SHORT VERSION:

2002 4Runner, battery dies, recharge, test at auto parts store OK, battery dies overnight, recharge, drive around the block, battery dead, parasitic drain test, no problems with drain, recharge, start car, get 14.4 volts across the terminals with car running, replace battery with new one, start car fine, drive car around the block, less trouble but still trouble starting.

FULL INFO:


I have a 2002 4Runner that has been running fine until the other day. I have a Kicker 1000 watt amp installed and the other day i was sitting in my driveway listening to some music. I went inside and turned off all the lights in my car.

I came out about an hour later to see the headlights flashing so i tried to start my car and it was dead. I put it on the charger and it didn't seem to charge right so i took it to the local auto parts store and they charged it and tested it and said the battery was OK.

I took it home and it started fine, the next morning when i went out to get in my car it was 100% dead, no lights, nothing. I put it on the charger again and got it to start. With the car running I got a multimeter and put it across the terminals and was getting 14.4volts. I drove the car once around the block and when i got back in the driveway I turned the car off and tried to start it again and it wouldn't even turn over.

I unhooked the negative of the battery and did a parasitic drain test and got .25mA. I took the charged battery to Walmart and they said it was a dead battery so I bought a battery and put it in my car. It started right up and I drove it around the block, when i got back in the driveway, I tried to start the car again and it had trouble turning over but did start. Now it just barely starts but that could be from the fact that the new battery has more CCA...

Any help is appreciated!

 

You mention you have a stereo, did you install it? Did you run your head unit to a constant power for more than just the clock? The red wire should be th eonly one getting constant power.

 

No, my stereo is installed correctly and even if it wasn't then the parasitic drain test would have told me that it was draining more power than necessary.

 

Update: Starter, Alternator and Battery tested good at auto parts store. They suggested that it could be a short and to check my amp wire for sclices. I checked the whole wire and there was no evidence of a short.

For now the car is starting fine but I don't know if the problem is gone...
Still open to ideas!