440 Flat Batter (Again!)

[niloc]

Originally Posted by Bruce_T

Out of interest do you get different result from the multimeter been in series at the +ve side instead of -ve side?

No. The current leaving on the + side is always the same as the - side.

Question: does your aftermarket radio turn off with the ignition, or do you have to manually turn it off at the end of a journey?
If it's permanently powered, then you have both the memory wire and the switched feed to the radio linked. On the radio's wiring loom, you may find 2 wires (usually red and yellow, or orange and yellow, or red and orange) linked to one of the cars wires. These will be permanent 12v. One of them needs to come off and be connected to the switched feed from the ignition switch. This is usually the thicker of the 2 wires.

Another idea: disconnect the electric aerial and check the current.
You could just stick the multimeter probes in the contacts normally occupied by fuse 21 to monitor the current (instead of diving under the bonnet every time). Saves disconnecting the battery too...

[nano]

Originally Posted by Bruce_T

Oh, interesting. I can test the head unit using the same setting on the multimeter as I was on the battery? Ill report back with that info tomorrow.

Yes

Originally Posted by Bruce_T

The antenna on my car is disconnected. I removed the power cable from it as it doesnt fully go up as some of the sections are bent...
Couldnt be that could it?

Normally antenna's mechanism has a timer to cut-off the power. If there is problem with that mechanism then it could be.

[niloc]

Originally Posted by nano

Normally antenna's mechanism has a timer to cut-off the power. If there is problem with that mechanism then it could be.

Not a timer. The antenna is pulled up/down via a clutch. When the mast reaches the end of travel, the clutch slips, the motor keeps going until a contact still being driven by the motor reaches the end of it's travel. Take the motor apart and have a look...

[Bruce_T]

But if the Antenna power cable is not connected then that would rule out an antenna problem anyway

[Bruce_T]

Well, good evenin EVERYONE who participated in my long thread and put up with my lack of electrical knowledge!


Problem solved of why my battery was going dead!

The radio was basically on "stand-by" 24/7 as it has a 12v perm from the battery.


On the standard wiring loom harness ISO the 1of 2 (Speakers + Power) the power one had 4 cables

12v constant, 12v igniton, earth & remote antenna.

It was wired in so the contact was with 12v constant and not 12v ignition.

I cut the wire and swapped them over and all seems ok.

I put my probe across the Fuse 21 and got.... 35 milliamps!

Im a very happy bunny!

Thank you so much everyone, especially nano recently!

[jlgrosvenor]

Good to hear it's sorted


Give your battery one last charge to make sure it is 100% SoC, then happy days.

What are you tinkering with this weekend? I will crawling around under the front of the 440.

[JIM C]

Delighted you have your battery drain solved. Great news at last.
Well done and you are now an expert with a multimeter too.
Jim

[Bruce_T]

Originally Posted by jlgrosvenor

Good to hear it's sorted


Give your battery one last charge to make sure it is 100% SoC, then happy days.

What are you tinkering with this weekend? I will crawling around under the front of the 440.

Hmmm. Well I could not remove the seats so I carefully cut around the interior carpet and foam stuff under neath. Washed the carpet but still waiting for the foam stuff to dry out.

This weekend I might just wash her and make her look spangly!

Ill be taking my other halfs to the garage to get a second opinion on what I think is 99% sure a wheel bearing.

Thanks again guys.

P.S ill take the battery off one last time and fully charge it and them happy motoring...apart from the Lower Arms and Suspension...

[nano]

Very good news

Hapy with you!

[Bruce_T]

Its not a 100% as the radio seems to lose its setting when the ignition is off.

Im not too fussed about that, weird though.