Slow Battery Drainage- Corroded Cables?

[codfizzle]

So just this last weekend my Leggy's battery went dead for no apparent reason. Bought the battery brand new about 5 months ago, and haven't had any problems up until this point. Then it just started doing this thing where every time I turn the car off, the battery loses all of its juice over the course of 2-4 hours. So i disconnect the negative battery cable now after I shut the car off, and it keeps the juice from draining out. I just had the battery and charging system checked about 2 months ago and everything was a-ok. I can tell the the alternator is charging, and it seems that the battery is able to hold a charge (I'll get it tested at the parts store this weekend to make sure). I did notice that both my positive and negative battery cables are VERY corroded. Could this be the problem?

Now I kinda feel like an ass, because when I bought the battery, I also bought a new set of battery cable ends (just the terminal connectors, not the cables), and my mechanic buddy said: "Well that was kinda dumb- if your gonna spend $13 on a pair of terminal ends, you might as well have just spent $20 and gotten new cables (which, obviously, come with new terminal connectors anyways)". Now I'm thinking he was right. When I bought the battery and terminal ends, there was some corrosion on the battery cables, but I cleaned it off with baking soda water and sprayed it with anti corrosive spray before putting the new ends on. This didn't help anything. Its 5 months later and the cables are now pretty much solid corrosion. Is this battery drainage a common symptom of really corroded battery cables?

Also I just Installed my stereo system about a month ago, and haven't had a single problem for weeks until now. But I checked and re-checked all the stereo connections to make sure there wasn't any problems with my install, and everything is fine on that side of things, so it's something else. I'm sure I'll end up just buying a new set of battery cables, but I wanted to see if anyone else has had a similar problem first.

[Saskatoon Subaru]

you have a draw of some kind and to find it this is what i would do.

1.Get a test light.
2.take negative cable of battery
3. put test light between the battery negative terminal and the negative battery cable you just took off.(If you have a draw the light should come on.)
4.start disconnecting different things till the light goes off.

Thats about the simplest way.

[codfizzle]

OK so I've fixed my battery drainage problem. I did two things at the same time, so I'm not sure which one of them fixed the problem. First, I put in a new set of battery cables (at only $8 a piece, why not?). Second, I adjusted the striker plates on my doors so that the "door ajar" lights wouln't stay on all night. I think the latter is the one that actually fixed the problem. I never thought that just 2 of those little indicator lights would suck that much juice out of the battery, but over time and in fridgid weather conditions, I guess they can.

[92 Rally]

you have a draw of some kind and to find it this is what i would do.

1.Get a test light.
2.take negative cable of battery
3. put test light between the battery negative terminal and the negative battery cable you just took off.(If you have a draw the light should come on.)
4.start disconnecting different things till the light goes off.

Thats about the simplest way.

Now that is a interesting way to check for a draw.... Can not say I have ever seen anyone use this method let alone try it for myself. I might have to try this on the next car I get in with a draw just to try it. Id much rather trust a DVOM then a test light especialy when dealing with draws that are around .02amps.

[beatersubi]

Test light is easier.

[92 Rally]

Will a draw of .05amps light up a test light? I have a hard time believing it will.

[92 Rally]

OK guys, you got me interested in this now. I have a newer Porsche in the shop that I decided to try this out. I hooked up my test light right off of the battery, and put a DVOM in line with it so I can monitor the draw. Right now as she sits its pulling .122amps and the test light is ON. I will give it a hour and check back.

I was discussing this with the shop owner and another tech. They both go "oh yeah thats how we used to always do it back in the day!" Neither one could tell me the limits though, and soon became interested in my test.

[beatersubi]

Will a draw of .05amps light up a test light? I have a hard time believing it will.

I've never measured, either. But I vote yes.

[92 Rally]

OK, so results are in....

At .04amps the light was on ever so dim.

At .03amps the light was off.