06 Focus battery problems

lizzylad84

Apologies if this is in the wrong section. My 2006 ford focus (1.6 petrol) has been causing intermittent problems over the last year or so, no mechanic able to find cause if the problem. And these have become more recent in the past couple of months. When going to start the car, the battery's flat and constantly needs jump leads to help get started. New battery and starter motor fitted aprox 18/24 months ago but still problem keeps occurring. Starting to go mental trying to sort it and keep coming up with nothing, tried engaging steering lock when turning off the car, have interior door lights per mantle turned off and make sure the boots properly closed every time I leave the car.
On Sunday, after coming home after a couple of nights away, I went to start the car and it was as dead as a dodo. Jump started the car and took it for a drive. Them yesterday morning battery flat again.
Any advice/help/tips much appreciated

martinr5232

Is it keyless entry ??

Tony Beetroot

You either have a serious parasitic battery drain or the battery needs replacing, get the battery tested. Cant believe the mechanics cant diagnose a simple thing.

lizzylad84

martinr5232 wrote: »

Is it keyless entry ??

yes keyless entry.

Tony, last time i left it into a mechanic he drained the battery and recharged it before testing it and couldnt find a fault with the battery. its a bloody pain in the H#le at this stage

jimmyw

Ah for crying out loud,anyone who even has a basic knowledge of electrics would be able check for a draw on the battery while stopped.

Disconnect the earth side (good to know the radio code) and put a multimeter on the amp range between the earth terminal of the batt and the earth lead and it should not be more than about 50 milliamps.

Tony Beetroot

lizzylad84 wrote: »

Tony, last time i left it into a mechanic he drained the battery and recharged it before testing it and couldnt find a fault with the battery. its a bloody pain in the H#le at this stage

Go to the battery centre where you bought it to get it tested, if the battery checks out good find a new mechanic to diagnose the problem.

martinr5232

Forget about testing your battery you need a new ignition barrell its a common fault there is a little micro switch in the barrell that gets worn and keeps the gem module alive.

Tony Beetroot

How does jumping it off another battery start the car then if its own battery is good?

martinr5232

Tony Beetroot wrote:

How does jumping it off another battery start the car then if its own battery is good?

Because its flattening the battery.

Tony Beetroot

What electrical loading in the car is the cause?

martinr5232

Tony Beetroot wrote:

What electrical loading in the car is the cause?

Gem module , instrument cluster , radio.

lizzylad84

martinr5232 wrote: »

Forget about testing your battery you need a new ignition barrell its a common fault there is a little micro switch in the barrell that gets worn and keeps the gem module alive.

whats that likely to cost?

lizzylad84

Tony Beetroot wrote: »

Go to the battery centre where you bought it to get it tested, if the battery checks out good find a new mechanic to diagnose the problem.

believe it or not ive been to THREE mechanics!!!!

martinr5232

lizzylad84 wrote:

whats that likely to cost?

Not sure ill price a barrell kit tomorrow then it has to be built to suit your key and fitted.

lizzylad84

much aprecieated. is there anything else thats likely to be the problem, ive gotten a new battery fitted by one mechanic (althought its not a ford battery)
i take it your a ford mechanic?

martinr5232

Yes i am a ford mechanic.

If someone comes to me with a focus draining batterys first question i ask is it keyless its very common.

It is possible it could be something else but its easy enough to diagnose if you know what you are doing.

Wayne mc kenna

martinr5232 wrote: »

Yes i am a ford mechanic.

If someone comes to me with a focus draining batterys first question i ask is it keyless its very common.

It is possible it could be something else but its easy enough to diagnose if you know what you are doing

Hi thanks for above information am I right in saying if you disable key free and test the amps on the battery it should decrease? Or what is the best way to dignoise