Hello
I have a 2004 Xtype that if I dont start it for two to three days I have to jump start it. I bought a new battery for it last year so I dont understand why the battery isnt holding the charge if I dont start it for two to three days.
Any ideas or suggestions as to what the problem may be?

Thanks
Chazz

 

Chazz, first things first. What I would tell you to do is to put the battery on a charger and make sure that it is up at 100% first. Now, using a multimeter, connect the multimeter across the battery. You should see the multimeter read 12.6 VDC (everything closed, car turned off). If the multimeter is reading 12.5 VDC or less, the battery has a bad cell, replace the battery. Next, open a car door. Look at the multimeter again. Did it drop to 12.5 VDC, or did it drop below that. It should have stayed at 12.6 VDC or dropped to 12.5 VDC, but if it drops lower than that, then you have a bad cell, replace the battery. Close the car door.

Now, get in and attempt to start the car as you (or a second person) watches the multimeter. As the car is turning over, does the multimeter drop below 11.0 VDC? If yes, then you have a bad cell. Replace the battery.

Finally, with the engine running, once the voltage stabilizes (may take a minute or so), is it reading 13.7 VDC or higher? If no, then you have a bad alternator and/or a wiring issue associated with the alternator. If yes, then you more than likely have something that is running when the car is off. Let me know and I will help you with that.

Keep in mind that all of this assumes you have functional battery cables (which is a known problem with our cars) and the terminals on the battery are clean and making good connection. If you need some help figuring out if the battery cables are good, let me know and I will give you a few checks to make.

 

Thanks Thermo for the troubleshoot options I appreciate your incite.
Cheers!
Chazz