Battery keeps dying..

[VertLover]

I wanted the optima, but was skured that it would have the same problems.

If i would of kept leaving my key in the ignition a Optima would been toast too. I wanted to get everything done at the same time, so threw a Delco in there since it was so conveinent.. It all worked out great...

 

[DMGroh]

I'm going to check the discharge of my battery this weekend leaving the key in and removing the key. I'll let you know what I find and maybe others will chime in to compare results.

I leave the key in and sometimes don't drive for a week or so. Noticed the new battery was somewhat weak turning it over once...thought it was just a normal battery discharge setting for a long time.

 

[DMGroh]

Here's the draw-down on a stock '96 LT1 auto. Without the key in place, doors closed, no underhood lites, etc. the parasitic draw is .04 amps on a 10 amp scale immediately and after waiting several minutes. Putting the key in the ignition increases the draw to .24 on the same scale; again initially and after leaving the key in for several minutes.

Repeated the test using a different brand DVM, exact same results.

I'm taking the key out of the ignition.

 

[Greg Gore]

.04 vs .24 Current Draw

Thanks DMGroh for testing the current draw and reporting your results to the forum concerning Key left in the ignition and key out. This is valuable information that will help save a lot of folk's batteries because many C4s are not driven every day.


Regards, Greg

 

[JimVette]

Leaving the key all the way in the ignition will definately draw down the battery. The key all the way in signals all the micro-procers, from the computer, to get ready to to start. If you must put your key in only put in half way and the ECM will not be signaled.