2001 Mustang V6-Battery draining power somewhere.

BigDorin60 · 09-20-2009

I have a 2001 Ford Mustang. Last year I kept having this issue where I would drive for 30 minutes and the next day it would start up just fine. However, if I didn't start the car everyday, the next day it would not start. If figured it was my battery so I got it changed. The next day after it seemed fine. Two days go by and I didn't start it and what do you know, now it won't start again.

My car sat in my fraternity house lot for about 10 months. Last night I got it jump started, drove 30 miles and got it home fine. Now, 12 hours later it won't start on its own. I figured the battery is good because it has not been used much. The alternator can't be going out because else it would get no power. I think I must be leaking power somewhere. When I was in my car this morning it had enough power to try to start it for like 10 seconds, but it was slow and then all i hear is this ticking sound every time I turn the ignition. There is still some power left in it, but not enough to turn on the engine. In another day or 2 there will be absolutely no power left.

Some things about my car. I have a 12 inch sub in the back which was wired by myself and professionally over 3 years ago. I never had a problem with it or with the system leaking power. I have an alarm system hooked up which could be leaking power, I'm not sure. Also when I first got into my car, without putting the key in the ignition, I hear my CD changer keep going and going and going. It gets stuck and I believe it is broke. Could that be the cause of my power leak? Could it be the alternator is not strong enough? Could my sound system now be causing some sort of power leak? I have a OBDII I could hook up to the car but I don't think that could show me a power leak or power usage of the car. Right now there is still enough power to power up my security system and even radio, but only fast loud ticking when I try to turn it on.

Please, if anybody has had this issue or knows how they could help me I would greatly appreciate it. If it go try to get it fixed all they would say is that I would need a new battery, then say my alternator is bad which I am not sure is. Is there a way to test my alternator?

2001 V6 Ford Mustang.
5 speed Manual Transmission.

Markstang690 · 09-21-2009

theres no question about it that the cd changer being on and cycling all the time would cause your battery to die eventually... but usually in situations like this there is either a short draining your battery or your security system/alarm is what is causing the battery to drain over a period of time. try unhooking your alarm system and seeing if your power leak goes away

BigDorin60 · 09-21-2009

Quote:

Originally Posted by Markstang690

theres no question about it that the cd changer being on and cycling all the time would cause your battery to die eventually... but usually in situations like this there is either a short draining your battery or your security system/alarm is what is causing the battery to drain over a period of time. try unhooking your alarm system and seeing if your power leak goes away

I will try to unhook my alarm system today and see if that makes a difference.

BigDorin60 · 09-21-2009

I disconnected the wire to the speaker of the after market alarm. I am not sure where to exactly disconnect the after market alarm from the battery itself. I am also looking for the stock alarm that came with the car because for some reason the dashboard keeps blinking and making a ticking sound every time I enter or leave the car. The dashboard will blink and then the click sound is heard every time it blinks. The outside lights will also flash while the dash and CD player/radio are blinking. I believe this is caused by the stock alarm.

Where can I find the stock alarm on 2001 mustangs connected? I believe it is low, maybe under the engine for I cannot see a speaker or find where the sound comes from.

Where is an after market alarm usually connected at?

Markstang690 · 09-21-2009

hmm sorry i dont really know where that would be ive just heard many times on these forums in the past where an alarm system would drain the battery.. hopefully someone else can help you better than i can

BigDorin60 · 09-23-2009

Quote:

Originally Posted by Markstang690

hmm sorry i dont really know where that would be ive just heard many times on these forums in the past where an alarm system would drain the battery.. hopefully someone else can help you better than i can

I ripped out the wire connected to the secondary alarm speaker. The car started fine today. Maybe I have solved the problem? The dash still blinks and ticks.

hatawna · 09-24-2009

can you remember the last time you replaced the battery? sounds to me your problem is either the battery not charging, or your alternator is not charging your battery.

if you suspect a "leak" in your electrical then you could have a grounded wire somewhere, but i dont think that's what's causing your problem.