Hey all, I have a 1997 Mitsubishi Verada. Old but very low mileage when I got it a year ago so it’s in pretty good nick. The battery died on it a week ago so I got it replaced and back to working no problems. Now a week later (it was not driven in that week) the new battery is dead again. I feel a battery shouldn’t drain that quickly? But maybe it wasn’t fully charged when it was put in?
The problem now is that I am trying to charge it with a noco genius charger and I’m not sure if it’s even working. No matter whether I try it on repair mode, force mode, or regular charging via 12v the car is making an almost constantly “clicking” noise while the light inside the car and clock flash. Then periodically either the car horn or alarm (not sure which) will go off while supposedly charging. The horn becomes too obnoxious for neighbours so its hard to leave it charging too long but after at least an hour it was still doing this. I don’t know whether this is normal for this car, whether it indicates something is wrong, if its another issue all together?
This is my first car so I’m a bit clueless when it comes to this so I’m not sure what other info I can supply. Any advice would be welcomed!
Sounds like you have a parasitic draw on the battery somewhere. Perhaps start by finding the fuse for the alarm and pulling it out. Are there any aftermarket modifications? Dodgy stereo installation? Another possibility could be the ignition cylinder. Often, particulary in older csrs, they can become loose and be in the “on” or “accessory” position when the key is out and you think it’s off. I once had a similar problem with a 1984 BMW 5er. I found a “battery kill switch” that would disconnect the battery when the engine was off. Before I started the car, I would just flip the switch, which was a knob I mounted under the steering column, and it would start right up. Had it for years. Best of luck!
No mods no, it has a newer stereo in it that my cousin installed before he sold the car to me but it had never been an issue until just now so I’m doubting thats it. But all the other things you mentioned I couldn’t be sure of at all … stuff to think about though, I wouldn’t have a clue where to start eliminating those things but if I get someone to look at it I can definitely mention these, thank you!
I should clarify that the car had a mystery drain I could never find, and I added the switch to cut off the battery so it wouldn’t lose its charge.