V50 Electrics : - Something keeps draining the battery, particularly in damp c

dr007 · Mar 6th, 2020, 19:03

Hi all,
First post.....
I have a 2004 V50D, it has been sat around off road for 1+ year, yes, I know, not great, however I have just tried to sort it out - it seems that something is draining the battery, so that it is dead. I am not sure if it does it over time or suddenly (if that is possible). I think it is worse in damp conditions.

The RAC kindly put a new £250 heavy duty battery in the car 6 months ago, but the car (battery) is dead when I try to start it up (previous new battery died in the same way, although it had also been in the car not being driven).
I have a portable charger, which I haven't yet used on this battery.

I am no expert, but I think that there is something electrical that drains the battery. I am stuck at the moment, I want to sell the car as I am moving house at the end of the month, but that is clearly a problem if the battery keeps draining and I can't get it started.

Any suggestions will be gratefully received :-)

StatusRed · Mar 7th, 2020, 10:47

Has the alternator been checked? It might not be charging the battery enough. Are all the grounding cables intact too?

I had a "black box" insurance thing draining my battery a few years ago, problem disappeared when I removed it.

lockstock · Mar 7th, 2020, 10:52

Quote:

Originally Posted by dr007

Hi all,
First post.....
I have a 2004 V50D, it has been sat around off road for 1+ year, yes, I know, not great, however I have just tried to sort it out - it seems that something is draining the battery, so that it is dead. I am not sure if it does it over time or suddenly (if that is possible). I think it is worse in damp conditions.

The RAC kindly put a new £250 heavy duty battery in the car 6 months ago, but the car (battery) is dead when I try to start it up (previous new battery died in the same way, although it had also been in the car not being driven).
I have a portable charger, which I haven't yet used on this battery.

I am no expert, but I think that there is something electrical that drains the battery. I am stuck at the moment, I want to sell the car as I am moving house at the end of the month, but that is clearly a problem if the battery keeps draining and I can't get it started.

Any suggestions will be gratefully received :-)

in a year, or even 6 months you will significantly deplete a battery just from the alarm or other ancillarys while car is sat idle. For that duration you should disconnect battery. But if you have 'paracitic drain' there are lots of resources how to test. but you need a suitable multimeter, patience and at least a small bit of experience. Also, 250 for a car battery sounds very high,l.

dr007 · Mar 7th, 2020, 23:46

Thank you for your replies, I will look into it. I am afraid that I don't have any experience, just a touch of logic.

P.S.
I didn't pay £250, it was just that that was the only battery they (RAC) had available.

bugsb · Mar 8th, 2020, 11:37

look it up its the old rac trick it has been on tv twice over the last 5-6 years they tried it on my mother just last year said her battery was at fault was going to charge £130 , it was just a case of hardly used / short trips then sitting there for another week and alarm draining the battery or what was left in it . plus a new battery for her car with 3 years warranty was £48 at local store , halfords a little more .
as has been said the drain if it is a drain can be many things

Mar 6th, 2020, 19:03	#1
dr007 New Member Last Online: Mar 7th, 2020 23:46 Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: sheffield	Something keeps draining the battery, particularly in damp c Hi all, First post..... I have a 2004 V50D, it has been sat around off road for 1+ year, yes, I know, not great, however I have just tried to sort it out - it seems that something is draining the battery, so that it is dead. I am not sure if it does it over time or suddenly (if that is possible). I think it is worse in damp conditions. The RAC kindly put a new £250 heavy duty battery in the car 6 months ago, but the car (battery) is dead when I try to start it up (previous new battery died in the same way, although it had also been in the car not being driven). I have a portable charger, which I haven't yet used on this battery. I am no expert, but I think that there is something electrical that drains the battery. I am stuck at the moment, I want to sell the car as I am moving house at the end of the month, but that is clearly a problem if the battery keeps draining and I can't get it started. Any suggestions will be gratefully received :-)

Mar 7th, 2020, 10:47	#2
StatusRed Premier Member Last Online: Today 12:20 Join Date: Jul 2015 Location: Glasgow	Has the alternator been checked? It might not be charging the battery enough. Are all the grounding cables intact too? I had a "black box" insurance thing draining my battery a few years ago, problem disappeared when I removed it. __________________ 2009 S40 SE Lux 2.0i \| 2022 Suzuki V-Strom 650 \| 2002 Audi TT 225 Previous: C70 Coupe 2.4i \| Saab 9-5 Aero \| Daihatsu SporTrak

Mar 7th, 2020, 23:46	#4
dr007 New Member Last Online: Mar 7th, 2020 23:46 Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: sheffield	Thank you for your replies, I will look into it. I am afraid that I don't have any experience, just a touch of logic. P.S. I didn't pay £250, it was just that that was the only battery they (RAC) had available.

Mar 8th, 2020, 11:37	#5
bugsb Junior Member Last Online: Aug 30th, 2020 19:59 Join Date: Jul 2019 Location: northants	look it up its the old rac trick it has been on tv twice over the last 5-6 years they tried it on my mother just last year said her battery was at fault was going to charge £130 , it was just a case of hardly used / short trips then sitting there for another week and alarm draining the battery or what was left in it . plus a new battery for her car with 3 years warranty was £48 at local store , halfords a little more . as has been said the drain if it is a drain can be many things

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