Something draining the battery

Sep 1st, 2003, 18:16

If I suspect that I have something draining the battery overnight, what is the best way to find out if I do and what is then the best way to finding out where the culprit is?

George

[link:www.ttsservices.co.uk/my%20volvos.htm|http://www.ttsservices.co.uk/My%20car.JPG]

'95 940 Polar LPT (B230FK/AW71; 120k)
'92 940 SE Turbo (B200FT/M46; 143k)
'87 740 GLE Turbo Diesel Intercooler (D24TIC/ZF22; 200k)

Peter Milnes · Sep 2nd, 2003, 01:59

Disconnect the battery (remember the radio code) after your last journey of the day. Reconnect it before your first journey and see if the battery can cope with starting the car. That should tell you if it is the battery going faulty or that you have a current draw larger than normal. You now have to determine what is causing the excess current drain. This is relatively easy but you may need a meter (electrical) to measure any current. Usually the culprit can be the glove box light not switching off, an underbonnet light staying on when bonnet is closed or equally possible one or more of the diodes (rectifiers) in the alternator becoming faulty and allowing reverse current flow. Hope you get it fixed, George.

All the best, Peter

Sep 1st, 2003, 18:16	#1
George Holmer Guest Location:	Something draining the battery If I suspect that I have something draining the battery overnight, what is the best way to find out if I do and what is then the best way to finding out where the culprit is? George [link:www.ttsservices.co.uk/my%20volvos.htm\|http://www.ttsservices.co.uk/My%20car.JPG] '95 940 Polar LPT (B230FK/AW71; 120k) '92 940 SE Turbo (B200FT/M46; 143k) '87 740 GLE Turbo Diesel Intercooler (D24TIC/ZF22; 200k)

Sep 2nd, 2003, 01:59	#2
Peter Milnes Premier Member Last Online: Apr 10th, 2014 00:01 Join Date: Feb 2002 Location: Tonyrefail	RE: Something draining the battery Disconnect the battery (remember the radio code) after your last journey of the day. Reconnect it before your first journey and see if the battery can cope with starting the car. That should tell you if it is the battery going faulty or that you have a current draw larger than normal. You now have to determine what is causing the excess current drain. This is relatively easy but you may need a meter (electrical) to measure any current. Usually the culprit can be the glove box light not switching off, an underbonnet light staying on when bonnet is closed or equally possible one or more of the diodes (rectifiers) in the alternator becoming faulty and allowing reverse current flow. Hope you get it fixed, George. All the best, Peter

Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 members and 1 guests)