Hello guys, I have come here for help before and I really appreciate anybody's input.

Now here is my problem.

I bought a 2005 S2K with an aftermarket security system last October. Everything worked well until early this year after I had not driven the car for a couple of weeks in winter time. Then I couldn't start my car. People on this forum suggested the battery is dead. I went to have my battery recharged and everything worked fine for several weeks. Then one day after my wife drove the car she forgot to close the trunk...the battery died again and the guy in Autozone said it couldn't be recharged anymore...then i did a little bit research online and it seemed the reason might be the aftermarket security system drained the battery very fast and some people recommended the Yellow top. Then late last month I bought a yellow top from Advanceautoparts and my car could start and run after that. Then I left the S2k in my garage for over 3 weeks...Punch! the car couldn't start again..took the yellow top to Advanceautoparts and an old guy said it's the problem of alternator. I don't feel like so because I hadn't driven the car once since I installed the yellow top late last month so the alternator literally hadn't even kicked off once...Right now the yellow top is in Advanceautoparts being recharged...

I wonder if anybody can give me some insights...is it really the alternator problem or the security system?

thanks.

 

I have the same problem and I have a viper 5901. Gone through 3 batteries in the last 4 years

 

Get a trickle charger like a battery tender or something like that. Bam problem solved. How did the Vato-zone guy come to the conclusion you have a bad alternator, did he check the output? It should be something like ~14.6 volts at the battery with the car running. Are your dash lights flickering?

 

The guy in advanceautopart was just guessing...

i just took the battery to the store - my s2k wasn't running....

can you recommend a battery extender or something like that?

 

First off I would ditch the yellow top. The only good thing about Optima batteries is their advertising. Then only after you have installed a good battery, and confirmed that your alternator is working properly you can do a battery parasitic drain test. There are some good instructions here: Drain Test
Your battery should not drain over the course of a few weeks. I have let my '00 sit for over 2 months and it started, and I still have the original Honda battery installed in '99 when the car was new.

 

Disconnect your battery when the car is sitting for more then a couple weeks. have the alternator and battery tested in the car after it is recharged. they should show you on the tester what the results are. if the alternator is putting out good voltage 13.5-14.5 approx at idle, and it doesnt have an open diode or short. then its fine. an alternator with an open diode can drain a battery when sitting but run perfectly when you are driving.

 

Parasitic battery draw from the radio memory and remote locks WILL kill the battery in a couple of weeks; aftermarket security will do it faster.

Five bucks everywhere. Keep your radio code handy.



A battery tender works too but can be a hassle to plug in if you're not garaged.

Optima battery is very shock resistant. We're not Baha-ing the S2000. Get a replacement with the highest Reserve Capacity you can find.

-- Chuck

 

thanks for the info

I have done a little bit homework on the forum when thinking about what battery to buy...there are a few other recommendations but there doesn't seem to be a 'great' option..

 

thanks for your advice

will have the alternator tested.

 

thanks!

Got a question: if i use the battery disconnect switch, will the battery still drain even without being connected to anything? i do have a garage so maybe i just take the battery out and float charge it if i know i am not going to drive the car for a while

or i should just have the aftermarket alarm system removed?

if you suggest getting another battery, what would you recommend? need to think about it because just spent $140 for the yellow top..