Sudden Battery Drain
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 280
Likes: 1
From: Minneapolis, MN
Sudden Battery Drain
I've been driving her nearly every day to work and back (10 miles each way) for the past month. Besides the AirCon not working, everything else seems to be in good shape. I've never had any electrical problems.
I tail light did blow out the other day, maybe it's related.
Yesterday I drove my car to work in the morning, at around 5:00 I left for another meeting. It was cold and raining. I parked one place, went in for about a half-hour, then moved my car about 3 blocks away and it sat for 3 hours for another meeting.
When I came out ... tick, tick, tick, tick. No turn over. Nothing. Lights came on, radio on, etc. So, there was some battery left.
I was next to a service station so I had them push it over there and charge it up and run a quick check on it. They said there was a major power drain someplace, but they didn't have the wiring diagrams that ngiht (it was around 11:30 pm and they stayed open late).
I think I can do the tests myself this weekend, but I was curious of how this could happen so suddenly and if it had to do with the weather and/or a short someplace that got wet, bounced off, etc.
Plus, when I went to the garage this morning I decided to give it a little test. She fired up right away.
Advice?
I tail light did blow out the other day, maybe it's related.
Yesterday I drove my car to work in the morning, at around 5:00 I left for another meeting. It was cold and raining. I parked one place, went in for about a half-hour, then moved my car about 3 blocks away and it sat for 3 hours for another meeting.
When I came out ... tick, tick, tick, tick. No turn over. Nothing. Lights came on, radio on, etc. So, there was some battery left.
I was next to a service station so I had them push it over there and charge it up and run a quick check on it. They said there was a major power drain someplace, but they didn't have the wiring diagrams that ngiht (it was around 11:30 pm and they stayed open late).
I think I can do the tests myself this weekend, but I was curious of how this could happen so suddenly and if it had to do with the weather and/or a short someplace that got wet, bounced off, etc.
Plus, when I went to the garage this morning I decided to give it a little test. She fired up right away.
Advice?
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Joined: Jun 2001
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From: Ball Ground, GA
Did you have the rear defrost on? That will drain the battery...
As far as I can tell, the only way to turn the rear defrost off is to start the car (or just let the timer run for the full time).
As far as I can tell, the only way to turn the rear defrost off is to start the car (or just let the timer run for the full time).
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From: Mountains of GA!
Do a search on the clogged drain below the cowl. I think here - the rain is the clue. There is a drain that can get clogged - causing water to drip onto the fuse panel. It may be that it shorted out a relay (maybe it stuck in the ON position).
You can do a load test with a VOHM meter (with the car OFF!). Run an AMP check with the meter in-line on the batt ground....pull each fuse/relay - and watch for significant drops in the draw.
REGARDLESS of whether it is still doing it - I would do a simple fuse panel 'service' - pull/clean/replace where needed - all the fuses and relays. It might just prevent something WAAYYY more serious then a dead battery....like even a panel FIRE - ask me how I know!
You can do a load test with a VOHM meter (with the car OFF!). Run an AMP check with the meter in-line on the batt ground....pull each fuse/relay - and watch for significant drops in the draw.
REGARDLESS of whether it is still doing it - I would do a simple fuse panel 'service' - pull/clean/replace where needed - all the fuses and relays. It might just prevent something WAAYYY more serious then a dead battery....like even a panel FIRE - ask me how I know!
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 280
Likes: 1
From: Minneapolis, MN
Wally, if there was a 928 Jeopardy show you would win. I think it was on, in fact. I had some minor fog up when I was leaving my parking spot so I punched the button to get the back window to clear up. How long is the natural timer? Does it stay on if you just shut off the car?
You're brilliant if that's the case.
You're brilliant if that's the case.
