Battery drains overnight (twice.) `89 Accord Honda

One morning the car won't start because of a dead battery. I'd jump
started it and went on my way. The next morning, the battery had
drained again. I pop the hood and turn on the ignition and notice the
AC fan is running. Then I charge the battery I connect the battery
terminal to the car. Just right when I connect the battery I hear a
click (a relay click, with igntion off, right below the battery, but fan
not running) that I'd never heard before. The click noise and drain
problem are gone today, but I fear it will come back. What can I
do to prevent my battery from draining again?

Thanks

 

You could pull one fuse at the time until the click goes away. How old is
your battey...I would have it load tested for free. You never know? Good
Luck.

 

Sometimes intermittent battery drain with the engine off can drive you nuts.

Simple reasons are lights (glove compartment, trunk, etc) that may not
always
turn off when they should, relays that lock on when they shouldnt.

Since it doesnt always happen, it can be hard to find.

You can
-buy a battery disconnect, and decouple the battery every night. It works
but is a PITA
-remove a different fuse every night, until you find the circuit that is
offending. (Some circuits are
perhaps on fusible links, not fuses) Then start down the circuit,
eliminate branches as you go.

This happened to me on an 89 Buick Regal. I finally found it (whereas a
dealership or independent
mechanic might have given up, or at least charged me a ton) by the method
mentioned above. The item
causing the problem was a relay which activated the seat belt
retractors...in the cold of the night, and
even then only occasionally. It was enough to give me a flat battery every
morning until the case was
solved.

 

You could also stick an ammeter in the line with the battery and
troubleshoot without all the waiting.
You can wriggle connectors and fuses to your hearts content while watching
the meter.

just my .02

 

It is a good idea, and I have done it this way too. If the drain is only
intermittent, then you
can wait a long time to see the problem. Hours sometimes.

Sometimes the xxxing intermittent is so difficult to find that you have to
take the
previously mentioned procedure.

 

on our old 88 Accord, the fault was the flip lights motor was always turned
on even the car was off causing the battery to drain out.

 

Hi Sam,

Please see Section 10 in the FAQ on www.batteryfaq.org.

Kindest regards,

BiLL.......