pscottjr

After many weeks of working to much and not paying enough attenion to my girl friend (MY1982), I had a dead battery everytime I was going out to drive the car. I would charge the battery and start the car. Go out the next time and battery dead.

Decided to put a battery disconnect on to save the battery duing these times of in activity. I plan on doing what is necessary to find the drain, but everytime (2-3 days) I go out it was drained.

So tonight, after along day at work I open the hatch, turn the battery disconnect on and immediately the alarm goes off (the doors and the alarm were not engaged before). Started the car, after disengaging the alarm, start great, no problems.

What's strange is that my speedometer went out about a month ago. I was getting ready to remove the pod and clean contacts. Well, suddenly it's working again.

Is it possible there are good gremlins?

Drove the car for a good thirty minutes. God I love driving this car. As soon as I have the time I will kill all the bad gremlins an leave the good ones alone.

Alan

Temperamental - yes, occasional - yes.... good - err no not really...

Alan

pscottjr

I guess the question is - When I start looking for the battery drain, is there anything that is new that this restart tells me? For example, since the alarm was not engaged should I look there first for the battery drain problem?

I kind of know the sequence to look for the drain. I am looking for an advantage.

blown 87

Yep

pscottjr

I guess I need to rephrase the title.

I was just so excited that the car started and I could drive it, I was in that 928 state of mind. AND it was kind of nice to have the speedometer back again. I tend to drive the car..... a little hard, so I need to know how fast I am going.

Thanks

Mrmerlin

If your on a quest for good elex try this DISCONNECT the BATTERY FIRST.
Get a fuse chart( www. 928gt.com) and get a new set of fuses (good Ones) not harbor freight. Remove every fuse look for corrosion if you find some look up and inspect the bottom of the blower box.
If you see tell tale spots of corrosion then your blower box needs a reseal dont let the car get wet till you fix this. Replace every fuse also remove and inspect every relay make sure the correct part number is in the correct position also looking for corrosion if you find corrosion on any relay pin, open it and inspect the inside check the contacts, You might find a ba corroded relay thats sticking or not functioning.
Also clean both of the battery contact and the ground connections , check the door post light pins, remove them and look for corrosion. Open the hood and remove the hot post securing nut and also remove the 14 pin connector clean these parts with a pink eraser, If your car doesnt have a hot post cover then get one from a 1988 S4 it will fit , once again dont let the car get wet till this part is covered.
Also remove the rear hatch female part and inspect it for corrosion clean anything that you find. Once these tasks have been completed then you can start diagnosing the other drains , although cleaning these parts listed may cure your problems. Good Luck, Keep em Flying, Nice Car.. Stan

Alan

To your extra question - I don't think the alarm operation means anything - when you have a low battery anything can happen.

Just start methodically - narrow down where the source is and then if needed ask for more help to pinpoint.

Most people who ask for electrical help here don't describe the problem well enough to get an answer - at least not the first time.

Don't be like that - be clear - be detailed, check everything and report what you have.

I agree to an extent with what Stan said - but I'm not sure I'd go so far initially - certainly inspect all the areas he noted - and see if further work is warranted - also do clean all the ground points.

Why not do everything he says - some of these things may break during dissassembly (including relay sockets & hatch receiver..)

Do test the parasitic current while selectively removing fuses (I recommend removing just one at a time and noting differences)

Focus on common parasitic leakage areas - like the interior lights, window controller, fan controller after market additions, battery minders etc.

Some of these are triggered when the car was running... and for some reason don't turn off - you may need to get creative to replicate these cases.

Alan

pscottjr

Thanks for the directions. I now have a few pages of what to look for and how. As soon as work lets up I will find the problem(s).

Thanks Again