Battery drain

Sounds like there is a parasitic drain on the system. There is a test that anyone can do for an electrical short. All you need is a multi-meter ($15.00 to $20.00 or so at AutoZone). Disconnect one of the battery cables from the battery. Touch the disconnected cable to the other cable so any residual energy in the system is grounded out. Take your multi-meter, turn it on, and set to 20 volts DC. Take one lead and connect it to the newly disconnected battery cable, and connect the other lead to the battery post that the disconnected cable came from. You should see some sort of reading. Now start unplugging fuses, one at a time, until you see a significant drop in the meters reading. You have now identified the circuit..

This is the multimeter that I have: http://www.sears.com/craftsman-multimeter-digital-with-8-functions-and-20/p-03482141000P?plpSellerId=Sears&prdNo=1&blockNo=1&blockType=G1

Another way of testing would be to remove two different fuses every day and see if the car starts the next day. If so, then one of those systems is causing the draw. Narrow it down by repeating that test, except only remove one fuse and leave the other in place. This method can take days or weeks to go through, but you will not have to buy any special tools.

Are there any aftermarket electronics on or in the car? Perhaps a stereo system or maybe a beefed up security system? Or have any electrical systems had service performed on them recently? That is where I would start, personally.

Let us know which fuse it was and I will personally look up what is on that circuit.

If you did not have to cut and splice any wires and the radio works correctly then I would not focus too much on it. Run the test using the multi-meter if you can and you'll find that problem circuit in fifteen minutes.

These cars had a problem not going into sleep mode, it sounds the the SAM controls are staying live. You will need to take the car to the dealer to have them read the body controls to see whats staying on and why. They are the only ones that have the software to do the job.

Maybe the first battery was bad and the car will be okay. Time will tell please let us know.

Wow that is odd! I suppose anything is possible. I guess this is a reminder that just because a part is new does not necessarily mean it is good.

There is a separate battery for the alarm system that lives in the horn. Here is a video to help see what I am talking about. This can be causing your problems.

https://youtu.be/3S0Ns3O3ULA

Please let us know what you find. We are interested to see what it is.

Cheers, Ken

Yep, let us know.

Good to hear, please use 2CarPros anytime we are here to help.

Cheers, Ken

That is great to hear! Please do come back in the future.

No problem. Come back anytime and send your friends too.