Battery discharge

[sloppytel]

Hello, I am having a problem with the main battery losing all its power over a 24 hour period. Have had it looked at by a local mechanic and he says the battery is fine but there is a discharge but he cant find where to. Have tried a couple of simple things suggested by the forum but still the battery drains. So before i spend a load cash on an auto electrician can anyone offer some simple tips for someone who cant use a multimeter to try and locate the problem? If not does anyone know of an auto electrician guru in west sussex that could help. Hope you can help. Terry

[jaylee]

Hi Terry,

Do you have a leisure battery fitted too...?

[sloppytel]

Hello jaylee, Yes there is a leisure battery fitted and seems to be in good order. Terry

[jaylee]

OK? So, are we given to understand you get the symptoms of a flat battery when it comes to starting the van after standing for a day..?

[sloppytel]

yes flat as a pancake , after a recharge its ok then 24 hours later nothing, cheers Terry

[jaylee]

I had a similar problem a couple of years back.. Even after a new battery! I cleaned up both live & neg terminals making sure they were tight, & cleaned & checked the connection on the earth strap behind the drivers side wing.. Been fine since! "On the button" starting...

Interestingly my wife's 8 year old key-less entry & starting system Micra did the same not long after..
I sorted that out the same way too. After having to break in manually through the passenger door to gain access cuz the whole system was inoperative.....

[sloppytel]

Thanks for the reply jaylee, have cleaned both battery terminals but not checked earth strap will check tomorow and post result . Thanks again.

[Alifriendee]

Search this post and read on to where discussion starts about the 110v inverter.

Fuse 8 - Cigar lighters, Mirrors, radio - battery discharge

http://www.igmaynard.co.uk/bongo/forum/ ... 92#p505595

as it was the 110v inverter lurking behind the nearside rear panel that was draining my battery. This may be the cause of yours if fitted.

[gasace]

I had a problem with my bongo caused by a relay sticking on. The only clue was the heater would stay on and then the split charge relay would hold in so both batteries would be flat. The garage never did find the fault, it just "went away" I try to remember to check the heater every time I switch off. Check to see if your heater stays on, also some radios can give this problem as well.

[mikeonb4c]

I had a similar problem a couple of years back.. Even after a new battery! I cleaned up both live & neg terminals making sure they were tight, & cleaned & checked the connection on the earth strap behind the drivers side wing.. Been fine since! "On the button" starting...

Interestingly my wife's 8 year old key-less entry & starting system Micra did the same not long after..
I sorted that out the same way too. After having to break in manually through the passenger door to gain access cuz the whole system was inoperative.....

Yup. I got fooled into buying a new battery just after buying the Bongo when, looking back, I think it may just have been a poor connection.

You could fit an isolating terminal switch as a stopgap. Cheap from eBay etc

[321Away]

does your car have a kitchen? do you have a split charging system fitted? in the fuse box under the bonnet does your car have 2 relays?

Julian

[sloppytel]

yes it has a kitchen fitted, Have also checked earth strap and seems fine.Tried removing the no 8 fuse which shut down the central locking but the glow plug warning light flashed and the battery still died. To be honest i dont know what the dealer did or didnt fit, there are a lot of fuse boxes and wires all over the place under the bonnet. I think i will have to have all that tidied up as well as it is pretty shoddy work. Thanks Terry.

[g8dhe]

Terry you have a PM.

[sloppytel]

Hello, Thought i would let you know what has happened with this problem, It seems it was the battery after all. I left all the leads off and the battery discharged itself , this was after having the battery tested by a mechanic and being assured it was fine. Have just left it for a week without starting it and it fired first time . We live and learn. Thanks to all who helped . Terry.

[g8dhe]

Glad to hear its all working, hopefully see you around the town!