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24th November 2016, 12:32 | #1 |
This is my second home
1979 Capri 1.6L, 1982 Capri 1.6L, 2016 Dacia Stepway Join Date: Jun 2009
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Battery keeps going flat
Since I bought the Trophy blue ZT back in the summer, it has always suffered a flat battery. I first thought the battery must be past its sell by date, and a new battery would indeed be needed. Once the battery was charged it would again go flat after 5 days, this was during the summer months.
The problem seems more likely that something is draining the battery, I have changed the battery 3 times with a good replacement. I have 3 good spare batteries in the shed, and each one is going flat once connected to the Trophy blue ZT. I dont have the CD/DVD Satnav system, but I do have the Harmon Kardon setup, could it be the amp/sub thats in the boot causing the drain, or some relay somewhere? The plenum chamber is bone dry, the car is a 2.5 V6 petrol manual if that helps. Cheers guys. |
24th November 2016, 12:39 | #2 |
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Could you tell us please what the voltage reading is across the battery terminals with the engine running ??
Also how do you know all these batteries you mention are all fully charged ??? How do you check them ?? If they haven't been touched for at least 24 hours the voltage reading on each of them must be at least 12.6 volts. Even this is not a perfect test. With modern sealed batteries the only way to test them is with a garage Drop Tester. Good luck. |
24th November 2016, 13:27 | #3 |
This is my second home
1979 Capri 1.6L, 1982 Capri 1.6L, 2016 Dacia Stepway Join Date: Jun 2009
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Hi John, You know that Carpoint Jumpstarter that I purchased from Amazon, I'm happy to confirm that it has just started my 2.5 petrol engine with ease.
I have just performed those tests that you ask. Q: Could you tell us please what the voltage reading is across the battery terminals with the engine running ?? A: Running 14.4. Not running is 11.6. Q: Also how do you know all these batteries you mention are all fully charged ??? A: The 3 spare batteries I keep charged, only select the long slow trickle charge option, one of them is only 10 month old. Q: How do you check them ?? A: Battery charger voltage reading, and a multimeter. Q: If they haven't been touched for at least 24 hours the voltage reading on each of them must be at least 12.6 volts. A: Correct... the 3 spare battery readings are as follows... 12.6, 12.6 & 12.7. In all the years I have been driving and experience this problem, a new or replacement battery has solved the problem. But! this time the replacement batteries are also going flat, surely this must mean an electrical current drain problem/fault. Last edited by Dallas; 24th November 2016 at 13:31.. |
24th November 2016, 14:07 | #4 |
This is my second home
R75 Saloon. Join Date: Feb 2009
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Wow. that was a fast reply.---
All then seems OK, except for the battery on the car. That is terrible.-- If the battery is mechanically sound then you have a job on. Find out where that current is leaking to. To flatten a fully charged battery in just a few days the leak should be reasonably easy to find. Maybe some component is actually feeling warm to the touch. Otherwise it usually boils down to disconnecting various things, with an amp meter attached in line, to find which item is causing the problem. Fiddly job which can drive you mad,--- |
24th November 2016, 14:51 | #5 | |
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24th November 2016, 15:01 | #6 | |
This is my second home
1979 Capri 1.6L, 1982 Capri 1.6L, 2016 Dacia Stepway Join Date: Jun 2009
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Quote:
What components are under the bonnet that can malfunction and cause power drain? I was thinking maybe the Harmon Kardon amp, those amps can drain batteries if the components are breaking down due to age. The silly thing is... I would rather the car NOT have the HK system, I prefer it without. Where would I find the amp, is it easy to unplug the power cable? Can anyone who has the HK system confirm its trouble free, have they ever had battery drain issues? Thanks all. |
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24th November 2016, 15:42 | #7 |
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Saloon HK
My saloon has HK system, never had problems, amp is in boot drivers side behind lining
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24th November 2016, 16:30 | #8 |
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Wes, first of all rig up an in line digital ammeter. This should show the current drain. I suppose the easiest way would be to start pulling fuses till it disappears, at least then you will know which circuit it's on. Make sure all your interior lights are going off including the boot light.
Blackrose |
24th November 2016, 16:59 | #9 |
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One of the possible leaks is a faulty diode in the end of the alternator.
Instead of only current in one direction it is possible, but rare, for very low current to run the opposite way. That amp in the boot though. I think I've read on here that quite often is a problem. Maybe someone could throw a bit more light on this.-- |
24th November 2016, 17:19 | #10 | ||
This is my second home
1979 Capri 1.6L, 1982 Capri 1.6L, 2016 Dacia Stepway Join Date: Jun 2009
Location: Dorset
Posts: 8,595
Thanks: 3,496
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Last edited by Dallas; 24th November 2016 at 17:33.. |
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