Battery drained, but why????

[matt_a]

I just got back from having to jump start my wife's '07 Vesa SL. She came out of her office to head home and the car was dead. I asked her if she left the headlights on and she says no. The dome light was set to "Door" so that's not the culprit. The car has the iKey (Keyless start). Is it possible that when she turned the car off this morning, maybe she didn't turn the knob on the steering column all the way to the off position? And if she didn't, what would have stayed on that would have drained the battery? She swears the radio and headlights were off, so I don't know what would have done it. It started right up with a jump. Any ideas???

[reyes1212]

does she have HIDs?

[matt_a]

does she have HIDs?

Nope...stock SL. No HIDs.

[bulld0g]

I bet the key switch wasn't turned all the way off ...I have done this a couple of times.....

[jmaclean]

I've also not turned the key switch all the way to the OFF postion, and only realized it when the car emitted that rapid, high-pitched tone, like when you try to lock it, but leave the keys inside. I can see how someone might get that rapid tone, and shrug it off and walk away from the car attributing it to gremlins.

I've also found the car unlocked in the morning when I've left it ouside of the garage, even though I swear that I locked it the night before. Anyone else had this happen? I suspect that maybe I hit the unlock button on the fob from inside the house.

[srellim234]

There may not be a drain on the system. My Versa battery was replaced under warranty last summer. It had a bad cell.

The Auto Club guy that came out checked the battery when he jumped it and discovered the defective cell. He indicated that it is happening more and more frequently as the years go on with new car batteries. And the problem is not limited to one brand of car.

Have the battery itself checked out.

[matt_a]

I've also not turned the key switch all the way to the OFF postion, and only realized it when the car emitted that rapid, high-pitched tone, like when you try to lock it, but leave the keys inside. I can see how someone might get that rapid tone, and shrug it off and walk away from the car attributing it to gremlins. ...

I honestly think that's what happened. She says she didn't leave the stereo on, but I'm not so sure. After the jump start she drove it home and parked it for the night. This morning it started right up and all seems fine. Who knows. I told her she needs to be 100% sure to have the ignition turned ALL THE WAY to the OFF position.