acenase

For some reason when I don't start my car for like 4-5 days my car is completely dead. I always have to jump start it. I am going on a trip for a few days and was wondering if I disconnected the negative terminal, will this be ok? Or will I need to disconnect both positive & negative terminals so my battery doesn't drain? I don't know what is causing my battery to drain for not starting it for a few days as I don't have sounds or anything. But just wondering i f just disconnected the negative terminal would do?

sl33p3r

the battery will still drain man if your alternator is not charging.

topdog849

iTrader: (1)

if ur battery light isnt on then its not your alternator, you might just have a parasitic draw. maybe your glovebox light is always on or the light in the truck. if you have a multi meter check all the fuses for voltage when your car is off. if you find a fuse with some voltage it will help you find the circuit thats drawing power.

RedPhoenix

iTrader: (10)

Check something easy...

Start the car. Put a screw driver up to the alternator... does it stick like a magnet? That would let you know that you alternator is faulty.

acenase

I don't think my Alternator is the problem. I started the car and disconnected the terminal and it still ran.

I Just think my battery gets drained if the car doesn't start. Basically, what I want to know is if I Disconnected a terminal, will my battery still drain? If not then I'm just going to have to start it everyday and let it run for a few minutes. I'm only wondering too because I'm going on a trip and I don't want my car to be dead when I get back so if I disconnect the terminal for the battery for a few days, when I put it back on my car will it start? Or will one terminal still drain the battery?

RedPhoenix

iTrader: (10)

The alternator will still work... its the diodes I believe in it. My room mates MR2 was doing this. It would charge like a **** when its running, but if he didnt start it in a day or so, it would be dead. His alternator was pulling 4 amps while off. Check the magnet idea, worth a shot.

over40driv

If its an SC 400, you cant get to the back of the alt. with it running. Yes, if you remove either the neg. or pos. term. from the battery the drain will be lost. I would start with getting the battery proff. tested to rule out a dead cell or short in the battery. If the battery is good I would recommend taking it to a wiring speacialist to find and fix the drain. On a side note there is a slim chance the alt. could charge and not put the warning light on and still drain the battery. Also you should never remove the battery cable from the battery when the car is running.

jayboydog

what does this post mean? is this a non-sense post? suppose it is a kosher post. stick screwdriver where on the alternator. what does it mean if the screw driver is magnetically held to the alternator? what does it mean if the screwdriver is not magnetically held to the alternator with the engine running? thank you for sincere response.

Klapped96

It's a real at home method. as the vehicle is running, you place a clean, rust free non magnetic screw driver near the pully nut of the alt. if the alternator is working, there should be a magnetic field generated and would want to pull that screw driver in. if it does not pull it, then it should probably be inspected by a professional to be sure of its fault or just toss a new alternator in there. again though don't let the screw driver slip from your hands. you have to go off of the feel of the magnet trying to pull it.

BillUK

How old is the battery? Could be as simple as a worn out battery that's no longer able to hold a charge. If you don't manage to resolve it before your trip then I'd suggest buying a portable jump starter.