06 Malibu, no start, clicking sounds, battery is charged.

Question:
I tried to autostart my Malibu Maxx with my key fob, like I usually do. But it made a rapid clicking noise and did not start. The security light on the cluster flashed in unison with the clicks. I tried to start with the key, but the clicking continued when I turned the ignition. The noise is coming from under the dash, not engine compartment. Eventually the battery died. I got a jump and it started. I drove for an hour to charge the battery, locked the car with the key fob, and when I tried to start an hour later it clicked a little then the battery died. What is wrong?

Answer;

You either have a defective battery that will not hold a charge or you have a parasitic draw from something in the car not shutting off and drawing power with the car shut off.

First have the battery tested to determine if it needs to be replaced. Once you know you have a good battery, if you still have the problem, here is what you have to do.

There is a procedure for finding a battery draw like that.

You will need a digital ammeter and a jumper wire with clips on the ends to do this.
First rig any door switches so you can have a door open without triggering the interior lights and unplug the hood light. Remove one battery cable and attach the meter in series between the battery cable and battery post. Take the jumper wire and also attach it the same way. Leave the jumper wire on for at least 10 minutes to expire all the automatic timers. Now remove the jumper wire and read the meter. Anything over 50ma is too much draw. The way you locate this is to start removing fuses one at a time until the meter drops to normal level. This will be the circuit with something staying on. Determine what components are part of that circuit and check them individually until the problem is isolated.