rimfire4969 Posted June 12, 2015 Report Share Posted June 12, 2015 (edited) Once again I am asking the PW great and good for a bit of advise. My eldest Daughter is learning to drive and she saved some money and we helped her out to buy her first car a Nissan Micra, its a great little car and so easy to park compared to my 90 or the wifes A4. The one problem with the car is the battery loses charge very quickly. I got a new battery as the old one was not in great shape but the problem still continues. New battery on driven for about 40 mins 5 days ago no problem, went to start it this morning and nothing not even enough power for the central locking to work. Jumped it off my landy no problem. A multimeter across the battery with it running gives about 13.6 volts so I guess alternator is ok? So I think something is draining the battery when its sat there. I am guessing the alarm. How the heck do I check if this is the case? Edited to give correct voltage. Thanks guys. Edited June 12, 2015 by rimfire4969 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mad1 Posted June 12, 2015 Report Share Posted June 12, 2015 30v?? I thought it was supposed to be closer to 13v on tick over ? I'm no mechanic I just learn as I go ... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chady Posted June 12, 2015 Report Share Posted June 12, 2015 Re check! Alternator should be 13.8v approx! If it is 30v the multi is faulty! Or the alternator is cooking the battery! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rimfire4969 Posted June 12, 2015 Author Report Share Posted June 12, 2015 Re check! Alternator should be 13.8v approx! If it is 30v the multi is faulty! Or the alternator is cooking the battery! Sorry rechecked on the correct setting about 13.6v. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
scutt Posted June 12, 2015 Report Share Posted June 12, 2015 boot light stopping on Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Andy 01 Posted June 12, 2015 Report Share Posted June 12, 2015 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KF1gijj03_0 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pigeon controller Posted June 12, 2015 Report Share Posted June 12, 2015 It's a problem called equiesant drain, not sure of the spelling, as we would ship vehicles to the states and the clock would flatten the battery you must have something working all the time.sorry for garballd reply just finish a bottle of OZO with some Greek Fishermen. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
malkiserow Posted June 12, 2015 Report Share Posted June 12, 2015 Also check if the glove box light stays on. Often easier to remove the bulb. Does the interior light go off when it should? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rimfire4969 Posted June 12, 2015 Author Report Share Posted June 12, 2015 Also check if the glove box light stays on. Often easier to remove the bulb. Does the interior light go off when it should? Checked these and the boot light. Starting to think this is a garage job. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rimfire4969 Posted June 12, 2015 Author Report Share Posted June 12, 2015 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KF1gijj03_0 Useful link that. Unfortunately it now looks like I have killed my Multimeter. Living the dream today Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
malkiserow Posted June 12, 2015 Report Share Posted June 12, 2015 How about putting the meter on the terminals of the battery and removing the fuses one by one and see if anything registers then look up what fuse made the change? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rimfire4969 Posted June 12, 2015 Author Report Share Posted June 12, 2015 How about putting the meter on the terminals of the battery and removing the fuses one by one and see if anything registers then look up what fuse made the change? That is my new plan, in the clip above that is the way they do it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rimfire4969 Posted June 12, 2015 Author Report Share Posted June 12, 2015 (edited) So taking off the negative cable to the battery and putting the meter across from the battery to the battery terminal I am getting about 3.6amps. This is with the car locked and all doors shut. So to my thinking something is drawing a hell of a lot of power when it should not be. Once I find a couple of clamps to attach the multimeter wires I will start pulling fuses to see where the power is going. Edited June 12, 2015 by rimfire4969 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Andy 01 Posted June 12, 2015 Report Share Posted June 12, 2015 So taking off the negative cable to the battery and putting the meter across from the battery to the battery terminal I am getting about 3.6amps. This is with the car locked and all doors shut. So to my thinking something is drawing a hell of a lot of power when it should not be. Once I find a couple of clamps to attach the multimeter wires I will start pulling fuses to see where the power is going. Thats a hell of a discharge ! We work to a tollerance of 0.05A, (50 milliamps). Pulling fuses and relays next is the correct way forward. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TR1 Posted June 12, 2015 Report Share Posted June 12, 2015 That current equates to more than 40watts , a headlamp bulb is probably only 55watts so it sounds more like a short somewhere from a live cable . Maybe try moving the looms about to see if the current drops. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bluesj Posted June 12, 2015 Report Share Posted June 12, 2015 Disconnect the alternator wiring and check again Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dead eye alan Posted June 12, 2015 Report Share Posted June 12, 2015 Disconnect the alternator wiring and check again Sounds like alternator not turning off and leaving open circuit, common fault its the built in regulator that causes it, it can be repaired or exchange unit fitted. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rodp Posted June 12, 2015 Report Share Posted June 12, 2015 Sounds like alternator not turning off and leaving open circuit, common fault its the built in regulator that causes it, it can be repaired or exchange unit fitted. That's where I would look Possibly a diode gone in the alternator. Just pull the plug out the back and see if the current drain stops. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Underdog Posted July 11, 2015 Report Share Posted July 11, 2015 It tries to turn the alternator into a motor, and they will feel warm! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Savhmr Posted July 11, 2015 Report Share Posted July 11, 2015 Sounds like a fault to earth from a frayed or damaged cable or junction. If that much current is being drawn with the engine stopped, then I cant see it being diagnosed as an alternator problem? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mungler Posted July 11, 2015 Report Share Posted July 11, 2015 Is the car standard? Any stereo upgrade (yeah boyz innit bruv) etc? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Romes Posted July 20, 2015 Report Share Posted July 20, 2015 Check the ignition wire to the radio, a radio can drain the battery within a few days if not wired in properly. Also boot, interior lights left on, tracker modules etc.... My bet would be the radio. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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