Help Needed Please Urgently

[oldcarman]

Get the car out to @ smiffy for a good look over. I'd be looking at an over active alternator which can kill a brand new battery in very little time and render it unchargecable. Had that exact problem in my Jeep! Killed a new battery during a 2,000 mile trip. Fortunetly checked the output of the alternator and it was fluctuating over what out put should have been. Changed alternator and problem solved. Make sure you appreciate the time and effort people put into solving this problem for you! JIM

 

[Grumps]

Good man @smiffy for offering your services. Take him up on his offer Tracy and get to the bottom of whatever it is that is causing you to fall out of love with your Zed.

 

[Tracy Dee]

Yes will probably make the 240 round mile trip to smiffy for a last ditch try.
Been looking around this week to trade for something else if it fails to get fixed.

Tracy.

 

[peteslag]

Establishing if it a current drain is a relatively simple process. If you can lay your hands on a multi meter that can measure current I can walk you through the process of tracing a battery drain. Basically you connect the meter and put it into current measurement mode then pull the cars fuses one at a time until the drain goes away (apologies if this has been done already but I've been a bit lazy and not bothered reading through your thread). That will at least tell you which system is causing it. Rounding the fault down further can be a bit trickier but again, I'm happy to assist.

Most garages can check your alternator output by the way and it is usually free. I seem to remember the garage I worked at years a go had a "bear" tester. It could test the health of the battery, starter motor and alternator in a few seconds.

 

[Tracy Dee]

Thanks Pete.
Fuses have been pulled apparently by the last garage on all ok apart from slight drain on radio but even I know they draw power for memory codes etc just how much they never said they just removed fuse 9 and 44 fuse 44 also does the wipers so it's gone back in.
Alternator also checked was deemed good charging ok.
@smiffy is going to check it over my suspension it could be the aftermarket Hifi stuff.
Will wait and see.
Regards.
Tracy.

 

[Paul M]

Ca

Thanks Pete.
Fuses have been pulled apparently by the last garage on all ok apart from slight drain on radio but even I know they draw power for memory codes etc just how much they never said they just removed fuse 9 and 44 fuse 44 also does the wipers so it's gone back in.
Alternator also checked was deemed good charging ok.
@smiffy is going to check it over my suspension it could be the aftermarket Hifi stuff.
Will wait and see.
Regards.
Tracy.

Tracy, can we swap all body panels if you decide to sell

 

[Tracy Dee]

I need as much as possible for it. This year its had best part of 1 k spent on it.
Some unexpected like the cat exhaust.
Only jobs left are rear discs and get the diff bush fitted.
But no more will be spent unless this battery draining can be found its been a haunting stressful year of keep going flat when I need it not to mention the time and money spent on it.

 

[Paul M]

I need as much as possible for it. This year its had best part of 1 k spent on it.
Some unexpected like the cat exhaust.
Only jobs left are rear discs and get the diff bush fitted.
But no more will be spent unless this battery draining can be found its been a haunting stressful year of keep going flat when I need it not to mention the time and money spent on it.

Tracy, I wish you luck in getting it sorted. Positive thoughtsPaul

 

[peteslag]

Thanks Pete.
Fuses have been pulled apparently by the last garage on all ok apart from slight drain on radio but even I know they draw power for memory codes etc just how much they never said they just removed fuse 9 and 44 fuse 44 also does the wipers so it's gone back in.
Alternator also checked was deemed good charging ok.
@smiffy is going to check it over my suspension it could be the aftermarket Hifi stuff.
Will wait and see.
Regards.
Tracy.

Ok Tracey. Just for your info it is called parasitic drain, if you google it there are tonnes of good articles on the internet. It is very black and white, any more than 30mA with the everything in the car turned off is considered too high. This does sound like parasitic drain, car batteries don't last long if they are repeatedly fully discharged and recharged. Over a period of time the battery looses it's ability to hold a charge.

 

[MartinN]

Hi Tracy, I am getting a DC clamp meter soon, in a week or 2 maybe less & I know how to use it . as your just down the road I could do some checks when it turns up. It will show charge & discharge current and I can measure the output from the alternator to finally rule that out. Drop me a line if you want to take me up on it.
Cheers for now.

 

[windym]

Hi Tracy, I am getting a DC clamp meter soon, in a week or 2 maybe less & I know how to use it . as your just down the road I could do some checks when it turns up. It will show charge & discharge current and I can measure the output from the alternator to finally rule that out. Drop me a line if you want to take me up on it.
Cheers for now.

Already done that

Andy

 

[peteslag]

It is also worthy of note that the alternator itself can cause parasitic drain. There are diodes that can break down and give a high resistance path to earth. The alternator functions correctly but when not in use the little blighter slowly kills your battery. It is easy to diagnose, measure the current draw with everything turned off then electrically disconnect the alternator. Apologies if this has already been explored but I’m inherently lazy and can't be bothered trawling through eight pages lol!

 

[smiffy]

good input @peteslag

I'd been doing a bit of googling to find some figures for parasitic drain on E36 and Zeds and also came up with 30mA. It doesn't sound a lot, but is 0.72A over 24hrs, 7.2A over 10 days.

Which is virtually 10% of a standard 74Ah M44 battery. I know, I know, not that simple, C20 rate, CCA's are different and non-linear, blah, blah, blah etc before some "science teacher" jumps on me!

I'm putting a bit of a plan of attack together and swatting up on the electrical drwgs before @Tracy Dee drives up to give us the best chance of success. Going to measure parasitic drain on mine tonight out of curiosity and as a bench mark. Will post findings.

 

[DavidM]

good input @peteslag

I'd been doing a bit of googling to find some figures for parasitic drain on E36 and Zeds and also came up with 30mA. It doesn't sound a lot, but is 0.72A over 24hrs, 7.2A over 10 days.

Which is virtually 10% of a standard 74Ah M44 battery. I know, I know, not that simple, C20 rate, CCA's are different and non-linear, blah, blah, blah etc before some "science teacher" jumps on me!

I'm putting a bit of a plan of attack together and swatting up on the electrical drwgs before @Tracy Dee drives up to give us the best chance of success. Going to measure parasitic drain on mine tonight out of curiosity and as a bench mark. Will post findings.

Sound background work @smiffy - I hope all goes well for you with the diagnosis, and a solution found!

 

[oldcarman]

Thanks smiffy for taking the time out to help another. You've certainly done what you can for this to be successful so good luck this weekend. I'm sure @ Tracy Dee will be most appreciative of your efforts especially if you are successful!! JIM

 

[oldcarman]

Hi @ DavidM, may I ask what you disliked about my post? I think it basically covers what you posted so I expect it may be a mistake but would like to know if not? JIM

 

[Tracy Dee]

I certainly am really greatful for the time and effort that smiffy has put in and also windym previously.
Lets hope that the problem shows itself on Sunday. I am keeping everything crossed

 

[DavidM]

Hi @DavidM, may I ask what you disliked about my post? I think it basically covers what you posted so I expect it may be a mistake but would like to know if not? JIM

A genuine mistake, Jim. I have corrected this now - the cause - fat fingers - small screen.

 

[smiffy]

well, I would have measured mine if my son's dog hadn't bit his girlfriend, (2 trips to a&e)

and then daughters train home from norwich cancelled!

Mr Taxi this evening!

 

[oldcarman]

A genuine mistake, Jim. I have corrected this now - the cause - fat fingers - small screen.

I figured @ DavidM but I have been known to pi$$ a few people off at times so just wanted to know if I'd somehow offended you so I could apologize!! JIM