So, Monday I wasn't able to start the car in the morning. Hadn't checked the forecast and it had gone from -10°C to -30°C (-22F) overnight and hadn't plugged it in, go to start it in the morning and just get that nice dead battery solenoid click but no crank. Put the small battery charger on it and plugged it in, 3.5 hours later when I tried it I got the same result, just a click.
Got it boosted, and it's started fine since but took it to a local garage tonight and their battery tester showed 100% battery health but only about 70% charge, reading 12.2V. They suggested taking it for a trip on the highway to charge it a bit. I realize I do fairly short trips with it to work, but by the time I hit the remote start, warm it up a bit, and get to work the engine's been run about 15 minutes
Out of curiosity when I got home clamped my AC/DC amp meter on the -'ve wire (can't get it around the +'ve wires) and it was only reading about 2.5A. Does that seem right, or should I be looking deeper?
Battery that's in it is a Nissan branded 640CCA one that's just shy of 4 years old.
Have your alt load tested. But from what you've described, I'd still say battery is bad also. As for parasitic drain when off running it down, yes, possible but I recommend knowing the charging system and battery is good before going down that road, but by all means, easy for you to do and a worthwhile check even if just for the experience/knowledge for you.
