Battery draining overnight

Tiny
GLEN POWER
  • MEMBER
  • 2010 DODGE CARAVAN
  • 3.3L
  • V6
  • 2WD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 130,000 MILES
Battery is drained in the morning after being fine while driving during previous day. Boost vehicle in morning and works fine all day but is not sitting for long periods. Did some testing on battery and voltage is good, battery is charging and removed negative cable on battery to test all fuses and relays to see where power was being draw from but found nothing. Battery is draining overnight because it seems as though something is draining power from it other then the computer. What could be doing this? Has the alternator grounded internally and how do l test it or is it possible that l have a bad or stuck relay?
Thursday, September 17th, 2020 AT 4:45 PM

4 Replies

Tiny
DANNY L
  • MECHANIC
  • 5,648 POSTS
Hello, I'm Danny.

It sounds like the alternator might be weak or failing and fully charging the battery.If you remove the alternator and take to your local auto parts stores they will test for free.Here is a couple tutorials showing what is involved:

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/how-to-check-a-car-alternator

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/how-to-replace-an-alternator

I would also have your battery load tested.Auto parts stores will load test for free as well.Your battery might not be holding a charge.

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/car-battery-load-test

Get back to us after performing these tests and if the problem still exists or no answers we'll go from there.Hope all this helps and thanks for using 2CarPros.
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Thursday, September 17th, 2020 AT 5:30 PM
Tiny
GLEN POWER
  • MEMBER
  • 2 POSTS
Yes.
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Friday, September 18th, 2020 AT 1:31 PM
Tiny
DANNY L
  • MECHANIC
  • 5,648 POSTS
Hello again.

Okay. Let us know the outcome of the testing and we'll go from there if the problem isn't solved. Thanks again for using 2CarPros.

Danny-
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Friday, September 18th, 2020 AT 2:30 PM
Tiny
KEN L
  • MASTER CERTIFIED MECHANIC
  • 47,640 POSTS
It sounds like the battery is bad. To confirm this guide can help as well:

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/car-battery-dead-overnight

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

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Saturday, September 19th, 2020 AT 12:46 PM

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