone have a good one for sale?

[Neejay]

hmmm...so you can use a miata battery with no problems of any sort? I'm assuming its done to save space/weight?

[Id RaThEr DrIfT]

Originally Posted by drifter808

well i disconnected the battery while it was running and it didn't make a difference. so that means my alternator is working right?

Im gonna try get my starter tested today cause its looking like its coming down to that. If it is does anyone have a good one for sale?

yeah seems like ur alternator is great ...... guess check ur starter

[drifter808]

are there any relays or circuits that would give me these symptoms?

[drifter808]

alright fixed it.

I took off the alternator and starter to be bench tested both came back in perfect condition. Came home hooked um all up and cleaned all the connectors with sandpaper. Fired it up and it has never turned over faster. So i guess it was just a bad connection somewhere and it got cleaned up during reinstallation.

thanks for the help guys.

[motonagam]

Originally Posted by drifter808

well i disconnected the battery while it was running and it didn't make a difference. so that means my alternator is working right?

You're lucky you did not blow your alternator, as well as other electrical components (such as your ECU) when you disconnected your battery. Disconnecting your battery while the car is running is a big NO NO! When you disconnect the battery, the alternator no longer has a load in the circuit, causing havoc to your electrical system. Next time you want to test your alternator, I advise to use a proper tester, such as a VAT40 or Snap-On MicroVAT.