Modern cars have all sorts of electronics running in the background that will discharge the battery when stationary and as the battery ages and looses capacity the problem becomes more obvious.

You can check the 'stand by' consumption by removing one battery terminal and connecting an amp meter between the terminal and battery post with everything turned off, the current should not read more than about 100 m/a if it does pull out one fuse at a time until it drops and then note what that fuse supplies.

hi i have had the same problem for about six months now im just about to be sectioned lol the wife called into a car shop for a fan belt and the guy asked her if she was having any problems with the car and when she told him about the flat battery he laughed and told her to turn the key off properly if you look at the side of the ignition you will see a mark line your key up with the mark that will shut all the electrics off and it wont drain your battery try it hope it helps.

Dunno if this is any good to anyone but we had all the problems described with the battery being flat if you didnt use the car after for about 48 hours.Very frustrating it was as we bought a new battery but it still drained.An auto electrician friend of ours had a look but couldn't find any power shorts but he did notice that there is a spring loaded button just adjacent to the ignition.What he found was that if you held this spring loaded button in while you turned the key backwards and pulled it out then we didnt have any further problems with flat batteries.Apparantly it is not in the owners manual.There is a knack to it but you will know if you havent done it right if when you open your drivers door after taking the key the alarm will beep a couple of times.If you have done it right then you will hear nothing.This issue may be just local to our Grand Voyager but it is worth a try.

All the best

You could have hit upon the problem so many Chrysler users have with battery drain,I used to run AmIs and they all had the key release button and I used a PT cruiser for a few days recently this had the same if you did not press the button you could not remove the key but I will wager people have pulled the key so as to make the switch inoperable this would leave a multitude of electrical parts still live.

Dunno if this is any good to anyone but we had all the problems described with the battery being flat if you didnt use the car after for about 48 hours.Very frustrating it was as we bought a new battery but it still drained.An auto electrician friend of ours had a look but couldn't find any power shorts but he did notice that there is a spring loaded button just adjacent to the ignition.What he found was that if you held this spring loaded button in while you turned the key backwards and pulled it out then we didnt have any further problems with flat batteries.Apparantly it is not in the owners manual.There is a knack to it but you will know if you havent done it right if when you open your drivers door after taking the key the alarm will beep a couple of times.If you have done it right then you will hear nothing.This issue may be just local to our Grand Voyager but it is worth a try.

All the best

i think this could be the problem solved after reading your advice, this morning i have pushed the button on the ignition and behold the bing bing bing and the dash led milage has now stopped (thank F###) hoping this has cured the problem as I disconnect my battery everytime i leave it for more than 24 hrs

Here is a pic of my ignition, the only buttons I see are the wing mirrors and the traction control.

i.imgur.com/zexV6Wp.png

Am I missing something because I can't see any buttons as described

I had similar problems with poor starting with my 2.8 CRD Grand Voyager but noted that the heavy duty batteries from the likes of Halfords just wouldn't fit.

Fortunately, I spotted a comment on another site which suggested that owners like me 'bite the bullet' and purchase the sort of battery fitted in the states - the Odyssey 1500. This is exactly the same size as a normal battery but is an AGM (absorbed glass mat) type which generates a fantastic 1500 amps of cold cranking current whilst having a deep cycle capability - like 2 different batteries in one AND WITH AN 8 TO 10 YEAR DESIGN LIFE!

These are damned expensive - I got mine at a very good price from Devon 4 x 4 - only £218.40 delivered, compared to £250-300 elsewhere. Turned out to be money very well spent, it completely transformed the car and I would recommend it to anyone.

The car starts 1st tIme EVERY TIME even after standing idle for a week or so in sub-zero temperatures.

Read the data on the net chose the one you want (there are more powerful versions) then buy one. They are worth it just for the peace of mind knowing your vehicle will start even at -40°C and are guaranteed for 4 years in road vehicles.

Grumpy Grandpa, having also sufferred with this issue for the last 4 years (3 Chrysler replacements and one other after market commercial vehicle spec battery) I read your thread and I have just ordered the same from Devon 4x4 (you should ask for commission). I know it is bearly a month since your post but can I ask if you are still trouble free? As you say this battery is a lot more expensive than others but our recent cold spell should have been a good test. I am close to changing vehicles which is a shame as it is a fantastic, practical family vehicle and our only issue has been the battery.

Yet another victim of the voyager gel battery here (I have a 2007 2.8CRD). I was wondering if your new battery was still going strong? Have you had any issues with the reduced cranking amps? I'm considering a trickle charger, but would much rather have a reliable battery!!!

I was excited to review your comments. I want to buy the one you suggested..There are 2 types of 1500 Odyssey batteries. One is reverse terminal battery.Which one you recommend?

Odyssey PC1500-34/78 Battery

Odyssey PC1500-34 Reverse Terminals Batteryy Pmany C1500-34 Reverse Terminals Battery