Draining battery - immobiliser?

Post by **Janpan** » 09 Jun 2007, 23:33

Hi

We have a 1990 California 2.1 petrol engine (manual) - a LHD westy, which we bought last year.

We have always struggled with the drive battery draining but managed by disconnecting it when we weren't driving. We are obviously using it more and more as summer approaches so this is a pain in the neck. We have changed the battery cut out relay - no difference. Our mechanic (VW beetles and T25s) has checked the batteries (leisure and drive) and they are fine. They have also checked the wiring, which seems correct and as it should be. But it is still draining after about 48 hours.

The conclusion is that there must be something being left on that is draining the battery but we can find nothing; except that we had an immobiliser fitted last year (by the garage we bought it from) and it has a constantly flashing light and a relationship to the battery. Could it be this? Does anyone have any experience of unexplained draining of the drive battery?

I've only posted once before so forgive me if this is in the wrong place.

Post by **hembo666** » 09 Jun 2007, 23:49

its certainly worth checking, i would also look at the radio if its a modern one as i think thats what is draining our battery, someone with better electrical knowledge might be able to advise more or check it for you.

Post by **Hacksawbob** » 10 Jun 2007, 08:04

has the battery had it? charge for 24hrs and leave for another 24hrs check for voltage drop out of the van.

Post by **Westy.Club.Joker** » 10 Jun 2007, 12:53

Lots about this on the Wiki, have a look. It tells you how to check, with a meter, whether the battery has a drain on it, then explains how to go about tracing which circuit it`s on.

Had a similar problem with my Westy after the immobiliser was fitted (maybe before but I hadn`t found out then) and it did turn out to be the battery was duff and not holding it`s charge, after a few days it just went dead. New main batt cured the problem for me

Post by **edmundator** » 10 Jun 2007, 13:53

I have a problem with my van not starting if I leave it for more than a few days - but i think my problem is linked to earthing and/or a knackered starter motor.

The AA man used a gadget that tested how much current was being drawn from the battery (which is new) when the ignition is off. Leaving the front panel of my radio on made a huge difference to the current being drawn - I don't leave mine attached but if you do, removing it would be a very good idea. The immobiliser in my old Fiat X1/9 used to drain the battery, but only after several weeks/months.

Post by **tonytech** » 10 Jun 2007, 20:17

Alarms and imobilisers will not drain a battery in 48 hours (unless your battery is knackered.)

As above.
Take your battery out.
Charge it for 24 hours, Read Voltage. Leave for 24 hours, Read Voltage.
If the Voltage has dropped more than 0.5 V Battery is Knackered.

Make sure all your courtesy lights go out and stay out when doors are closed.

T

Post by **Janpan** » 10 Jun 2007, 22:28

I have looked at the Wiki but the trouble is that (as noted in the original post) our mechanic has checked both batteries and he says that they are fine. I will try to charge for 24hrs and leave for another 24hrs check for voltage drop, as recommended here, just in case.

Thanks all for your help, I'll let you know how we get on.

Post by **lloyd** » 10 Jun 2007, 22:43

many Mechanics can't even spell it.. No offense to real mechanics, but many mates here know more about T3's then many mechanics.

Good Luck,

Lloyd

Post by **Janpan** » 17 Sep 2007, 12:09

I haven't posted an update on this as we still haven't got to the botton of it. But we've now had the whole summer in the van (well, on and off).

Our drive battery is still draining. We disconnect it when we are going to be parked for more than say, 12 hours.

We bought a new battery - same problem, so it wasn't that. However we now have a second battery which we carry with us - it's very useful to jump start! But the problem is definately not with the battery itself - there is no voltage drop in either of them.

We can't see anything being left on. The radio is disconnected when we are not in the van.

We've done what the Wiki says and tested all the fuses holding a little light onto the battery terminals. The light stayed on for all the fuses. So no apparent problem there.

The immobiliser is still connected - we need it for the insurance.

We also have a problem with our fridge pilot and a couple of the camping lights. I think we need to find a specialist in internal camping electronics. Anybody recommend someone in the London area?

Post by **tonytech** » 17 Sep 2007, 12:38

Janpan wrote: We've done what the Wiki says and tested all the fuses holding a little light onto the battery terminals. The light stayed on for all the fuses. So no apparent problem there.

The light being on indicates a current draw. THIS is the problem.
The light should go out.
T

Post by **Janpan** » 17 Sep 2007, 15:52

tonytech wrote:
Janpan wrote: We've done what the Wiki says and tested all the fuses holding a little light onto the battery terminals. The light stayed on for all the fuses. So no apparent problem there.

The light being on indicates a current draw. THIS is the problem.
The light should go out.
T

E D I T:

misunderstood your reply. We connected the light between the negative terminal of the battery and the negative lead. The light came on and didn't go off even though we took out each individual fuse from the main fuse box below the steering wheel (left hand drive). Are there any other fuses that we should be checking as this didn't identify where the problem circuit was.

We really need somebody to look at it I think as we are out of answers ... can anybody suggest anybody?

Post by **Janpan** » 23 Sep 2007, 22:55

Looks like it might be that the lights in the living area (which don't work) have been left in the turned on position, but without light so we didn't know. Logic says that they won't be drawing a current, but it seems that there is a faulty starter in them, which is trying constantly to start the fluorescent tube.

So fingers crossed we have found the problem.