Basically I can always start the engine using my portable battery booster, and the battery does recharge as I drive my car since I can restart the engine normally after a short while (depending on how much I drove). However the battery does gradually discharge, and I must use the booster again if I wait more than 3-4 days.
Would this be a battery problem, or something else like the alternator (although the battery does recharge, and the car runs well once boosted)?
Thank you.What would cause a car battery to gradually discharge over 2-3 days?This is most likely one of two things: either the battery is failing (how old is it?), or you have something that's drawing off of it over that time, maybe a trunk light or glovebox light, something like that. As batteries age, their ability to hold a charge declines.
Based on your description, it's not the alternator, it provides power to run the car and charge the battery, and it sounds like it's doing both of those things.
If the battery is a few years old, I'd replace it and go from there.What would cause a car battery to gradually discharge over 2-3 days?Could be the battery. Have it load tested.What would cause a car battery to gradually discharge over 2-3 days?Try having it tested ITS FREE at auto zone! Or you may have a trunk or glove box light on which could be a bad switchWhat would cause a car battery to gradually discharge over 2-3 days?it sounds like a dead cell in the battery but before you go buying anything go to your local autoparts or autozone and let them test your starting and charging system for FREE..at autozone they check your battery,starter, and alternator on a machine and it will tell you exactly what is wrong with the vehicleWhat would cause a car battery to gradually discharge over 2-3 days?Either a bad cell in the battery or an electrical drain in your vehicle. I work for a GM service department.What would cause a car battery to gradually discharge over 2-3 days?Maybe you have a trunk light that is not shutting off because its switch is not properly positioned. I had that one time and it ran down the battery to the point at which I needed a jump start so I could get to a repair place.What would cause a car battery to gradually discharge over 2-3 days?You have a small draw coming off something, like a radio or a light or something...make sure you have nothing left on ...maybe even disconnecting the battery for a couple days to see if it still does it. The alternator will charge the battery cause it is good but that doesnt mean the battery is good. Autozone or advanced will check a battery for free.What would cause a car battery to gradually discharge over 2-3 days?It could have a draw on the battery or the battery could have serious internal concerns and simply won't hold a charge.
Both conditions are easily checked.What would cause a car battery to gradually discharge over 2-3 days?You have excellent advice in many answers already. I'm puzzled as to why this question is still 'open'.What would cause a car battery to gradually discharge over 2-3 days?My wife left the glove box open overnight on a volvo 760 gle. it was enough to flatten the battery.
Check there is nothing left on like radio, interior light ect %26amp; no short like the cigar lighter stuck in (maybe a back door one you havent noticed)
Check your fan belt is tight enough.
Are you sure that the battery is holding the charge?
It could well be a duff battery. Try a new battery even if your battery is new it could still be faulty.What would cause a car battery to gradually discharge over 2-3 days?Stop the charging-get to the root of the problem fast-
1. Do you have a multimeter-if not get one-they're only $10 or so at the store.
2. Have the car running-Meter on DC volts-20 volt range-Red on positive and black on negative-reading should be 14+ volts
3. Car off-multimeter on same range-red on positive and black on negative-reading should be 12+
4. Do this every morning - Read the battery when cold and read the battery with the car running. Develop a trend and you'll soon see what your problem is.What would cause a car battery to gradually discharge over 2-3 days?1. Car batteries last no more than 2-3 years.
2. If your battery is not the sealed type, check the liquid levels and if necessary top up with distilled/deionized water.
3. With the engine running, connect a voltmeter on the poles and measure the voltage. It should be more than 13.8 volts, typically 14 volts.
If you do not get about 14 volts, then check that your fan belt is tight and not slipping. If the belt is tight then you have an alternator problem.
4. If the electrolyte liquid level is OK and the charging voltage is OK, then your have a dud battery.
.What would cause a car battery to gradually discharge over 2-3 days?Here's some easy tests.
First the alternator. If you have a multi-meter or volt meter, with the engine off, connect it to the battery's positive and negative sides. The battery should read around 12 volts DC (VDC).
Now, start the motor. If the alternator is good, it should now read 14 VDC on the meter.
Don't have a meter? Here's an old mechanics and poor man's test for the alternator.
With the motor running, disconnect the NEGATIVE side of the car battery (Don't touch the positive side, unless your will is in order and you are ready to die). If the car stops running, then the alternator is bad.
Now, if the alternator appears Okay, next test the battery. Even the maintenance free batteries have battery caps that can be popped off with a flat screw driver. You will need a Electrolyte Specific Gravity battery tester. In English, this is a plastic tool with a squeeze bulb to suck the battery fluid into the tester, then see how many balls are floating. Test each opening separately. If any single battery cell tests bad, then it's time to replace the battery or get it reconditioned.
Most auto parts stores will test the alternator and battery for you free of charge.
Keep in mind to hide your cigarettes and lighter when working around the battery, and don't hook up test leads backwards. Batteries will explode. Also, 2 Amps of Electricity or more (Even 12 Volts) can kill an adult. You battery has 400-800 amps depending on the type. Treat it with respect.
If your testing makes the battery look good and the alternator is OK, remove the battery from the car and see if it is still losing it's charge after a few days. If not, then the battery is OK and you have something on or shorted in your car draining the battery.
Now for the obvious. It's cold as @#$% even in the deep South the past few weeks (Despite the myth of Global Warming), are you sure it's not the cold weather killing the battery? A simple trouble light with a 60 watt light bulb near the battery left on when the car is parked, will keep the battery warm and charged in colder weather. Don't forget to unplug the drop cord before you make the beer run.
