Technical Battery draining

[nathonjones]

Having a real problem with the battery constantly draining on our Fiat Multipla JTD 1.9 (2005).

Car wouldn't start because there was nothing left in the battery but we assumed that this was in connection with a clogged injector problem we were having which caused us problems starting.

Anyway, the clogged injector problem was resolved by regularly putting in diesel cleaner, however the battery issue remained.

We had a new battery fitted, because we assumed we'd killed the old one during the injector issue and all seemed well for about a week.

Tried to start the car yesterday and the battery is as flat as a pancake!

Has anyone ever experienced this and, if so, what should we check for?

I did some reading and there was a few suggestions about checking fuses but, being non-mechanical, I've no idea how to do that. What I would say though is that our screen wash keeps failing and I did change a fuse on that, using the spare fuse that was already installed in the fuse box, and it worked. It has since failed again though suggesting an issue there, although I doubt that's enough to drain a battery stone dead, is it?

There have been no mods to the car since we purchased it.

Hope someone can help. Thanks.

N.

 

[momoe]

If you're not handy with the spanners, then an auto-electrician should be able to identify which group of components is draining by checking current drain across the fuses.
If there's enough drain to flatten a new battery overnight, this should be fairly obvious.
From there it'll be a matter of identifying which particular component/circuit is the issue, however given the screen wash pump? is problematic, I'd remove this particular fuse when you leave the car overnight and see if this stops the battery draining..

IF they don't share the same fuse, I'd also remove the fuse for the radio as I've known these to play up in the past.

 

[nathonjones]

Thank you momoe.

The new battery was in for about a week, but that's still a fair drain on the battery.

Problem is, in the fuses section of the handbook there is nothing listed, specifically, for "screen wash" and I can't remember which fuse it was I changed previously. There are listings for the windscreen wiper but the wipers are still working, it's just the screen wash that isn't.

Regarding the stereo, it is listed in the handbook twice as "+30 sound system" (fuse no. 12) and "+15 sound system" (fuse no. 13), however these fuses also seem to cover a lot of other things such as the front ceiling light, instrument panel, rear ceiling light etc. Is it safe to remove this fuse?

Do you know which fuse it is?

Sorry for all the questions. Absolute novice here.

Thank you.
N.

 

[MultiPa]

The battery is charged when you drive the car, or should be. The battery had gone flat between when you last used it and when you tried to start it - I'm guessing that's less than a week?

I'd try removing fuse 10 as it controls the wipers and the headlamp washers, so I guess it does the windscreen washer too. The headlamp washer is the same pump AFAIK.

Obviously you will have no windscreen wipers, so don't drive it like this - just see if it stops the battery going flat.

 

[momoe]

You might want to check that the battery is charging correctly to reassure yourself this isn't exacerbating the problem.
IF the fault is constant, then isolating the circuit will help - post up which fuse you believe resolved the issue and the forum can probably identify the most likely suspects.

N.B. Page 195 of the Handbook advises not to turn the ignition key to MAR position with fuses out as this can cause an error to be logged in the airbag control system, I suspect this is referring to fuse No. 32 specifically rather than any fuse but proceed with caution!

 

[Zundapp]

All as above, plus a very basic thing to try is to remove the bulb from the boot light, just in case there's an intermittent fault with the boot light switch.

 

[T14086]

Battery drain test is quickest and best method.

If it's rapid and total drain could be alternator diode pack.

 

[La Grenouille]

My son had a very similar problem on his Fiat Ducato van and after buying a new alternator, battery and starter motor, which didn't cure the problem, he found the cause of the battery draining to be corrosion on the chassis end of the earth lead which connects the chassis to the engine block.

A £4.50 replacement cable from his local Auto factors and using a different connection point on the chassis cured the problem. The slightest rust will break the circuit and drain the battery from full charge to dead flat overnight easily. However, on Multiplas there may be more than one earth lead, I think there might be one from the gearbox to the chassis as well as from the engine to chassis.

By trying to move the cables at both ends may highlight the problem.

HTH

 

[Hectors House]

I bought Fiat Multipla 54 plate 2 years ago and all was fine. Within the last couple of months kept finding flat battery. By sheer chance a couple of times i noticed the radio was on. Thinking this was the kids ignored it and problem continued. After having battery and altinator checked and given all clear. The radio was still turning itself on. Had the CD player removed from car and low and behold no flat battery anymore. Waiting to see if stereo can be repaired if not going to get this replaced. This seems to be an ongoing problem with blaupunkt stereo randomly turning itself on over night thus leaving battery flat.

 

[martyc5674]

Check your rear occupancy lights can switch on and off by pressing them... The microswitches in mine had overheated and melted(both!!) and were causing a drain on the battery. ..was a strange one.
Marty.

 

[mingualez]

I also have this problem. I have had the car for around a month with no issue until last few days. The battery drained totally flat over night. I recharged took for a good long spin, started the next eve, as not using, started fine, following evening tried to start and was almost completely drained.
The battery is brand new, fitted by previous owner. I suspect an intermittent problem they may of had?
Could anyone help guide me on identifying earth leads to check please, as stated above.

Thanks. lee

 

[momoe]

Disconnect and remove the battery (Assuming you know the radio code), you should now be able to follow the earth leads from the battery to the engine and chassis.
Unbolt the leads, clean, grease and replace.

If this doesn't resolve the problem, you need to check current drain across fuses to establish which set of components are causing the problem, however read above posts regarding the usual suspects.

 

[mingualez]

Big thanks!!!!!

 

[DRIVE ME CRAZY]

I dont know whats causing it but my second vehicle a galaxy has the same problem ibought one of those devices to plug in instead of the fuse only £10 got to be worth it. waste of time it only does up to 10amps, and you've got to swich the ign on a & off with each check so unless you disconnect your glowplugs you,ll flaten the battery while doing the tests.
By the way i took it to an autolec who had it for a day and half didnt play up for him took it home battery flat 2 days would not know if i used it everyday been charging it for 2 years ,it grinds you down.

 

[mingualez]

As glow plugs have been mentioned here, I need to ask a question as a little suspicion has come to mind. My glow plug coil light shows up on start up as it should. But takes 45-1min to go out. Every other diesel i have driven stays up for 5-10 secs. Any thoughts on this would be appreciated.

 

[momoe]

As previously mentioned, glowplugs do take a lot of current.

You won't be needing glowplugs this time of year, so disconnect them and see if this solves your problem?

 

[mingualez]

Disconnect and remove the battery (Assuming you know the radio code), you should now be able to follow the earth leads from the battery to the engine and chassis.
Unbolt the leads, clean, grease and replace.

If this doesn't resolve the problem, you need to check current drain across fuses to establish which set of components are causing the problem, however read above posts regarding the usual suspects.

Ok. Finally found time to try and have a look at this prob today. As long as I drive on a daily basis I have no prob! The earth lead goes under battery tray( can't get the bugger out) But the lead appears to go through a hole and down. Have had look underneath but struggling to identify. Can anyone give me any idea on usual fixing locations for the earth leads? Ta. Lee

 

[mingualez]

Locations of earth's fyi.
https://docs.google.com/viewer?a=v&...nxmaWF0bXVsdGlwbGF8Z3g6NGU2MjdiMWJhOTgyOGJjMg

Following some of the above troubleshoots I have noticed my lamp washers do not work. Window wiper washers jets are fine, pump is still sounding for lamps but no water projected. Maybe I have found another culprit? I am intrigued to remove fuse and see if this remedies problem. However been a little put off by MOMOE's post re-manual not recommending starting with fuses missing. Anyone done this????

 

[mingualez]

Just to keep updated and for future peeps issues. Bought multi meter and run basic trouble shoots. First disconnected N on battery and took reading (0.32, 2.19 with door open as test!) Then fitted temp earth still 0.32. Removed boot lamp, washer pump fuses etc etc still 0.32. Pulled stereo fuse dropped to 0.10. Guess I found main culprit. Is 0.1 an acceptable pull or should it be lower?

Thanks in advance

 

[momoe]

0.1 is probably ok, are you testing for volts or resistance and what scale are you using?