Perhaps someone will know the answer to this: I have a 2003, and don't know if the battery has every been replaced (bought used). A few days ago I accidentally left the key in the ignition (turned to the right), and next morning the battery was drained. I had the car jumped, and all was working. Except, when set to "auto," the headlight would not turn off after taking key out of the ignition. I had to finally set the dial to "off" from "auto." Two days later, the battery was dead again.

If a battery gets drained, is that the end of the battery? I read on another thread that once it is drained it is trashed. Also, has anyone experienced the headlights staying on? Perhaps the battery dying reset some setting? Help!

 

Guess it depends how good the battery is. Its quite common after being drained its knackered for good.

However the first year I had my SC I drained the battery atleast 6+ times. Either through not using the car for long periods or leaving a light on etc. I found that my battery would not last more then 3 weeks of sitting in the garage.

After my first year I started (or even used the car) atleast once per week and that same battery has been good for nearly 3 years now

 

Drained my battery at least three times and it's still going strong. Happened because either a door or trunk wasn't completely closed so the headlights stayed on.

 

I learned a good lesson! This is exactly what happened (although I did not do it, so I must have missed that the door-open light must have been on!). In my case, the trunk release button on the remote was hit instead of the "lock the car" button. I turned the headlights off since they obviously stayed on, but didn't notice the door-open light I guess. So I think the trunk light is what drained the battery. Coincidental that it happened the day after I accidentally left the keys in the ignition and drained it that way. But the batter appears fine now after two drainings so we'll see!