Omega Owners Forum

Omega Help Area => Omega General Help => Topic started by: Tommy on 23 May 2009, 06:24:42

Title: Battery Drain
Post by: Tommy on 23 May 2009, 06:24:42
I have just discovered a problem with my 99 Elite as I'm now not using it daily.

It seems to be draining the battery after 2/3 days. I had bought a new battery on a Thursday and it was flat by Saturday - although it had done a few miles on the Friday. Took the battery back and it did have a bad cell. That was replaced on Wednesday of this week. Flat this morning (Saturday)

Alternator seems to charge fine once it's going

Any ideas please? I did read here about disconnecting the power sounder to the alarm
Title: Re: Battery Drain
Post by: Bent valve on 23 May 2009, 07:53:04
Check that your sunvisor lights go out
Title: Re: Battery Drain
Post by: Tommy on 23 May 2009, 09:14:30
Yes I've checked all the interior lights

Following on from http://www.omegaowners.com/forum/YaBB.pl?num=1225724099

I have checked the amps between the battery + disconnected negative terminal I have a range (10amp) of 1.25 & 0.45 but it's not steady - continually changes

Just disconnected the powersounder and no difference
Title: Re: Battery Drain
Post by: Auto Addict on 23 May 2009, 09:28:20
Have a feel of each of the relays, see if any are 'warm', not an exact science, but it may give you a clue.
Title: Re: Battery Drain
Post by: Tommy on 24 May 2009, 09:17:41
Are there any 'usual suspect' relays?
Title: Re: Battery Drain
Post by: Kevin Wood on 25 May 2009, 10:29:46
Ideally you need to leave it with the dorrs closed for about 10 minutes for everything to settle. Maybe tape down the driver's side door pillar switch, let it settle, then check for any warm relays, as said. Then move on to the fuse box in the driver's footwell and pull fuses one at a time to see if one drops the current.

Do you have an original radio or an aftermarket one?

Kevin
Title: Re: Battery Drain
Post by: Richgm on 25 May 2009, 13:01:52
I've seen battery drain on 2 different makes of car recently. Both times it turned out to be the alternator draining the battery when the ignition was off. (It still charged OK when the engine was running).
Title: Re: Battery Drain
Post by: Tommy on 25 May 2009, 14:11:32
Kevin,
Original radio (CCRT700) fitted

Will try your suggestion when it stops raining  :-[
Title: Re: Battery Drain
Post by: Tommy on 25 May 2009, 15:01:39
Just refitted the battery (after recharging) Gave each relay a little wiggle and tested and it was still ranging from 0.9 to 1.54. Left it connected for 20 minutes and no warm relays.
When I disconnected negative to retest amps I heard what sounded like a small motor whirr somewhere near the pollen filter area/wing mirror and the amps were steady at 0.93.
Same motor whirred when I reconnected the negative terminal

??????
Title: Re: Battery Drain
Post by: Richgm on 25 May 2009, 18:49:36
Leave the ameter connected and pull the fuses one at a time until you see the current drop. Should help narrow down your search.
Title: Re: Battery Drain
Post by: largecol on 25 May 2009, 20:02:38
Quote
I have just discovered a problem with my 99 Elite as I'm now not using it daily.

It seems to be draining the battery after 2/3 days. I had bought a new battery on a Thursday and it was flat by Saturday - although it had done a few miles on the Friday. Took the battery back and it did have a bad cell. That was replaced on Wednesday of this week. Flat this morning (Saturday)

Alternator seems to charge fine once it's going

Any ideas please? I did read here about disconnecting the power sounder to the alarm

Sounds a bit obvious, but have you checked the boot lght aint permanently on? Cos that little so and so caused me no end of battery trouble.  :y
Title: Re: Battery Drain
Post by: Tommy on 25 May 2009, 22:10:21
I've never had a boot light come on
Title: Re: Battery Drain
Post by: Tommy on 29 May 2009, 11:51:34
Quick update

I haven't done the fuses yet but after 2 days of sitting with the alarm on she started first time. Drove around for 3/4 hour. No aircon on, no lights, no radio switched on.
Following morning I went out as she was being collected by lowloader (bonnet paint repair after a fire engine opened it's door on to my bonnet!!!) and the battery was almost flat.
I get her back on Monday but still puzzled
Title: Re: Battery Drain
Post by: Richgm on 29 May 2009, 11:56:21
Just out of interest what voltage do you have on the battery when the engines running?
Was thinking that maybe the altenator is putting some charge back into the battery but not enough.
Title: Re: Battery Drain
Post by: nick v6 on 29 May 2009, 12:01:21
my battery was doing the same mate
i put my daughter in the boot to see if the boot light went out which it was not
replaced the switch and all fine now :y
Title: Re: Battery Drain
Post by: Richgm on 29 May 2009, 12:06:24
Quote
my battery was doing the same mate
i put my daughter in the boot to see if the boot light went out which it was not
replaced the switch and all fine now :y
Personally I'd have dropped the back seats and just looked in the boot.
But I will remember that next time my daughter is misbehaving!  :o ;D ;D
Title: Re: Battery Drain
Post by: nick v6 on 29 May 2009, 12:08:13
Quote
Quote
my battery was doing the same mate
i put my daughter in the boot to see if the boot light went out which it was not
replaced the switch and all fine now :y
Personally I'd have dropped the back seats and just looked in the boot.
But I will remember that next time my daughter is misbehaving!  :o ;D ;D


i was tempted to leave her in there a few hours just to teach her a lesson for being naughty but with my neighbour he would soon be on the phone to the old bill >:(
Title: Re: Battery Drain
Post by: Tommy on 29 May 2009, 14:59:33
I don't think I have a boot light as I've never seen it illuminated. Where is it & I'll have a look when I get the car back.

I'll also check the voltage from the alternator when it comes back.

I have been wondering if I have a short somewhere as occasionally I get the 'headlight/tailight' message but I have no bulbs out
Title: Re: Battery Drain
Post by: Tommy on 30 May 2009, 16:45:22
Further update

I do have a boot light but the bulb holder is broken and the lamp just loose inside (left it that way for now)

Current draw from batt -ive to car -ive 0.71 (10amp scale)

Removal of fuse 6 ....... 0.41 (Radio)
Removal of fuse 12 & 6   0.18 (includes radio)

Does having a phone card in the radio draw any current when switched off?

I noticed while 12 was out that the climate control fan kicked in with keys out of the ignition!!

Anyone got any ideas now?

Oh yes Alternator charging at just under 14v with a small drop with aircon & headlights on