Battery drain problem

[digisatman]

Hi all,

I normally only drive my e270cdi(53) on the weekends, and have been finding that the car need a jump start on saturdays (first day after about 5 days break). I even put a new high power battery a couple of week ago and seemed to do the trick, but tryed to start today, and needed a jump start again.

If I drive a short distance after jump starting, then switch engine off, it starts fine.

I am wondering what could be the problem, is there any check I can do to figure out whats up?

thanks,

 

[Parrot of Doom]

Something is draining the battery, check that an interior light isn't staying on when you lock the car, the bulb in the boot, bulbs in the footwells, on the bottom of the doors, the radio, etc.

 

[colechelle]

have you got command on the car???? that used to be the main battery drain on the early 211,

 

[television]

Isnt the overhead control panel another

 

[colechelle]

not as far as i can remember malcolm, used to be command, drivers side seat control module and software update for nav keeping it awake! thinking about it seen a few from o,h panel with signal line to rear sam staying awake so could be a poss???

 

[colechelle]

I think we need a bit more info on the spec of the car, just got me thinking now, was a few years when the first 211,s come out!!!

 

[television]

The last 211 that I answered on had a faulty rear SAM there current consumption was 10x too high, but the best it got down to was 50ma just a touch over the normal of 40ma

And the thing that I am thinking here is that the car has been jumped

 

[digisatman]

have you got command on the car???? that used to be the main battery drain on the early 211,

no, dont have command, the only thing extra on the car is the universal hands free car kit, which shouldnt be taking power when no phone connected?

 

[colechelle]

ah the magic word, phone kit, get a muti-meter, connect in line close the boot and lock car, on amp settings i would be looking at 0.08ma after about 20min, try it again with hands free kit connected and guess your see about an 1 amp drain!!!most people dont understand how these cars are wired, a can bus needs very little to keep the can awake, hence heavy drain, halfords is the worse with the speed detectors, schotch block in to the can lines!!!!

 

[television]

, halfords is the worse with the speed detectors, schotch block in to the can lines!!!!

Sorry I had to laugh at this a I am lucky as I do not get to see these things,,Whats a CAN bus to Halfords

 

[jberks]

Ours was the hazard light switch (2003 E220cdi) - we had to replace the switch cluster.

The other thing was that it didn't show up for around 30 mins after the car was turned off so initial checks on current drain showed nothing. Made it a bugger to find.

 

[digisatman]

Can anyone tell me how I can check if the boot lights stay on while boot is closed, as I cant rell when boot is closed. Can I switch off using onboard computer?

thanks

 

[JEZ.S320L]

Can anyone tell me how I can check if the boot lights stay on while boot is closed, as I cant rell when boot is closed. Can I switch off using onboard computer?

thanks

Silly answer time, I'm afraid. - Get someone to climb into the boot whilst you close it...!

 

[Dec]

The bulb will be hot after 30 seconds if it is remaining on, or you could remove the bulb if you suspect it.

Dec

 

[television]

Dec's idea was brilliant

 

[digisatman]

thanks for all help so far, thinking of testing the amps out tomorrow, do i just Disconnect the negative from the battery, connect it to the - on the meter and connect the + on the meter to the - terminal on the battery? what the ball park range for amps this kind of car should be using while off, and how long should I wait for it to settle down?

Secondly, what setting should i set meter at first, to avoid blowing the fuse!, milliamps, etc?

finally, how am I going to check amps, without closing boot, or should boot close with wire hanging out of it?

 

[davidsl500]

Can anyone tell me how I can check if the boot lights stay on while boot is closed, as I cant rell when boot is closed. Can I switch off using onboard computer?

thanks

If you have a digital camera with video facility - or a camcorder, then put it in the boot pointing at the bootlight, set to record and close lid. Playback the video to see what happened....