96 Honda Civic HX Battery Keeps Dying
 

Hey all I just signed up for the forums. I recently purchased a 96 civic HX. Current problem is something keeps draining the battery. I bought a battery in January and it died in August. I thought maybe it was just a bad battery. But the replacement battery just died today only a few days later. I'm not sure what the problem could be. I do know that the ECU fuse kept blowing 15 amp fuses so I put in a 20 for now till I could figure out that problem. If anyone might have any ideas to what I could look for to fix it or any questions to ask to help narrow down the problem it would be much appreciated. Getting tired of winding up dead on the side of the road.

Thanks

Don't use larger fuses. Look for frayed wires around the engine, particularly on the back where they go over the intake manifold bracket (best seen from underneath). That was a problem on the 96.

Check the charging system -- measure voltage at the battery with the engine running (everything else off), should be more than 13.5.

For parasitic drains, a big one is the light in the trunk or hatch area staying on. If it has an aftermarket sound system with separate amplifiers, make sure the amps power down with the key off.

Sounds like an alternator

I'll check for wires and i'll replace the fuse too. I after what happened last night I think its the alternator too. It died in my travels and it just couldn't keep a charge. I had to jump it and let the battery charge for awhile...about 3 times on the trip home it died and again in my driveway.

Thanks for the replies!