Omega Owners Forum
Omega Help Area => Omega General Help => Topic started by: Dioptre+150 on 03 May 2011, 14:04:56
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Just bought 2001 Elite 3.0 with elec.problem. After standing for around two days battery discharges completely! Checked courtesy lights etc,has new alternator & battery fitted also by previous owner.I have noticed strange "whirring/clicking"noises from,I think,cd player when switched off,wondered if that may be connected with power-drain at all? HELP! Thanks.
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It's been covered recently here: http://www.omegaowners.com/forum/YaBB.pl?num=1304074831
No real alternative to putting an ammeter inline and pulling fuses to try and eliminate circuits until you find where the current is going.
Kevin
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Thanks. Dont have ammeter. Could you suggest good one,and how/where would I connect it do complete said test?
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You need to measure the current flowing from the battery when the car is parked with everything turned off. You also need to wait 5 minutes or so for everything to calm down after shutting the doors.
There are two ways to do this. The best would be to use a clamp ammeter which clamps onto one of the battery cables and measures the current flowing through it.
Beware that most clamp ammeters only measure AC current and that DC current clamps are quite expensive. In addition, you need one that will measure with a resolution down to tens of milliamps (0.01A), and many aren't that sensitive or aren't stable enough to be usable at low current levels.
You can make do with a standard multimeter but you need to be careful. You need to remove one of the battery terminals (after checking that you have the radio code, etc.) and connect the multimeter in series with the battery on its highest Amps range. Then work down the ranges until you get a sensible reading.
DO NOT try to start the car or turn on any accessories with the meter in place as the battery can deliver enough current to destroy the meter or at least blow its' protective fuse.
There is more detail in the maintenance guide Here: http://www.omegaowners.com/forum/YaBB.pl?num=1225724099
I would say if you have any doubts about the above take it to an auto electrician.
Kevin