The car sits in the driveway, and starts every time. Go to drive it around, shut the car off, and the battery is dead. The starter tests good, the battery tests good, the alternator tests good, brand new solenoid works, new ignition switch. Can't figure it out, as it only happens after driving the vehicle. When I got in the car to start it, acted like dead battery, pulled the key out, yet the car still kept trying to turn over. Unhooked the negative cable, then charged the battery back up, now when you touch the neg cable back to the battery the car wants to turn over without the key. This sounds like a starter problem to me, but the starter checks out. Any ideas???
Maybe a switch is stuck? for your lights or something? But that'd only drain the battery if you didn't start the car for a long period of time? or does it die instantly as soon as you turn it off then try to start it up again?
If the engine turns over if the battery is connected, sounds like the solenoid is stuck or your are getting voltage to the red/blue small wire at the solenoid. Unplug this wire and see if it still does it. If it does then the solenoid contacts are probably stuck(welded) together. you might try tapping on it with a screwdriver (gently) to free it up. If it doesn't turn over with the red/blue disconnected, then the ign switch may be supplying power to the wire or possibly a short through the neutral sw. (unlikely). you can isolate the switches by unplugging them. Voltage goes from the ignition switch to the neutral switch then to the solenoid depending on year model
Ok, We've replaced everything but the voltage regulator. The car sits for a couple of days, and the battery is dead again. We are going to try a new battery. Everything else in the system was replaced. We are on our 4th solenoid I think...had the current battery tested, and the test came out good for holding a charge, but it doesn't seem to be working. The alternator works, replaced and tested, new ignition switch, new starter, new cables and wires. Still wants to be dead after a couple of days or a day of driving.....just don't get it.....installed automatic choke, thought that might be it, disconnected it, and still doing the same thing. New coil, new points eliminator kit, etc.....could it be the voltage regulator??? Anyone?? Bueller???
If the only problem left is the battery going dead, you may have something draining it. Turn everything off, pull one battery cable, and put an ammeter between the cable end and the battery terminal. If current is flowing you might home in on the problem by pulling one fuse at a time to see where the current is flowing.
Have you replaced the ignition switch??? If its stuck in the on/acc position it will kill the battery. With the switch off test for power at the coil + connection and see if the turn signals work w/key off. If you have voltage there or the signals work, the switch isnt turning off or its stuck in the run/accessory position. Could be as simple as adjusting it properly or replacing it. Test the alternator/VR to be certain they are working properly also... If all tests good and battery cables and ground connections are good/new...You will need to test each circuit individually to find the current draw on your battery. Does your dome light work??? Low battery current will cause the starter solinoid to stick in the engaged position. Or its just bad...Not inconcievable to have a new part that is bad out of the box. However this doesnt really help with the battery going down after a few days. Good luck!!!
Change your starter solenoid, its a 50 50 chance with them made in china parts, even if they are new they can still be bad.
With all the time and money you have spent already maybe you should start diagnosing this instead of replacing parts. Every part and every circuit can be tested to see if it is good or not - quit throwing your money at the problem like a democrat and find the problem. What parts have been checked and how.
I had a little problem kind of like this engine still trying to crank after key was off and battery going dead....turned out that the altenator was shorting out against the head...short belt pulled it in too far. Worth a look at it.
Pull all the fuses, and see what happens the next couple of days. Or, pull one at a time, let it sit in between, and see what circuit is causing the drain. Do you have a trunk light?
check this out. it will give you some tests to do to try to find your problem http://books.google.com/books?id=3q...ook_result&ct=result&resnum=1&ved=0CBMQ6AEwAA#
