Battery replaced but drains

Tiny
JEANNE PARRISH
  • MEMBER
  • 2008 LEXUS ES 350
  • 6 CYL
  • 2WD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 97,000 MILES
Hello. Having recurring problem car was not starting, just clicking (started two years ago, December and bitter cold). Replaced battery with upgraded battery. When weather got warm into spring summer fall no problem. Last winter same problem. Had replacement battery put in under warranty. No more problems. Now it is December again and cold. But not bitter. Same problem three times in last few weeks. Paid service station $50.00 to check it and recharge it to 100%. Then same thing again; clicking but wouldn't start. Had it jumped again by road service two or three days ago. Today same problem. Only takes a couple days for this to happen. Making sure courtesy lights off, radio off, heating system off, device charging cords unplugged.
Tuesday, December 18th, 2018 AT 7:45 AM

14 Replies

Tiny
ASEMASTER6371
  • MECHANIC
  • 52,797 POSTS
Good afternoon,

It sounds like you have a parasitic drain from the battery. in other words, something in the car is draining the battery power quicker than it should.

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

did the shop do a parasitic drain test?

Roy
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Tuesday, December 18th, 2018 AT 10:43 AM
Tiny
JEANNE PARRISH
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I don't think so. I just discovered that term today as I was searching for information.
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Tuesday, December 18th, 2018 AT 12:56 PM
Tiny
JEANNE PARRISH
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How would that test be done, what steps? By the way, thanks for answering so quickly.
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Tuesday, December 18th, 2018 AT 12:58 PM
Tiny
JEANNE PARRISH
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Ha! I just went to the site you cited above and I had already read it.
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Tuesday, December 18th, 2018 AT 1:03 PM
Tiny
JEANNE PARRISH
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Meaning I have already read the steps.
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Tuesday, December 18th, 2018 AT 1:03 PM
Tiny
ASEMASTER6371
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Okay, do this procedure.

Remove the negative cable and get a voltmeter. Put the red lead on the battery terminal and the black lead on the negative cable.

Set the meter to DC amps and let the car sit thirty minutes for the modules to go to sleep.

Then read the meter. You should have 50-75 milli amps as a draw. That is normal.

Roy
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Tuesday, December 18th, 2018 AT 1:06 PM
Tiny
JEANNE PARRISH
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  • 9 POSTS
Roy, will do and let you know what happens.
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Tuesday, December 18th, 2018 AT 8:26 PM
Tiny
ASEMASTER6371
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Sounds like a plan.

Roy
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Tuesday, December 18th, 2018 AT 8:36 PM
Tiny
JEANNE PARRISH
  • MEMBER
  • 9 POSTS
When it rains it pours. Waiting for replacement phone to come. They were fixing the cracked screen on site and it wouldn't work after it was put back together it isn't functioning. So no calls to mechanic; playing the waiting game. And so it goes, sometimes.
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Wednesday, December 19th, 2018 AT 1:50 PM
Tiny
ASEMASTER6371
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I understand.

Keep us updated.

Roy
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Wednesday, December 19th, 2018 AT 2:02 PM
Tiny
JEANNE PARRISH
  • MEMBER
  • 9 POSTS
Hi Roy, believe it or not, my car was stolen along with my checkbook. Car not yet recovered; forged check was written. Paricidic drain not yet been done. I will be in touch. Thanks.
Jeanne
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Friday, January 4th, 2019 AT 11:59 AM
Tiny
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You are welcome.

Will be here to help when you need us.

Roy
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Friday, January 4th, 2019 AT 12:02 PM
Tiny
JEANNE PARRISH
  • MEMBER
  • 9 POSTS
Hi Roy. Car not recovered. It has been 30-days so insurance will consider it a total loss. Thanks for being there for everyone. You really know your auto advice. Best regards, Jeanne
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Wednesday, January 30th, 2019 AT 10:00 AM
Tiny
ASEMASTER6371
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Thanks for the kind words.

We are always glad to help.

Roy
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+1
Wednesday, January 30th, 2019 AT 10:03 AM

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