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Electrical Mystery draining battery
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AstraMan
New User
Dec 4, 2011, 9:14 PM
Post #1 of 4
(1968 views)
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Electrical Mystery draining battery
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Hello, Newbie here. Glad to be a part of the forum, hoping I can get some insight into my problem.
I purchased a used 2008 Saturn Astra in June of this year with no warranty. The vehicle is equipped with a 1.8L non-turbo petrol engine mated to 5 speed manual transaxle and has only about 19,000 miles on it. I bought it when I was visiting my parents in Florida and drove it home to PA soon after. On the vehicle repair history report it said that the battery was recently replaced at 15,500 (about 500 miles before I got it). It was starting a little weakly but I simply assumed that this was how it sounded at start-up. On the drive home I stopped in North Carolina to get a map and stretch my legs at the welcome center and the vehicle would not start when I got in 10 minutes later. I pop started it and was on my way again. Once it was driving there were no problems.
I got it home and it started ok but got stuck at the grocery store and had to pop the clutch again. At this point I was parking it someplace I could get a running start always but after a few times the battery was dead as dead and popping the clutch wouldn't even start it. I went to Pep Boys in September to get a new battery and purchased one with the best warranty I could find so that when the problem started up again I could just trade for a new one. I just replaced it again this past weekend because the battery couldn't supply the power to start the engine but was able to run all of the auxiliary electrical stuff (radio, remote entry, windows, etc.).
Now that I am fairly certain that this will happen again I'd like to diagnose the problem. So, what suggestions does anyone have? I wish that the problem was with the engine or suspension or something mechanical because that I could handle. I am comfortable using a multimeter and examining connections. It is my assumption that something is grounding out and pulling from the battery when it shouldn't. I just don't know where to start. I tried pulling fuses with the meter in line with the negative battery terminal but didn't get very far (I only checked the front fuse box).
I remember that when the battery was low and I had just popped it started, driving at low speed the radio would go quiet and the ABS light came on; light went off and radio came back. This stopped once it had been driven for a bit as the battery got charged. I checked the ABS connections at the wheels but couldn't find any problems there. The thing that I expect to have the most trouble with is that the wiring harness is buried within the construction of the vehicle and will be hard to access. Anyway, I think I've gone on long enough. Thanks for any insight.
PS; A little background: The Astra has been sold by GM in Europe under Opel and Vauxhall and in Australia as Holden for many years but only about 18,000 were sold in the US and Canada as Saturn (2008, 2009) before Saturn went under.
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re-tired
Veteran
/ Moderator
Dec 4, 2011, 10:22 PM
Post #2 of 4
(1945 views)
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Re: Electrical Mystery draining battery
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I would start by having the alternator tested . . The new batt should have charged back up. And should not be dead that quickly unless youi had a heck of a draw , ie key left on lights left on.
LIFE'S SHORT GO FISH
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AstraMan
New User
Dec 5, 2011, 9:08 AM
Post #3 of 4
(1928 views)
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Re: Electrical Mystery draining battery
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Right, I neglected to say that when I got the first replacement battery the alternator was tested and they (PepBoys) said it was fine. Could it be that because the battery is not charging after being driven for a while the connections to the battery are shorting somewhere and the current from the alternator is not getting to it? If the alternator itself is not the problem.
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Hammer Time
Ultimate Carjunky
/ Moderator
Dec 5, 2011, 9:15 AM
Post #4 of 4
(1925 views)
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Re: Electrical Mystery draining battery
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First step........
Have battery and charging system tested in the car.
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We offer help in answering questions, clarifying things or giving advice but we are not a substitute for an on-site inspection by a professional.
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