I have owned my 2.2 95 cavalier for about a year including about a 6 month down time when i spun a bearing.. I have been though about 4 or 5 batteries that test bad when replaced and two alternators... I don't believe it is common to go though batteies that fast.. What could be causing this? It's getting expensive and tiring.


- Your not-so-local, untrained, uncertified, backyard mechanic. But my @!#$ runs

check the wiring. sounds to me like you have a parasitic draw somewhere. should have busted out the multimeter after the second battery.



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My first guess would be some bad grounds. Neg. battery cable would be the first place to look. And you said you've had a spun bearing, so if the engine's been out of the car at all, it wouldn't be a bad thing to look around for. I know there's more than just a couple of grounds and I didn't appreciate putting them back on in my car, but it had to be done.





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I'll test with the MM tomorrow.. could have parasitic draw because I just swapped in a v-6.. could have some loose ends somewhere i guess.


- Your not-so-local, untrained, uncertified, backyard mechanic. But my @!#$ runs

Never mentioned that in previous post.

But with my V6 swap it's known to sit for months on end. Has no problem with battery being dead when I go to try and start the car again.





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What did you do with the ABS? I know I had a big parasitic draw with my J-car ABS module when I tried to wire it to the 3.8L PCM.. it powered up all the time, and drained the battery in a few days time.

I didnt touch the abs.. its still hooked to the j-body pcm


- Your not-so-local, untrained, uncertified, backyard mechanic. But my @!#$ runs

I think he may have been asking me. But I have the same answer... it's hooked to the Cav PCM. However, it only works about 50% of the time or less (here lately it's been worse about workign). I think it has something to do with either A) Some communication lines not being hooked up, or B) The system shutting down when it's seeing wheel speed, but no other signs that the engine is running.





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My abs has been doing that since I got my car.. if its cold, like i start it and leave, if i hit the brakes the rear right tire locks and I just slide to a stop.. kinda gay.. I want to eliminate the abs all together.. Doesnt it just take a portioning valve and a few new lines?


- Your not-so-local, untrained, uncertified, backyard mechanic. But my @!#$ runs

i sure hope your not useing the walmart, neverstart battery.
if you are go somewhere else for a battery

herculesinwyoming wrote:i sure hope your not useing the walmart, neverstart battery.
if you are go somewhere else for a battery

That's what i'm using. 1 year battery going on 4 years now.




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i have heard plenty of guys have good luck with the neverstart battery,
i must be a rare one that has had multiple problems with them in different vehicles, my first problems were way back in 98, and then my cavalier when i bought it had one in it and it was a brand new battery, he couldnt figure out why it had so much trouble with the battery going dead. First thing i changed was to a interstate battery and it hasnt had anymore issues.

i just wont buy the never start anymore, im glad yours has done well for you

I think it is one of them cheap-o batteries.. I put some Epsom salt in the cells and my battery still dies but when I hit the key the volts get higher instead of lower.. starts eveytime.. got so dead the radio lost the presets and it started on its own power... cool little trick i'd say.


- Your not-so-local, untrained, uncertified, backyard mechanic. But my @!#$ runs

do you have an after market stereo system IE head unit amps subs?

Sounds like a grounding problem. Do this test. Take the MM and connect the positive lead to the battery / negative lead to CHASSIS ground. Your resistance should be <0.5 ohms MAX. If it is higher than that, you need to upgrade the negative cable on the battery. If that still doesn't solve the issue, check the grounds on any aftermarket stereo (headunit, amp, caps, etc.). Still having problems? Invest in an engine grounding kit.

I agree. You have a parasitic draw somewhere in the car.