Need Help...Car won't keep a charge

[SHOLUV]

My new and beautiful low mileage 99 SHO seems to have a problem. On Thursday, it wouldn't start so I got AAA over here to give me a jump start. I subsequently had the battery and alternator checked and they are both OK. The car started fine this morning but when I went out to start it this evening, it would not start. What could it be? I'm starting to freak out. Please help! Thanks!

 

[CerberuS]

Did you have a REAL load test on the batt? or just the voltage?

heres some inputs:

Some short or aftermarket crap drains your batt even when car is parked in the driveway. That , you can check on how much amps you batt must give when everything is off. Theres always some juice passing (clock-pcm-etc) But sometimes , something else is draining it.

Alt not charging enough (but you tested it)

Batt is failled and cant keep the charge. (but you tested it.)

 

[SHOLUV]

I think it was probably just a voltage test. I'm going to go ahead and get a new battery and see what happens. This car is so clean. The battery cables are super clean. What can make the battery drain while it's parked in the driveway? Thanks for your input. I really appreciate it.

 

[1993MTXSHO]

I have that problem on my 93 mtx but its not so sudden usualyl takes 2-3 weeks for the battery to drain. Do you have an aftermarket stereo, I think thats what drains mine. I also dunno if this pertains but on my mustang (1969 model year) i had that problem. Would turn the key and nothing right after i drove it tot the gas station. Then no start jumped it and it was fine. Long story short I tracked it down to my igntion, the wires were loose and sometimes it made contact and sometime it didnt. just something else to think about, could be a loose connection somewhere as well that just cuts power to the engine.

 

[SHOLUV]

No aftermarket anything. I can't imagine what is draining the battery. I'll have to do a process of elimination. Thanks much.

 

[NotSoSlowSHO]

If it is a drain, it could be something as simple as an under-hood light that doesnt turn off when you close the hood.

Its happened before

 

[SHOLUV]

I wonder if the blinking "theft" light has anything to do with it? It blinks when the car is off. I don't know if this is normal.

 

[CerberuS]

As far as i know , no that light uses very little juice.

 

[SuperHO]

That's not gonna draw enough current to **** the battery. Where did you have the battery and altenator tested? Also, take a gander up under the car behind the passenger side front tire and visually inspect your altenator. The one on my 98 was cracked clean in half, and the bearing was seized....it was charging at 11 volts or so at an idle, but it wasn't enough to keep things charged up.

Have them both tested by Auto Zone or some place like that who've got that nice lil cart that they gotta wheel out and hook up....

 

[SHOLUV]

Thanks, Ya'll.

I had them tested at Kwik Kar (don't know if you have them where you live). I had to go get the car inspected in order to get my tags and I asked them to test both. The alternator was charging at 13.something. I'm gonna look underneath and see if I can spot anything unusual.

 

[CerberuS]

The something is important.

13.0 = not enough bad alt. , 13.9 = ok

Normal Alt charging is 14.4 on a good batt.

 

[RoadSHO]

I had similiar problem with my 97. Bought new battery at Wal Mart for $35, problems disappeared. Has been working fine for 6 months.

 

[SHOLUV]

Took it to Firestone. It was the battery. Thanks, All.