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slow battery drain- mystery problem 850

I have a '93 850 GLT.

In the past 6 months I have had the problem that if I leave my car parked for 5-6 days in a row it will not start. The longer I leave it sit the less power is left. So that after the 5th day the dummy lights (aka indicator lights) will come on but there is not enough power to turn over the engine but if left longer I won't even be able to get the dummy lights when I turn the key.

I have taken the car to the mechanic THREE times now for this problem.

The first time, they checked the battery, seemed fine, did some other cursory checks everything seemed in order. I suggested since the dome light wasn't working (the switch had broken off) that it might be drawing power without me knowing it. So they replaced the dome light.

A month later when I had occasion not to drive for a week it happened again. Second time I took the car in they checked various things again and found nothing that they could pinpoint that was causing the problem though they said the posts were kind of dirty on the battery and the connection a little lose, so they cleaned the posts and tightened the connection and sent me on my way.

So this Saturday after the car had been sitting for five days it wouldn't start. I jumped it again and took it to the mechanic for the THIRD time. They did various checks and said again they couldn't find anything that should be causing the problem. The mechanic even crawled inside the truck (and managed to accidently lock himself in for a short time apparently) to make sure the trunk light was going off. The mechanic all but flat out refused to put a new battery in because he said he felt no cofidence that would remedy the situation. He did suggest I could either leave the car at the shop for a week and they could see what happens OR I could have it towed in without jumping it the next time this happens and there would be some different tests they could run.

I saw a few other posts about battery drains that seemed to be caused by the glove box light and am considering duct tapeing the glove box plunger down to ensure it is not staying on. Though it seems like my glove box is closing firmly, I don't know how I can be sure. I did feel the light when I parked from getting back from the mechanic and if felt warm but I don't know if that is due to the mechanic doing tests on it or not (I don't live far from the mechanic)

The battery in my car is likely at least 4 years old, if not older. I bought the car about four years ago (used obviously) and have never changed the battery.

I don't know what to do. I don't want to just wait around for the battery to die again before I can remedy the situation but I don't want to put a new battery in if that isn't the problem.

Any suggestions would be helpful.






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New slow battery drain- mystery problem [850]
posted by  cecilie  on Mon Apr 18 08:44 CST 2005 >


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