battery problem!!

[seto519]

i got a 91 s13 hatchback se dohc. the car doesnt start up after 2 days. is there anyway i can get this fixed? i have to jump the car every 2 days to get it running. how can i fix this battery leak? any help advice will help thnx!

[R_G]

This is just a guideline to checking electrical components . Always have a competent Technician check your car out. Im not responsible for any damage you do to you, your car, your garage, your house or any other property.

Do not buy a cheap Multi-meter. Go to sears and pick one up for cheap. If u have the cash buy a fluke (brand name).

First make sure you batt is in good health. Take it to autozone and have them tested, if it's not ok u can buy a used batt from them for like 35 bucks.
Now, install the batt and start the car. Make sure you get a multi meter and set it to 12v or 20v on DC. Start the car. Go to the batt and hold the leads from the meter to the proper batt terminals. (RED = TO + TERMINAL----Black = to Negative Terminal)

This test will check your alternators output thus checking your charging system.

You want to see around 14.3-14.5 at idle (Im going off my car if any one knows the correct voltage please correct me thanks ) ** Also if you immediately see 14.3 or 14.5 v then your alternator output is fine. If your voltage is low at idle rev the engine up around 4k and just make sure your voltage increases to near 14.3 or any # near there. (I don't now the correct voltage for the 240, when i tested my alternator on my car is was bad, i replaced it but did not re-check it.... i know should have)
Just keep watching the meter the voltage should increase but then it should just stay at constant voltage.

If alternator checks good then move on too checking your electrical system for what they call a " parasitic draw" (something sucking power out of your batt when the car is off) If you have recently have installed any electrical accessories and then this started to happen then more then likely that's your problem.
Make sure your batt is fully charged.

Now make sure your you don't have anything connected to your cig lighter in the car and your dome lights are off and keys removed from the ignition.

Disconnect Negative and positive cables of your batt

Disconnect the power wire from your starter, it's super easy.

Now connect + batt cable

Set your meter on amps or 10 amps.

Take the negative cable from the battery and make sure its not connected to batt

Now place the volt meter wires between the negative terminal of the battery and the ground cable. Place the meter on amps and make sure everything is turned off.

Wait a couple of minutes so the ecu goes to sleep mode.

Now check the amps. it should not be more then 50 milliamps. (Any one correct me if the FSM states otherwise im going from general guidelines)

If you see more then that start disconnecting fuses and keep checking the milliamps to see if they drop. If they do then you found the problem

Hope this helps, im going back to sleep. If i misspelled something or it does not make sense let me know. If any one wants to add or change something please post it up, so the op can see it.

[jonnybonds84]

Originally Posted by R_G

This is just a guideline to checking electrical components . Always have a competent Technician check your car out. Im not responsible for any damage you do to you, your car, your garage, your house or any other property.

Do not buy a cheap Multi-meter. Go to sears and pick one up for cheap. If u have the cash buy a fluke (brand name).

First make sure you batt is in good health. Take it to autozone and have them tested, if it's not ok u can buy a used batt from them for like 35 bucks.
Now, install the batt and start the car. Make sure you get a multi meter and set it to 12v or 20v on DC. Start the car. Go to the batt and hold the leads from the meter to the proper batt terminals. (RED = TO + TERMINAL----Black = to Negative Terminal)

This test will check your alternators output thus checking your charging system.

You want to see around 14.3-14.5 at idle (Im going off my car if any one knows the correct voltage please correct me thanks ) ** Also if you immediately see 14.3 or 14.5 v then your alternator output is fine. If your voltage is low at idle rev the engine up around 4k and just make sure your voltage increases to near 14.3 or any # near there. (I don't now the correct voltage for the 240, when i tested my alternator on my car is was bad, i replaced it but did not re-check it.... i know should have)
Just keep watching the meter the voltage should increase but then it should just stay at constant voltage.

If alternator checks good then move on too checking your electrical system for what they call a " parasitic draw" (something sucking power out of your batt when the car is off) If you have recently have installed any electrical accessories and then this started to happen then more then likely that's your problem.
Make sure your batt is fully charged.

Now make sure your you don't have anything connected to your cig lighter in the car and your dome lights are off and keys removed from the ignition.

Disconnect Negative and positive cables of your batt

Disconnect the power wire from your starter, it's super easy.

Now connect + batt cable

Set your meter on amps or 10 amps.

Take the negative cable from the battery and make sure its not connected to batt

Now place the volt meter wires between the negative terminal of the battery and the ground cable. Place the meter on amps and make sure everything is turned off.

Wait a couple of minutes so the ecu goes to sleep mode.

Now check the amps. it should not be more then 50 milliamps. (Any one correct me if the FSM states otherwise im going from general guidelines)

If you see more then that start disconnecting fuses and keep checking the milliamps to see if they drop. If they do then you found the problem

Hope this helps, im going back to sleep. If i misspelled something or it does not make sense let me know. If any one wants to add or change something please post it up, so the op can see it.

X2 on this, I have seen many fried engine because of lack of respect for electricals.

[ChiSleepyEyes]

just sounds like u need a new battery, take it to your local Batteries Plus, autozone, pep boys. they should do a free test for you. i always recommend batteries plus, considering ive been working at one of their store for 2+years

[ericcastro]

Nest time you turn your car off for 2 days, unhook your battery.
That way there is no "draw" on it.

Now if you hook it up 2 days later and it fires up, you have a "draw".
If not, the battery is bad.

you can test a battery and it will read the proper voltage, but wont have enough in it to turn a car over.
(i know from personal experience, and autozone testing it and telling me its ok. And it not being ok.)

[R_G]

Originally Posted by ericcastro

Nest time you turn your car off for 2 days, unhook your battery.
That way there is no "draw" on it.

Now if you hook it up 2 days later and it fires up, you have a "draw".
If not, the battery is bad.

you can test a battery and it will read the proper voltage, but wont have enough in it to turn a car over.
(i know from personal experience, and autozone testing it and telling me its ok. And it not being ok.)

Autozone FAIL. Sorry about that op. i was trying to make it easy on u. Thanks EC

[ChiSleepyEyes]

^^^thats why i'd have it tested at a batteries plus, we are equipped with better load testers than autozone.

also, you know how old the battery is? who makes the battery? walmart brand batts aren't usually the best. buy a gel battery and never have this issue again