Nissan Repair: 1996 Nissan Maxima runs battery down, nissan maxima gle, nissan maxima

Question
I just bought a 1996 Nissan Maxima GLE from a lady at work and I wondered why it had a 700 CCA battery on it. I left it in the garage for about 7 days and it was totally dead.  The battery looked old so I went and bought a new Sears Gold 550 CCA battery.  Turns out if the car sits for 2-3 days without starting it goes dead.  The alternator is fine because if you start it there isn't a problem.  What has failed that causes such a current draw that it kills the battery in only a few days?  I have seen other posts where this car kills batteries.  Do you know what it is?

Answer
Bret,

Automobiles, since they are computer controlled lose 1 percent of their battery charge a day when they sit.  If you are drawing so much amperage, with the car off, that it dies in a couple of days means something is draining the battery.  I would look at things like the fuel pump relay being stuck on.  Open the hood, engine off, real quiet, and listen to see if you can hear fuel running in the lines.  Second, go behind the car and listen for the fuel pump.  If that is not the issue then you are going to need to look at things like the radio not shutting off or even interior lights like the trunk and such.  It is a process of elimination to find the culpret.  I do not know of issues with your particular car.  There is always a cheapie battery tender until you get the problem resolved.  Under $20 bucks and it will keep the battery topped off.