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15-12-2014, 07:55 AM
What could be causing my battery to run flat?
Went to the car and click. Dead battery again.
So lifted the bonnet. Noticed the wiring for the wipers snagged up on the arm (wipers failed to auto park the night before. Guess that's why lol)
My 12v to stop solonid has worn through and metal wire was touching the bracket (dont know if that will cause anything, worth a mention)
I've recently done the aux belt and cambelt (dont know if this will have an effect on things?)
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How healthy is your battery??
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It was very healthy, until it went flat last week due to my cranking it over so much.
Then today I haven't used it for a day and its flat
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And lots of frosts too
How old is it?
Those wiring issues wont help in general but theres no voltage or draw on them when ignition is off
No interior lighrs lefr on?! Obvious things!
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Don't think interior lights were on, do they get power while ignition is off?
Any way to sell if the battery is dud? It's sealed so can't open it up
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15-12-2014, 08:24 AM
(This post was last modified: 15-12-2014, 08:24 AM by Piggy.)
Does it look old? Date stamped?
Should have a clear little gauge on it if sealed and it will be green, white or black. Not all have that mind.
What make is it?
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It's got the indicator widow and its green. I'll take a look to see if its date stamped.
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Charge it up, leave it disconnected all night and see if it will still start the next day...
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15-12-2014, 09:07 AM
(This post was last modified: 15-12-2014, 09:08 AM by Piggy.)
In that case...what DJL said!!
Although if its green....that normally means battery is fine and fully tested!
Check ya wiring, and is it just a click you get from starter??...could be sticky starter solenoid
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Good point. Charging it up atm. Got work at half 4 hopefully enough charge to start then lol
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So charged it up. Started the car drove to work. Started after work but didn't sound strong.
Just went to start it and its flat again. So now I know its not a one of. Charging battery now. Will take it to work and disconnect and see if it keeps the charge
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17-12-2014, 04:30 PM
(This post was last modified: 17-12-2014, 04:31 PM by Iceman299.)
Got an amp connected? My mr2 battery kept going flat and it turned out to be the amp that the previous owner had fitted that was causing the drain
Tried a multimeter to check if there is anything draining it?
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(17-12-2014, 04:30 PM)Iceman299 Wrote: Tried a multimeter to check if there is anything draining it?
This. Amps setting in series after removing battery positive wire.
When you say wont start is it click and nothing or chug a little wont catch before click ?
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As above, id be seeing what the current draw is with the car locked and off obviously. Come back to us with the number you get.
Also, disconnect your boot light. They use a reed switch in the boot lid on the PH3 which can go wrong and leave the boot light on. IIRC if its PH1 or 2 its just a plunger switch on the left hand trim so just push it in and see if the light goes out.
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Haven't got a multimeter but can get one.
No amp or anything connected. My boot light has been off quite recently
Could a aux belt that is over tightened cause the battery not too charge? Or an iffy alternator? I have rev counter problems and Google suggested that could be something to do with the alternator?
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18-12-2014, 09:50 AM
(This post was last modified: 18-12-2014, 09:51 AM by nominous.)
www.ebay.co.uk/itm/111545336757
Treat yourself.
£2.90 and free delivery.
Everyone should have a multimeter in their toolbox.
If you do have an iffy alternator, you can diagnose that too 
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Have you charged the battery, disconnected it and left it overnight yet... Or are we still going round in circles getting no where...
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Battery finished charge this morning. I have work later. Will drive and disconnect later
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(18-12-2014, 02:00 AM)Matt Wrote: Could a aux belt that is over tightened cause the battery not too charge? Or an iffy alternator? I have rev counter problems and Google suggested that could be something to do with the alternator?
Unlikely, it's more likely to destroy the tensioner pulley bearing. You should be able to twist the belt about 90 degrees with medium effort for it to be tensioned right.
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Probably over tensioned then
So charged it up, drive 4 miles disconnected drove to work (1mile) disconnected, left 8 hours, drove home disconnected left 11 drove to work disconected, just finished early after 4 hours and....
Still starts, feels just as strong. I'm sure normally by now battery would be dead. I don't know if this is working or wether I just haven't been doing it long enough and the battery might still die.
If the battery is staying charged while disconnected. This points to something draining the battery? I have an after market alarm which I don't ever use. Any way to diagnose if this is at fault? I can't think of anything that would draw power once the the key is out
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Right so you left it 8 hours etc and 4 hours and it started fine, battery is fine. Something is draining it. Aftermarket alarm would be first port of call now you mension that, ive dealt with countless alarms that drain batterys, if you dont use it, disable it!
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Aftermarket alarms do seem to be effective...if you can't start the car no one can. 
Had exactly the same problem on my sisters car with the alarm draining over a few days.
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Yeah get that alarm torn out!!
Just ensure it isnt part of immobiliser system!!
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It is part of tge mobilize system. But isnt that easily bypassed?
The alarm has never caused an issue before hand but thought it was worth a mention. What else could be causing drain, is there anyway to find out without tearing the car to bits haha
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Yes but you need a multimeter and tbh, a bit of experience. On the mainland any time soon?
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Ahh and that I don't have. Hopefully but won't be for a while :/ also something odd happened today. Locked the car, walked round disconnected the battery, but while doing so the interior light flashed back on?
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Can't you just use a multimeter and start pulling out fuses, if there is a drain on the battery?
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Got a multimeter on the way.
But, went out to the car after work. Did the usual, then opened the back door and popped the seat forward to get in the boot and the light was on. Filled up, put everything back, left the seat forward, light still on. Get in drive home lock the car, light still on, locked and unlocked several times. Opened and closed the boot. Light still on.
Well light no longer f*cking connected so let's see you stay on now you little bitch.
That light had angered me for 5mins before I disconnected it. Could this be the source of my drain? And will it still drain if disconnected?
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If the boot light has been on this whole time well then thats the problem, and no once you disconnect the light it wont drain the battery.
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Once you get your multimeter, check it with the light connected/disconnected and you'll know if that was your problem. If not, just pull out fuses for other possible culprits. That's IF you find something is draining the battery
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