2009 Journey SXT battery going dead every 3-4 months

[SGIFL]

NEW 2009 Journet SXT 11K 10 months old.

Battery dead April again July AT DEALER NOW Tallahassee Chrysler Dodge Jeep.

Chrysler Corp/tDealer says cars must be started every 7-10 days.

Car was run just a few days before battery went dead on both occasions.

In talking to CHRYSLER CORP this AM I told them I would post their claim that all cars should be started every 7-10 days-- they said OK.

Do you think that the thousands of cars every where at factories and on dealer lots are started like this.

[Journeyissues]

Sounds like another Chrysler BS story. You have something draining your battery, not just Theft Control either. You do not have to start the car every 7-10 days.

[warbird24]

Not enough info to comment on here. For a proper diagnosis a Tech would need to know how far you drive

on a given day, how long the car sits between starts as well as where it sits during those down times. Batteries

do go bad from HEAT as much as they do from the cold weather. I have replaced more batteries this month than I did

in ALL of March or April. There are things that can drain a battery down. Simple thing like a dome light way in the back

being left on. Had that happen to us with our New Journey, the grand kids had left a light on in the middle row and that drained the

battery. That is not a failure or fault of the design nor Chrysler, it just happens.

[SGIFL]

Car is garaged on St George Island FL, Driven weeky at least a day. At 11K miles would ave @250mi per week, may sit for a week.

I would think the Sp Grav of the battery would tell a weak cell if they test anymore.

Problem is I am 100 miles from dealer in Tallahassee thus-up/ back with two cars 300 miles and return to pick up when repaired 300 miles-- so each time = 600 miles. Since less than one year old --I want a new battery.

They use the 530 cCCA battery loest on the line-- they should use a 625+ with all trhe gadgetry. As always use the lowest that meets the needs. I am working through Chrysler Corporate. I purchased 100K cars from them in the last few years. They may lose a loyal customer over a battery or an upgrade to a higher CCA.

Not enough info to comment on here. For a proper diagnosis a Tech would need to know how far you drive

on a given day, how long the car sits between starts as well as where it sits during those down times. Batteries

do go bad from HEAT as much as they do from the cold weather. I have replaced more batteries this month than I did

in ALL of March or April. There are things that can drain a battery down. Simple thing like a dome light way in the back

being left on. Had that happen to us with our New Journey, the grand kids had left a light on in the middle row and that drained the

battery. That is not a failure or fault of the design nor Chrysler, it just happens.

[SGIFL]

Car is garaged on St George Island FL, Driven weeky at least a day. At 11K miles would ave @250mi per week, may sit for a week.

I would think the Sp Grav of the battery would tell a weak cell if they test anymore.

Problem is I am 100 miles from dealer in Tallahassee thus-up/ back with two cars 300 miles and return to pick up when repaired 300 miles-- so each time = 600 miles. Since less than one year old --I want a new battery.

They use the 530 cCCA battery loest on the line-- they should use a 625+ with all trhe gadgetry. As always use the lowest that meets the needs. I am working through Chrysler Corporate. I purchased 100K cars from them in the last few years. They may lose a loyal customer over a battery or an upgrade to a higher CCA.

Not enough info to comment on here. For a proper diagnosis a Tech would need to know how far you drive

on a given day, how long the car sits between starts as well as where it sits during those down times. Batteries

do go bad from HEAT as much as they do from the cold weather. I have replaced more batteries this month than I did

in ALL of March or April. There are things that can drain a battery down. Simple thing like a dome light way in the back

being left on. Had that happen to us with our New Journey, the grand kids had left a light on in the middle row and that drained the

battery. That is not a failure or fault of the design nor Chrysler, it just happens.

[warbird24]

The Battery is one of my concerns also. It's location and difficulty getting too it is another. Why Chrysler insists

on putting batteries in locations that normal folks have problems getting to is beyond me. At least my 93 Caravan

was right on top. This Journey is a pain to get to the battery.

[SGIFL]

I forgot to reply back after I found the problem-- the LED Flashlight BUS causes a drain enough to have the battery not start the car. I did put in a 750 CCA battery and that did not help - if you leave the rear flashlight in the holder but not snapper in to the charging unit --the problem is SOLVED --no drain at all after sitting unstarted for over three months.

[Doug D]

The Battery is one of my concerns also. It's location and difficulty getting too it is another. Why Chrysler insists

on putting batteries in locations that normal folks have problems getting to is beyond me. At least my 93 Caravan

was right on top. This Journey is a pain to get to the battery.

It's not that bad. Jack the left front up - either remove the LF tire or turn the wheels to the right. There is a panel in the fender cover that is removed and the battery is right there. Yes, not as easy as a battery located on top, but it's not that bad either.

If you really want to complain, try R&R 16 sparkplugs on a Hemi (3 hour job minimum).......

I forgot to reply back after I found the problem-- the LED Flashlight BUS causes a drain enough to have the battery not start the car. I did put in a 750 CCA battery and that did not help - if you leave the rear flashlight in the holder but not snapper in to the charging unit --the problem is SOLVED --no drain at all after sitting unstarted for over three months.

But you didn't "fix" the problem. You just isolated where the issue is. Need to find out why the LED Flashlight BUS is draining the battery. Nothing like a half-baked "repair".........

[SGIFL]

I brought it to the attention of the Tallahassee DCJ Service Manager, he indicated that it is in the "bus" offered no further diagnosis.So I leave it un-snapped, and charge it on occasion, I know not ther best but the drive from ST George Island to Tallyl and back with another car to follow and drive back then return = 100 each up to drop off (200), 100 back (100)--100 (100) back up again to pick up , 100 each back (200). So "600 Miles" for each time they would say it would be fixed. If not then start the 600 miles again. Been through that at Tall DCJ on wifes car with a 2001 Sebring Convertible seven times 4200 miles of driving in the first 2000 miles on the Sebring-mostly idiot lights, blowing horn, leaking top hydralic lifts and door open hold hinges. Was better on the 2006 Sebring Convertible, even better on the 2012 200 S Convertible only 2K miles on it so far- "Knock on my head".