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Battery running flat over a day or so. Why? (Urgent) 

 

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 Post subject: Battery running flat over a day or so. Why? (Urgent)
Posted: Sun Apr 22, 2007 6:09 pm 
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Hey guys,

Recently did the DIY remote start, and after doing so, put my accessories on a push button with a relay. For some reason the battery is slowly running flat over roughly a day or so. I am guessing that something is still using power after I turn the engine off, accessories off, and lock the car. As far as I know, it's only started doing it when I put the accessories button in.

Can anyone help me out? I am pretty sick of jump starting my car. :p

Would really appreciate some speedy help!

Cheers.

 

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Posted: Sun Apr 22, 2007 9:41 pm 
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maybe your alternator? thats what usually happens when its f**ked. had the same problem with my last car, found out my alternator was completely fried beyond repair.
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Posted: Sun Apr 22, 2007 9:46 pm 
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I was worried that was the problem. Does anyone else have any theories?

 

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Posted: Sun Apr 22, 2007 10:14 pm 
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:twisted: dude check all ur fuses and then ur main fuse check if any wirings are earthing it out as well man if allesle fails buy new batt then take to mechanic but check all ya s**t frist bro :twisted:
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Posted: Sun Apr 22, 2007 10:23 pm 
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How about not having the accessories switch turned on unless your engine is running? :)

If you want AC/Radio etc to work with the remote start (and all the rest of your accessories), hook up another relay to use instead of your ACC switch, so it comes on with remote ignition.

It will need to be wired so it doesn't come on while cranking, or you'll get more issues.

 

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Posted: Sun Apr 22, 2007 10:44 pm 
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I haven't left it on without the engine. I have also been planning on wiring it to the remote igniton thing, just haven't got around to it, This problem arose, and have been worrying about this.

 

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Posted: Sun Apr 22, 2007 10:49 pm 
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Throw a meter on the battery to eradicate the alternator as a problem. If its between 13.8-14.4 when running, alternator sounds ok.

If the alternator was stuffed, btw, jump starting wouldn't get you very far once you remove the jumper leads from an already flat battery. I'd say its fine, and the circuit you added to the original diagram is probably keeping the accessories on regardless of the switch position.

Check all your wiring.

 

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Posted: Mon Apr 23, 2007 1:52 am 
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An alternator can be stuffed in more than 1 way. 2 of them are no charge (most obvious), charging but when stopped sucking power back out of the battery(think a buggered diode dose it). A mates Toyota was doing this, the way we confirmed it was to disconnect the alt overnight with battery still connected. If the battery dont go flat toss the alt and if it dose go flat, look elsewhere.

 

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Posted: Mon Apr 23, 2007 6:20 pm 
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Metered the battery, and according to what EBGizmo said, the alternator is fine.

So a bit later tonight I'm gonna ditch the accessories switch and put it back on the key, and we'll see how it goes. I will post in this thread about what happens.

Cheers for the help, we will see what happens!

 

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Posted: Mon Apr 23, 2007 6:26 pm 
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Have a look at what adMatt said as well - its also true.

 

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Posted: Sat Apr 28, 2007 3:32 pm 
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Alright. Changed the alternator last night, seems better, but still seems to be drawing power out.

Just to check, any other thoughts? It's possible I am just seeing things, and it actually is fixed, but just in case, are there any other things worth checking?

 

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Posted: Wed May 09, 2007 10:33 pm 
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The battery can have shorting internal plates I have had this before gets worse over time
too test battery rmove from car put on charger test with multimeter over a couple of days see if it halds charge
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Posted: Thu May 10, 2007 3:27 am 
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Alright. This is where I stand.

1. Replaced alternator. Didn't fix the problem.

2. Took off fusible links and used a ammeter to check which one was drawing power. Found out Smartlock is drawing about 0.7 of an amp. Not sure if this is more than usual, maybe someone can clarify this for me?

3. Ran the car on the key for a few days, nothing changed. Put remote start back in, still the same. So my remote start circuit is ruled out.

4. Also, in the process of checking what was drawing, discovered the alternator isn't drawing anything, so no screwed diodes.

5. Checked the fluid levels in the cells of the battery, noticed they were very, VERY empty. Topped up with distilled water.


And now, it seems even worse! I'm going to buy a new battery, and see where that gets me. Any ideas?

 

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Posted: Thu May 10, 2007 8:35 am 
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braidy wrote:

5. Checked the fluid levels in the cells of the battery, noticed they were very, VERY empty. Topped up with distilled water.


And now, it seems even worse! I'm going to buy a new battery, and see where that gets me. Any ideas?



battery is stuffed definatly buy a new one...

 

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Posted: Thu May 10, 2007 4:30 pm 
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If you just topped it up, don't expect it to run great straight away. You need to charge it! Make sure the water is just covering the top of the plates and see how a charge cycle goes.

 

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