Help with battery problem
 

Hi guys, I have a problem with the battery. For some reason after I shut off everything the car the lights, the battery dies overnight or in a couple hours, for some reason the car is consuming electric while its all off, I tried to replaced the battery twice its not the battery.

Any info or suggestions let me know thanks for your time!

Car info 2009 Nissan 370z 33k miles.

Have you installed any aftermarket electronics i.e. Stereo, lights?

Any CELs coming on? Any idea what the volt meter is saying when the car is on? Based on that number you can narrow it down to or rule out the alternator which is a likely culprit.

Some people have "double tapped" the start/stop button, leaving the car in accessory mode by mistake.

Is the alternator putting out enough juice? Check the voltmeter on the top of the dash - should be reading at least 14 volts. Doesn't guarantee the alternator is OK, but it's a good sign if 15 volts or so.
Some auto parts stores will still check your alternator and battery for free. Grab the Yellow Pages and start calling.

Check the fuses and fusible links immediately next to the battery terminal. Use an ohmmeter or voltmeter; don't trust your eyes.

As per TreeSemdyZee, have you added anything electrically powered that is not turning off?

Check the water level in the battery. Add distilled water as needed.

Check battery connections and grounds for corrosion.

That's all I can think of right now. Good luck.

Might want to go to the dealershit to see if your car has loose wiring anywhere

This, could be bad alternator not charging the battery while its running.

No i did not everything is stock.

Alternator is giving between 14 and 16, the battery replaced two times, the car is not being forgotten in ACC mode, Ill check some fuses today.

Any specific fuses that might be connected with this that would be a good idea to check?


Thanks for help to all much appreciated.

Hmmmmmm... Seems like you're shorting something somewhere... And with a high draw, because even if I leave a map light on for a few hours or even overnight, my car will still start, and I'm on the 3 year old OEM battery...

Did you buy the car used? Or, sorry to state it like this because it's a bit personal, but are you a "high risk" loan customer? Sometimes if your car was used, or you are a "high risk" customer the previous owner or dealership or loan company will request to have a GPS tracker installed which could be drawing power.


(My last car, a 2009 Maxima, was a rental car and it had a GPS tracker/remote locking device)

Look through the FSMs (available on this site at Nissan 370Z Owners Manual / Service Manuals - Nissan 370Z Forum), especially the PG (Power Supply & Ground) section. The fuse/fusible link box I was referring to is shown on page PG-85.

One other thing to check: battery voltage when car is turned off. Should read ~13.2V immediately after killing the engine.
Let sit for a few hours and take another voltage reading. If it reads below about 12.3V (~75% charged), then the battery has a problem, you have a drain somewhere, or you are not charging.

LOL, me and SouthArk went over battery issues and voltages a lot, the man knows what he is talking about

I bought the car used yes, where would the gps tracker be located if a loan company had it?

Thanks SouthArk370Z I will check the battery again. i didn't check the battery voltage before but it seems that the car is consuming power while its completely off, takes the power from the battery. I replaced it two times, Ill replace it again since the battery is under warranty.

Any more suggestions much appreciated.

Thanks to all!

Don't just start swapping parts yet. If the battery will take a charge, there is no reason to return/replace it.


If you are sure that the alternator is in spec and that the battery is taking a charge, then you need to track down the "ghost" load.

When the car is off, do you see any lights or hear any noises? Ie, is something on that shouldn't be on?

Get an ammeter and insert it in place of fuses until you find an abnormal current draw when the car is off.

Can you feel (an IR temperature monitor will work better/faster, if you have one) any warm spots in the wiring, relays, and control modules? This will be a PITA to check as you will have to remove misc covers and panels to get to everything. For the IPDM-E/R and other parts under the hood, wait until after the engine compartment cools to ambient temperature before probing.