Battery draining

Tiny
$BILL
  • MEMBER
  • 2005 CHRYSLER TOWN AND COUNTRY
  • 6 CYL
  • FWD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 112,000 MILES

Battery has been draining. Starter was bad and replaced. New battery installed. When the problem is occurring upon starting the car all gauges move as far as possible then return to normal. Seems like there is some kind of surge. Checked the car for any lights on and none are. The car has now returned to starting normally but would like to know where to turn if problem returns.
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Monday, April 25th, 2011 AT 7:59 PM

9 Replies

Tiny
WRENCHTECH
  • MECHANIC
  • 20,758 POSTS
There is not surge that's what they do when the battery is going bad here is a guide to confirm the issue and a guide to help run down easy battery drain problems.

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

and

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

Please run down these guides and report back.

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Monday, April 25th, 2011 AT 8:26 PM
Tiny
SAM.SMALL
  • MEMBER
  • 2 POSTS
Thank for the post I had this problem and to replace the battery the guide worked perfect
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Wednesday, February 27th, 2019 AT 1:20 PM
Tiny
PAUL2
  • MEMBER
  • 1 POST
  • 2002 CHRYSLER TOWN AND COUNTRY
  • 6 CYL
  • FWD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 63,000 MILES
For a 2002 Chrysler Town & Country, there is a power draw on the battery with all switches, lights, and key off. This causes the battery to go dead after a few days.
Attempts to solve:
1. Observed 1 amp drain between negative battery cable and battery post. Drain continued with all fuses and relays removed (separately), except when the IOD 15-amp fuse was pulled, drain dropped drastically (test lamp had barely perceivable glow).

2. One non-standard component in car is an aftermarket DVD player with screen in roof. This was installed before we got the car.

It appears to us that the problem relates to the IOD circuit, but we don’t know what to do in that regard. Thanks for your assistance.
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Wednesday, February 27th, 2019 AT 1:21 PM (Merged)
Tiny
KEN L
  • MASTER CERTIFIED MECHANIC
  • 42,468 POSTS
Hey Paul2,

Yes this car has a problem with the electric seat switch sticking in the forward or backward position. But there are many other situation that can cause this problem such as a CD stuck in the player, here is a great article on how to find the problem, please check it out and get back to us.

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

Best, Ken
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Wednesday, February 27th, 2019 AT 1:21 PM (Merged)
Tiny
BLWLECH94
  • MEMBER
  • 1 POST
  • 2002 CHRYSLER TOWN AND COUNTRY
  • 3.8L
  • V6
  • FWD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 178,000 MILES
I'm experiencing a.728A parasitic draw that's causes my battery to go dead in a little over a night or less. Upon removing the hazard lamp fuse the draw drops within spec.015A. I have to other small drains a.067A in the power slide door circuit, and.031A in the power lift gate circuit. I would like to correct all but am curious as to what further steps or TSB's are available on the hazard lamp circuit draw, as it disables my turn signals and my Odometer/Shift Selector Indicator display. How would I go about solving this?
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Wednesday, February 27th, 2019 AT 1:21 PM (Merged)
Tiny
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
  • MECHANIC
  • 107,922 POSTS
That is a tough one. I would say you need to start disconnecting switches that are related to that circuit until you notice the draw stop. That small of a draw, although able to drain the battery over time, isn't going to be a visible short. Start by disconnecting the flasher switch, then the signal switch. Not a fun job, I know, but a necessary evil.
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Wednesday, February 27th, 2019 AT 1:21 PM (Merged)
Tiny
RIVERMIKERAT
  • MECHANIC
  • 6,110 POSTS
Do you have an aftermarket stereo or entertainment system of any sort? Maybe an alarm system that was not factory installed?
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Wednesday, February 27th, 2019 AT 1:21 PM (Merged)
Tiny
GOOKINSYLVIA
  • MEMBER
  • 1 POST
  • CHRYSLER TOWN AND COUNTRY
I have a 1997 Chrysler Town and Country with 285,000 miles. Still running good. Recently changed battery. Several problems. Fixed the blinking light problem on dash by doing the a/c and holding down buttons thing. Won't go into this but it corrected the blinkiing lights but the speedometer does not work, all the gear shift lights are lit up and the trany won't shift out of first. Are these problems related or it electrical
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Wednesday, February 27th, 2019 AT 1:21 PM (Merged)
Tiny
SERVICE WRITER
  • MECHANIC
  • 9,123 POSTS
May be a re-learn problem from the pcm losing power.
Sometimes you need to drive it a few tmes to get it to re-learn.
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Wednesday, February 27th, 2019 AT 1:21 PM (Merged)

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