Battery drain on a 2002?

[Scurvy]

My battery seems to die when the doors are open for a while (eg loading/unloading from a camping trip) even though the dome light is off. Just got back from a trip, had up jump it Friday to leave, it started Saturday at camp, needed a jump sun/mon and today it starts just fine...

I suspect the battery is the issue (I know it's on its last legs), I'm going to get it tested today and replace it most likely, but I'm trying to figure out why it's draining. I've used the car for pizza delivery for the last year, no issues with that...

I'm stumped. Anyone know what might be my problem? Does something draw a bit of power with the doors open even though the dome light is off? This isn't a new issue, I've had to jump start the car a few times over the past year, but 99% of the time it starts just fine.

 

[Donystoy]

An old battery on its last legs does not need a reason to loose power. Some just will not hold a charge and can show these intermittent characteristic's. After you replace the battery test battery voltage with engine running at about 1500 rpms. If not at least 14.5 volts you have a charging issue.

 

[Mbrooks420]

You shouldn’t need to be above idle to maintain 14+volts. If you need to run faster than 1,000RPM to do it you need a new alternator, or have a cable issue.

 

[Scurvy]

Alternator isn't the issue, voltage while running is fine...

Voltage was 12.6 or something on the battery last Friday and it wouldn't turn over. I Replaced the battery, I'm just wondering what may have caused the drain as it only seemed to happen when the doors were open (dome light turned off via dimmer control). 4 days of the old battery sitting out of the car, and voltage is still 12.68, whereas last Monday it was down to like 10v in the car after an extended period of the doors being open...

 

[Mbrooks420]

Kinda weird. 12.6 should be around a healthy battery at rest she should turn the car over without issue.

 

[Scurvy]

Kinda weird. 12.6 should be around a healthy battery at rest she should turn the car over without issue.

She'd get a crank or two in but not enough to start the car. Looking at the voltage I thought the same thing...

 

[Mbrooks420]

Are your cable connections clean and tight? Are you measuring at the clamp or on the post?

 

[shitohdear]

I own an '02 and an '03 and on both of them I found that the glove box light would remain lit even with the door closed and latched. It was draining my battery. Check to see if the bulb is hot and you'll know that it's been on for awhile. I just pulled the bulb.

 

[Scurvy]

Are your cable connections clean and tight? Are you measuring at the clamp or on the post?

Cleaned my posts/clamps and even replaced the negative clamp because it was cracked in one spot... Didn't make any difference though...

 

[Mbrooks420]

Pull the positive cable, put a multimeter set to dc amps inline with the cable and the battery. Key off, doors closed. If you have an underhood light, pull the bulb. Measure what amperage draw you have with nothing running.