My daughter's 98 Ford Escort has had the battery drain 3 times in the last 5 months. Each time the battery took a boost and ran fine for a couple of months. So I'm thinking the battery is not the problem. And the alternator seems to work fine.

In driving her car around the block a few times to charge up the battery, I noticed she had left her phone recharger plugged in to the cigarette lighter. I know that AC rechargers are constantly drawing a trickle charge so I wonder if car rechargers work similarly. Could that be what was draining the battery?

Scott<>

CroCivic91

I really don't know the answer to your question, but I guess the best way would be to ask her not to leave her recharger plugged in, and see what happens.

Fr_Chuck

Scott I am about the last person to answer anything about cars.

But I do work with batteries all the time in electric wheel chairs.

I find that often a poor or week battery will hold a charge normally and will recharge but will loose it more quickly. With this a battery will go weak quicker than normal, and a colder night, and other things can cuase it to happen. If you run by a Auto Zone or something they can do a check on your battery real easy.

Next of course I had a trouble with my pickup where the alternator belt was slightly loose, and did not fully charge all the time.

But just some opinons ( guesses) from a real non car mechanic

educatedhorse_2005

If it is the same battery that came with the car that could be part of the problem.

It wouldn't hurt to get the alternator checked most parts house will do it for free.

thebriggsdude

If the battery has some age on it (2 to 4 years maybe) take it to a autoparts store, get money on the old battery and use it on a new one..... and have the alternator checked.... (I don't like advance on the alternators though after they screwed me over the first and last time, I prefer napa for parts) And the charger is drawing some power for sure (I'm not exactly sure how much) but these things are best left unplugged when not in use. Theres no light that wants to stay on in the car is there? This will kill a battery in no time, even check the glove compartment light.

talaniman

Sounds like the beginning of battery problems. Usually ac will not drain a battery unless it is already getting weak.Belts and the alternator can be checked when you change the battery at Auto-zone if you have one

ScottGem

Well, it started first thing this morning, but died a couple of blocks from the house. Had it towed to our mechanic. Tensioner belt slipped then broke and battery shot. They are fixing it now.

Scott<>