RS_Ant

I brought my very first car 2 days ago and i love it to bits. Its a little silver J-reg fezza

But it eats batteries for breakfast

Ive brought a new battery today and fitted it to the car and it was fine, Ive just tried to start it 10 minutes ago and the battery was that drained it just about started the car. Ive had my test meter on the battery terminals to see if the alternator is working when the car is running and it showed 14.3v and when i shut the engine off and tested the battery terminals again it showered little over 4v The car had a very basic alarm but i just took that off and when i did the live wire was covered in mould and shit could that have anything to do with it??, the neutral wire was fine.

Could it be a short due to the age of the car?? Or am i testing it wrong??

If there is a short is there a way to test the loom?

Its really pissing me off now as im completely stupmed on what the problem is and as its my first car i just wanna go out for a drive but i cant until its sorted

RS_Ant

Is that the only thing to check? Am i better off testing to see if the alternator is working at battery terminals? or am i better off testing it at the alternator itself??

lardypants

you need to check it for a current drain

RS_Ant

How do i do that??

RS_Ant

Come on chaps, all i wanna do is drive my little fez around

ballin

iTrader: (1)

Your alternator is working. You have a big power drain from somewhere, you just need to find it.

stickertone

disconnect the earth strap from the battery and connect an ammeter between battery and strap, this should show any drain.... remove fuses one at a time and see if it alters the reading... replace each fuse before pulling the next... you'll find out what cuircuit its on that way.... common things are boot lights ets... good luck

RS_Ant

I tried the battery again a couple hours ago without the alarm plugged connected and the battery light didnt come on this time. Anyway i turned the headlights on and reved the engine to see if they got brighter, they did'nt.... does it meens the alternator is nakard??? arent the lights suposed to get brighter???

Also when the headlights are turned OFF the car has a nice smooth idle and as soon as i turn the headlights on the idle speed drops alot and engine just manages not to stall and runs very poorly but when i put some revs on the engine then runs fines fine. Its as if there isnt enough battery power at idle to run the engine AND the electrics at the same time.

Could my new battery be to small for the engine?? or is it like the alternator or a short?????

Csm

Disconnect the rear window heater as lots of cars are common for this draining the battery and do take quite a bit of power when switched on

Boot lights as mentioned can be a culprit also