battery help please

[mtthmpsn]

My FJ is a weekend driver. Sometimes I'll go 2 to 3 weeks without driving it and it usually has a problem starting after this time. I have a battery tender but don't want to have to hook it up after every weekend of driving. I don't think 2 to 3 weeks of sitting should kill a battery and it doesn't get very cold here in Houston.

Anyhow, my question: what could be causing the battery to drain so quickly? This is the second battery that's done this. The only thing I can think of that requires power when off is the radio, but I wouldn't think it takes much just to keep the clock and station memory. Are there any other components/wires I should look at that could be causing the problem? The terminals are clean with no corrosion. Thanks for any help. - Matt

 

[inkpot]

Howdy! Common problem on 30 year old rigs. Could be just about anywhere. You can track it down by pulling one fuse at a time. Disconnect the radio since you know it is a consumer. Put a meter between the positive battery terminal and cable. When it stops showing a current flow, then you pulled the right one. I did all the tail chasing for about 6 weekends and finally found that my alternator had a little bleeder(short) in it. Had to replace it to cure it. Now I'm good for many weeks at a time. OR, you could just lift a battery cable when you park it. They also make "battery cutoff switches" if you want to go that route. John

 

[BJ44V]

X2 with inkpot's idea. I have left my cruiser for over a month and a half and went out and she fired right up like it never sat at all. Good luck and happy hunting. Let us know what you find.

 

[Pighead]

You won't put your battery minder on a rig that's going to sit for 2 or 3 weeks?
Hmmmm....OK, how 'bout just pull off the ground cable?

 

[JohnnyC]

if you cant track down the drain...just put a $3 battery cut off switch on it...makes a great theft deterent also:
- Harbor Freight Tools - Quality Tools at the Lowest Prices

 

[DSRTRDR]

I just pull the main battery fuse

 

[dargreg]

Both of my 40,s been shorted in the altenator.As was said first one took many hours to find

 

[mtthmpsn]

Late reply, but I just got a chance to view this. Thanks for all the feedback. I'm gonna go at it this weekend. I'll let you know if I find the culprit.