2003 Nissan Xterra Starting engine

1SKULLY

MEMBER
2003 NISSAN XTERRA
3.3L
V6
4WD
AUTOMATIC
154,737 MILES

Bought a new battery in November 2013 after it finally went dead on me. Then in March this year, started to have that low battery starting problem again. Had to be towed to garage; they determined it was the starter, so they replaced it on April 9th. This last week, I had problems starting engine again with the same thing. As if the battery was low. Took it to the same garage, they tested the starter, alternator and battery of course. They checked out just fine, so they determined that it is something electrical that is causing this problem and that I need to go to a electrical lab. Before I do this, what else needs to be checked?

Sunday, May 11th, 2014 AT 11:33 AM

4 Replies

WRENCHTECH

MECHANIC
20,761 POSTS

You, ay have a parasitic draw pulling the battery down when it's parked.

There is a procedure for finding a battery draw like that.

You will need a digital ammeter and a jumper wire with clips on the ends to do this.
First rig any door switches so you can have a door open without triggering the interior lights and unplug the hood light. Remove one battery cable and attach the meter in series between the battery cable and battery post. Take the jumper wire and also attach it the same way. Leave the jumper wire on for at least 10 minutes to expire all the automatic timers. Now remove the jumper wire and read the meter. Anything over 50ma is too much draw. The way you locate this is to start removing fuses one at a time until the meter drops to normal level. This will be the circuit with something staying on. Determine what components are part of that circuit and check them individually until the problem is isolated.

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Sunday, May 11th, 2014 AT 1:09 PM

1SKULLY

MEMBER
3 POSTS

Thanks for the response. Your instructions were very clear. I remembered now, that is what the mechanic said yesterday. That it may be a parasitic draw pulling on the battery. So if I'm unable to do this testing.I will need to take vehicle to electrical lab. Right?

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Sunday, May 11th, 2014 AT 1:28 PM

WRENCHTECH