I have 1990 so the battery is in the rear. Is there ANYWAY to remove the battery without jacking it up and taking the wheel off? I only ask because it's in storage and it's hard to work in the small space. Can I remove the heat shield around the exhuast? I had it unplugged all winter. Drove it around 3 weeks ago. 3 weeks later the battery is dead. It was longer than I've ever gone before between drives...but 3 weeks.. is that normal? (new battery in '06)
I also have a 1990 with the battery in the rear. I replaced my battery from above, without removing the wheel and liner, and without removing any heat shields or anything else. Just loosened and removed the terminals/cables, took a deep breath, reached down there, grabbed it, and pulled it out. It's easier if you have one of those simple battery carrying straps that slide over the terminals. If you replaced the battery in '06 and the car has been sitting for three weeks, it should start instantly. You either have a bad connection or there is a draw that shouldn't be there. There is no way that the battery needs to be replaced again. Did you leave the key in the ignition switch?
Why yank it out? It's about 1 in 1000 chance that there is actually anything wrong with the battery, if it's less than a year old. You need to recharge it, then test for bad connections or current draw. It sounds to me like if you replace this battery with a new one, you are still going to have a problem. Do you have a voltmeter or a circuit test light? My six year old battery holds a charge for weeks at a time with no problem at all. I didn't start the car between November and January, and it was fine.
I've yanked mine out from the top before on a previous 348. Had some bloody knuckles but it came out. It's a toss-up as to which method is the most convenient - both are a pain in the arse. Either way, I would ask all of your friends and family to clear the premises, since you're likely to cuss a blue streak or two during the process. If you ever BUY a new battery, buy the smallest one you can with the correct cranking amps. A smaller battery goes in and out MUCH easier.
Try to change the earth wire with the bullet connector. If it didn´t cause you any problems before it will in the future. There is another one under the air filter on the plus side. Change that one as well. All the way from the battery to the starter. It is always a good idea to clean the ground connection. Many electrical problems originate from bad negative connections. Good Luck! //B//
I wanted to charge it, but I don't have power at the storage facility - nor will they let me plug into outlest outside the building. I checked the grounds and everything seems fine. I don't have a voltmeter, but the lights in the car work, but dim down after a bit. If I do get it charged...how can I tell if there is a draw...and more specifically can I tell where the draw is coming from? Thanks!
Did you try jumping starting it? I have one of those portable emergency starters that I keep recharged all the time, and I also keep my car in a storage facility. It works great when the battery drains since I can't get another car in there close enough to jump it. I also doubt there's anything wrong with your battery. My battery is new as well, but it will also drain after sitting for 3 weeks or so, especially if I didn't drive it much before I put it away, although it does go longer with a charge now that it's in climate controlled storage.
