Battery being drained

gaillimhabu · 19-01-2009 12:13pm #1

Was away on holidays for a month during the Christmas. My car was left out in the cold and wasn't started at all. Therefore it wouldn't start when I got back and had to get it jump started from another car and gave it a long spin. However this didn't seem to solve the issue and car was totally dead again the next day. Ignition light not coming on and the clock had stopped along with the tripometer being reset which indicated that the battery was totally dead.

Since the battery was over 3 years old I decided the best thing was to get a new one. Put it in that morning and car restarted no problem after I stopped at the shop on the way to work. However same issue again that evening when leaving work. Clock had stopped around lunchtime which indicated that the charge stayed in the new battery for 3 or 4 hours. ignition light didn't come on either

Any idea what could be draining the battery? The only thing I've noticed different is the demister for the back window no longer seems to work. The light doesn't come on when I press the button.

Btw the car is a 93 golf 1.4 litre. Any ideas on where my problem lies?

crosstownk · 19-01-2009 12:49pm

Is the problem continuing to happen repeatedly with the new battery? It could be that the new battery was lying on the shelf for a while and may not be fully charged.

If you want to check for a current drain then the best thing to do is have an ammeter hooked up and see if there is a significant draw.

Check the fuse for the demister - it may be blown. It's also quite possible that the switch may be faulty - not uncommon in your Golf.

gaillimhabu · 19-01-2009 2:09pm

crosstownk wrote: »

Is the problem continuing to happen repeatedly with the new battery? It could be that the new battery was lying on the shelf for a while and may not be fully charged.

If you want to check for a current drain then the best thing to do is have an ammeter hooked up and see if there is a significant draw.

Check the fuse for the demister - it may be blown. It's also quite possible that the switch may be faulty - not uncommon in your Golf.

Yeah the problem continues to happen repeatedly with the new battery. I'll see if I can get an ammeter hooked up somehow. Where can I get one of them or is it best for a garage/auto electrician to check this out.

I'll check the fuses as well to see if I can spot the fault

crosstownk · 19-01-2009 2:23pm

An auto electrician will put an 'amp clamp' around a battery lead and will be able to see any draw instantly. Ring around a few and get a price for a check - I'd imagine it won't cost a fortune.

If you're in Dublin try Hamilton's - > http://www.hamiltonautoelectric.com/

EDIT: :rolleyes:Just noticed your location (and username!). Maybe some other boardsie might be able to recommend an autosparks in Galway.

leinster93 · 19-01-2009 2:47pm

Could be the alternator in which case a second hand one including fitting should cost about €200...
Or even the belt could be loose... No expert but has been the case with people in similar situation

If you're really into doing a DIY job http://www.misterfixit.com/alterntr.htm will help but 7th paragraph should help diagnose the problem...

Good luck!

gaillimhabu · 19-01-2009 3:04pm

I'll do the drain test on the battery first at an auto electricians and see how I go. Thanks for the replies

crosstownk · 19-01-2009 3:17pm

gaillimhabu wrote: »

I'll do the drain test on the battery first at an auto electricians and see how I go. Thanks for the replies

You might as well have the alternator and battery checked while your at the auto electricians. I know it's a new battery but who knows, it may be faulty.....

JimmyCrackCorn! · 19-01-2009 3:46pm

Get a multimeter

Put it in- line with the battery.

Start pulling fuses and watch the multimeter.

paconnors · 19-01-2009 5:42pm

try wally brennan at the back of st budgets tce. he's a good auto electrician

gaillimhabu · 21-01-2009 2:43pm

Just an update folks.

Went to the auto electricians (Wally Brennan) this morning. He did a drain test on the battery and all was good. He said the battery was faulty.

He said there is two kinds of batteries. Good and bad. There is no in between.
So buying them can be a a bit hit and miss. Good job they come with a warranty.

So I brought the battery back and got a new one. Car started once I put it in and also started up at lunchtime.

So looks like all is well now.

Wally only charged me €5 as well. So +1 for him. He was sound so if anyone in Galway is looking for an auto electician, he's you man. His place is in st. bridgets terrace near bohermore.

Thanks guys for all the replies

Battery being drained

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