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parasitic battery drain Posted by billherbst [Email] (#2137) [Profile/Gallery] (more from billherbst) on Wed, 13 Dec 2023 21:17:24 Members do not see ads below this line. - Help Keep This Site Online - Signup |
Recently, my 1999 9-5 Sportwagon SE V6 has developed a nasty parasitic battery drain. The battery is two years old and tests good, but left connected in the car without being driven for 5 days will drain enough amps to no longer start the engine. After 10 days, the battery is completely dead, meaning it no longer powers even the lights or doors. After being trickle-charged back to 12.5 volts and disconnected for a week, the battery holds full charge with no loss of voltage at the terminals. So, it is obviously a parasiting drain.
I took the Saab to my local mechanics, who have previously been dependable and competent. They had the car for a week and told me that they couldn’t find the source of the drain. Luckily, they didn’t charge me anything, but now I’m flummoxed. Do I take the Saab to another repair place with mechanics I don’t know? Diagnosing and fixing an electrical problem could be an expensive wild goose chase with exorbitant costs.
I bought my beloved 9-5 used in 2005. It’s been the best car I ever owned, has only 101K at 24 years old, and — except for this battery drain problem — is still in great shape. However, I’m now 74, disabled, and not wealthy. I’m currently disconnecting the battery after each time I drive. If my house had a garage, I could easily trickle charge the battery once a week, but I park outside on the street, so that’s not really feasible.
Has anyone else encountered a similar problem or have advice about how I might proceed?
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