What could be killing my battery

[Westwildcat]

It has been getting worse and worse, but in the beggining a few months ago my battery would dead the odd time when i would go to start my car. Now it is doing pretty much everytime i go to start it if its been more than a day or so. I am wondering what are common things with this car that could be causing that?

Is it possible that the battery is just so weak that the blinking red light in the dash (fake alarm light or whatever it is?) could be killing it? Or not likely?

Any help or comments appreciated!
Thanks

[DanMyers]

Probably not likely, how old is the battery? Typically they last about 5-6 years, but from what I've heard once they go dead once they lose something like 15% so if they keep dying it's probably time to replace. However, if you take the car or just the battery to a parts store they can check it and tell you whether or not it's holding a charge for free.

EDIT: Forgot to mention, be sure to have the battery fully charged before you have it tested, the machine needs a full charge to test. They can charge it for you for free, but you'll have to leave it there for a while.

[Erikrl]

Had a similar issue with my wifes maxima. Ended being the starter.

I knew the battery was good, but it was drawing too much to try to start.


Is everything else acting normal? Does it start after a jump? If so, its your battery. If not check your cables then starter.

[CSVT1214]

Are you actually charging the battery or just jumping it? It may just need to be desulfated and fully recharged. I've saved two batteries that I thought were trash with just a recharge.

One is being saved as a spare and the other has been in use for the last year after sitting for about 4 years completely dead.

[Westwildcat]

Well I used the battery tester right after charging it, and it tested good, 12v.. Left battery cables off. Came back a few hours later and it tested 8V, so i guess battery is wrecked.

[CSVT1214]

Desulfate and charge? Or just a charge? Only certain chargers have this function but it's critical if the battery has been discharged too many times or has been sitting will too low of a voltage for too long.

[Westwildcat]

Just a charge as far as I know? It has been killed multiple times yes, and that problem has been fixed, but I think the battery has been killed so many times that I need a new one?