MAREA losing charge

[Ian]

after standing for a couple of days the Marea is losing it'scharge it has had two new batteries but the problem persists. I have disconnected the boot lamp but no joy there doesanyone have any other suggestions? I would like if possible a link to a wiring diagram please

 

[Dark Lurker]

What would disconnecting the boot lamp do? If the boot isnt open the light won't come on.if it's not holding it's charge then it's normally down to the alternator as that is the battery charger.go to a garage or motor factor and get your battery tested on idle.you should get around 12 volts.

 

[Darren]

As you mentioned in your post, it's after standing so it's not the alternator.
The alternator is what charges the battery when you are driving it, if your not driving it, it doesn't need charging.

Do you have an aftermarket stereo in it? that's what normally does it as sometimes the plugs can be the wrong way round behind the unit and cause it to constantly pull power from the battery.

Have you changed anything recently which is electrical in the car?

Darren

 

[Dark Lurker]

yer the alternator does charge the car as we all know.but if its not holding its charge after being used,then wouldnt that mean the alt.is on its way out as its not doin its job?? If it kept its charge the alt.would be fine.

its not down to lights bein left left on cos they go out when the key is pulled out.
Do a test,Disconnect the stereo for a night and see if itll start the next day.if it starts fine then you have a positive live feed at fault on the stereo.If it doesnt then you know its nothing to do with that and its down to the battery end.i.e alt as suggested.

 

[Sven]

Disconnect the negative clamp from the battery, take a multimeter and set it on A. Connect the red side on the battery negative pole and the black on the earth clamp. The reading should be under 0,3A. If its not, start pulling out fuse by fuse till it drops to 0 or under 0,3A. The fuse that does that has a fault on its circuit.

Members Site ---------My Site

 

[Mike]

thats a handy thing to know.thanks for the heads up on

A Fiat Marea in a Bravo Shell..Its good to be different
Now with working Steering Wheel Controls
K+N Ind Kit 2 cold air feeds,
Custom 'zorst Twin Exit backbox,
FC Performance chip > 160bhp

 

[MarkB]

Check the gauges...

Our Marea 20V has a problem with losing charge, which appears to be due to a problem in the instrument panel. Sometimes even with the ignition off the instruments stay on (e.g. fuel and temp gauge stay up) and there is a faint light behind the odometer. Seems to depend on temp/humidity, I've had the instruments out and can see some apparent shorts in the circuit board. When it's happening the outside temp gauge doesn't work either...

Should really replace the inst panel, but in the meantime have put an isolating switch on the battery for if the car is being left for more than a couple of days.Mark.