Help Needed Please Urgently

[t-tony]

Hi, did you have the blue tooth music controller removed?

Andy

Hi Andy, could you fit a battery isolator switch to it so Tracy could in effect "switch the battery off!" ?

Tony.

 

[Tracy Dee]

It's not a Bluetooth it's a old type I pod connection from Harmon kardon sorry if spelt wrong
No it's in the car still but its powered off when keys taken out.
Isolator in theory is a good idea but I have such a barsteward of a stereo to relocate stations again last time it took over 2 hours to get 3 stations back.m ore luck than judgement.
Not sure if I can take any more everytime I need it the thing does not start.
Don't know what's wrong with it.
As said will exchange battery but not hopeful that won't go flat after a while.
Tracy.

 

[Dino D]

Im looking at battery isolator a now, something like this that is fitted at the terminal:
http://www.demon-tweeks.co.uk/Produ..._Pk4uIE9bvssASaqcAbSomk516hIAXFyK0BoC0PTw_wcB
Or

http://www.halfords.com/motoring/bulbs-blades-batteries/car-battery-chargers/richbrook-dis-carnect-battery-immobiliser?cm_mmc=Google+PLA-_-Bulbs,+Blades+and+Batteries-_-Car+Battery+Chargers-_-249628&_$ja=tsid:60494|cgn:GoogleShopping|kw:249628&istCompanyId=b8708c57-7a02-4cf6-b2c0-dc36b54a327e&istItemId=qipapxi&istBid=tztl&_$ja=tsid:35522|cid:344535484|agid:24344213644|tid:aud-80976661069la-209595826324|crid:83789257324|nw:g|rnd:1171538905043736572|dvc:m|adp:1o1&gclid=CjwKEAjw4dm6BRCQhtzl6Z6N4i0SJADFPu1nbJPzgMH1zBPcY0CGRBsizXwRKgFaKf_cgTrFXGUGoxoCILXw_wcB

 

[Dino D]

They have a fused line to allow for small amounts of current for clocks etc

 

[windym]

Hi, I could fit either if Tracy wanted that.

Andy

 

[Tracy Dee]

Thanks for info.
But as said will exchange battery tomorrow at euro car parts if it fails again it will probably go at the end of the year.

 

[smiffy]

I just wish I was a bit closer or had an excuse to be going that way. Not saying I'd cure it but a fresh set of eyes and ideas.....

The offer is still open if you want a trip to the seaside.

@windym when you was looking at it, what was you using to measure the drain and how much was the drain?

 

[Tracy Dee]

Hi @smiffy
Going to take the battery back today to exchange as is flat again.
Cliff is working valeting until mid day when he is back he will take it off and fit a new one.
It looks like a trip to see you.Thank you for the kind offer just a matter of time getting down I work everyday including Saturdays.
Many thanks.
Tracy.

 

[Redline]

Cant imagine it's the battery again. It sounds like an intermittent switch problem or faulty alternator. Diagnosing it is likely to become evermore tedious I'm afraid. I'd be tempted to simply change the alternator to start with. See if that cures the problem.

It seems to happen regularly under specific circumstances of use and/or non-use.

If the alternator isn't the problem it's back to careful and repeated current drain checks after using in turn Windows, locking, alarm etc.

You might need to test them lots of times.

You could pull fuses individually until you find the culprit. Could take a few weeks and more flat batteries - just what you don't need.

The alternative is to put a data logger on that records the current drain constantly. You might see something you can't with static checks but, in doing so you'll likely get another flat battery. Specialist equipment unfortunately. I'll speak to one of our engineers to see if they know of anything that could be used.

 

[windym]

The alternator is suspected and not putting out a full charge. I would change this, also from testing the electrics and finding a problem with the alternator. Nothing had been changed so this problem is going to remain.

Andy

 

[Tracy Dee]

Tony has said in previous post that the alternator is putting out enough not 100 per cent but not far short it's an expensive change if it's not the problem.
It never drains driving only when left for circa a week.
Also only not 100 per cent with every conceivable electrical item on
How' often do you use absolutely everything.
Tracy.

 

[Antm72]

The problem with the alternator may be a rectifier problem as suggested.
The rectifier controls the voltage created but it could intern create an internal drain to earth should it not funtion correctly.
I suppose an easy way to determine this is when you leave it for a while disconnect it and see what happens.
It only charges as it spins so standing disconnected will not hurt.

 

[JAJ278]

The problem with the alternator may be a rectifier problem as suggested.
The rectifier controls the voltage created but it could intern create an internal drain to earth should it not funtion correctly.
I suppose an easy way to determine this is when you leave it for a while disconnect it and see what happens.
It only charges as it spins so standing disconnected will not hurt.

I had a similar problem as a lad when I converted an MG Midget from Dynamo to Alternator. I got a second hand alternator that was just under par and it didn't matter what I did it never kept the battery up to a full charge. In the end I bit the bullet and bought a new one. A lot. lot cheaper back in 1989 and Midgets need nowhere near the power with no electric windows, seats etc; but it solved the issue.

 

[Redline]

Tony has said in previous post that the alternator is putting out enough not 100 per cent but not far short it's an expensive change if it's not the problem.
It never drains driving only when left for circa a week.
Also only not 100 per cent with every conceivable electrical item on
How' often do you use absolutely everything.
Tracy.

I know its expense that you (or any of us) need, but i'm thinking its as likely to be the alternator than anything else. Maybe ask and see if @spurs fan in a coupe could let you have an alternator to fit and try. If it works, you pay for it, if it doesn't, you return it and pay only for postage there and back. Would that work?

 

[JAJ278]

I know its expense that you (or any of us) need, but i'm thinking its as likely to be the alternator than anything else. Maybe ask and see if @spurs fan in a coupe could let you have an alternator to fit and try. If it works, you pay for it, if it doesn't, you return it and pay only for postage there and back. Would that work?

Also I know the words are interchangeable but remember an alternator does not technically charge the battery and won't top up a defective or low charge battery effectively.

 

[t-tony]

As I've said before we could disconnect the battery to see what happens, and yes I appreciate the radio would need presets re storing but it's a very small price to move it forward. Personally I could manage without music for a couple of weeks if need be.

Tony.

 

[Tracy Dee]

Just changed the battery and fired up first time.
Euro did say it was flat knackered was there words.
I will order the isolator with in line fuse.
See how that works out until I can take another plan of action.
Be nice if I could try an alternator from spurs fan.
Off to order isolator as recommended by Dino.
Tracy.

 

[littlefeller]

this might seem like a daft question but - do you have the alarm horn silencing key? its the small round key, early z had a house brick fob and an alarm silencer key, could it be your alarm is going off but has been silenced at some point. I had this once on a sierra, took me ages to figure why it was flattening the battery.

 

[Tracy Dee]

I do have a small key on the ring I assume it's that one.
But if I set the alarm I have heard it go off so not on silent.
I have only been locking the car with the key not setting the alarm because of the issue.
Thank you for the thought though.
Tracy.

 

[Tracy Dee]

All fitted hope this works.