Battery drain...

AlanS · Post by **AlanS** » 04 Jul 2010, 18:40

1995 -850....Sorry I didn't continue the old thread... couldn't find it. So, the battery is draining...must be charged each startup. I pulled the + terminal off the battery and put my multimeter in series to complete the circuit. Now, I know nothing about electricity...just doing what was suggested to try to locate the drain. The meter read 18.7 (what ever that means...and it would fluctuate up and down from 18.6-19.00). I pulled every fuse. When I pulled #10, the central locking circuit, the meter dropped to 8.5. Did it again to verify. Does this mean that somehow the Central locking system is draining the battery? Or did I do nothing in the hunt for this problem.
If it is the Central Locking System...what now?

peacock · Post by **peacock** » 05 Jul 2010, 08:56

yes that does mean that however it may not be the locking system so much as the system leaving light on inside the car.

Volgrrr · Post by **Volgrrr** » 06 Jul 2010, 02:18

Iassume the figures you list are milliamps. If this assumption is correct then this would mean power being consumed would be in the vicinity of 2 watts.

This leads me to think it might be the glove box light remaining illuminated when the glove box is shut - and this can be established quite easily.

Wait till dark then, ensuring all competing light sources are eliminated (i.e. interior and background), examine closely the gap that seperates the glovebox and dashboard in the vicinity where the glovebox lamp is located to establish if any trace of light can be seen. If there is, then it is only a simple matter of adjusting the small switch on the edge of the glovebox.