My car's been draining battery randomly. Sometimes it cold starts fine but now after replacing the battery for the second time, it's doing this. I had the autozone guys run a test and everything passed. The battery, alternator and the started were okay there. Now today, when I crank the car, all I hear is the clicking noise made by the starter. What could this problem be ? This has me worried and now I'm in PA, don't know any mechanics here. I feel that something is drawing current from the car constantly. Please advise some quick tests to find out what might the problem be. Experts please help !!

 

Check all connections. I had the factory ground on my old IS300 just fall apart and my battery would die every couple of days. One loose connection could definitely cause the draw on your system and drain your battery (ground or positive).

 

I jump started the car and took it for a test drive, drove on the highway for a while and got back home. Turned the engine off then tried to start but nothing ! Clicking sounds only. Could it be the alternator ? Also, where is the factory ground cable located ?

 

Starter for sure

 

Really ? How though ? This is my second battery that has died on me. I'll run some tests tomorrow to check the alternator and the battery.

 

Contacts in the stater solenoid wear over time.



A bit of service history on your car and maybe model and mileage would be helpful for those that want to participate..
Also, if you don't already own one, buy and learn how to use a multimeter. You should not need the parts guy at Autozone telling you your car is ok, because it's not.

 

If all you hear is a click, odds are the starter is bad.

 

okay let's say the starter is bad. Why is the car draining the battery then ? And this is the second battery that has died on me. I'm getting it replace again today. Also, I'm doing a parasitic draw test to see whether something is drawing current when everything's off or not.

 

UPDATE: Jumped started the car and took it AutoZone. They ran tests with their instrument and turned out that the battery, alternator and starter is okay. It's probably something inside the car draining the battery then

 

@FrankT: It's an 01 GS 300 with 144k miles on it. Bought it off of an auction back in september. So far I haven't had any trouble with the engine or the transmission. My mech checked it while servicing the engine/tranny and said that both the things were in good shape. However this is the problem that randomly popped up. I was overseas for a few months so I didn't know it until I came back and started driving it. Now it's been going perfectly fine as if nothing were wrong with it. The starter cranks fine in the morning. Also, I do have a multimeter and checked the voltages. While the engine is running, the alternator is giving 14.2V. I'll check the battery voltage again when the engine is off. Also did a parasitic draw test which showed nothing. It was around 70mA. That makes me think it's the starter. Which randomly cranks and sometimes fails. Where exactly is it located ?

 

You have a parasitic draw. To test for this is to make sure all of your fuses and relays are good. Then you have to get a multimeter put it on a 10A scale and check if you have a draw and to determine where it's coming from. Here is a video that will help you better than I can explain.

 

I performed that test but like I said, it didn't come up with anything. the draw was around 70mA.

 

Same thing is happening to me right now. There is barely any draw but my battery completely died in a couple of hours.

 

Test your alternator. If you haven't already done that, start the car and then check the voltage coming in from the alternator. It should be around 14.2V. If more than 15V or less than 13V, then something is wrong with the alternator.

 

i had the same problem 3 days ago it turned out its was a starter. i try o start it for 7 minutes nothing but click.