Had a new battery and altenator on my van a week ago.

Also had a second hand fuel cut off switch put in as the old one failed and the van wouldnt start.

Now after a week or so its really lazy starting and the battery is going flat.

At first i thought id put the leads on the altenator wrong but on long runs it charges the battery and the battery light dosnt come on so i don't think theres a fault with the altenator.

I think it could be the fuel cut of switch draining the battery as somtimes you can hear a faint buzz coming from it.

Any ideas? (Need van for work so its urgent)

 

Sounds like you have a drain, a very basic way to check is connect a multi meter in the line and see what the draw is, then start pulling fuses until the figure drops to something of the norm, then you can isolate the problem to a specific area.

Strange you should mention it as I was talking to someone the other week who had brought a new Focus, and he said it had a problem with the fuel pump constantly running which he had to take it back to the dealer for.

I presume this is a "Connect" you are talking about?

I am guessing the problem was present before the work took place?

Martin

 

No its an escort van.

Firstly the altenator failed so i replaced that.

Then the fuel cut of swich went but i knackerd the battery trying to find the fuel problem.

So i had a gurentee on the battery so i got another.

With it being a new battery its started okay for a few days so thats what makes me think the problem lies with the fuel swich as the wire is a live and somehow its draining it but with it being a good battery it hasnt affected it untill now!

 

But the pump shoulden't be permantely live, unless it's different on these?

Martin

 

Well im just guessing its that as thats the only thing (apart from altenator) thats been touched recently for the problem to occur!

 

What made you change the alternator? It is possible for a drain to occur via the alt, if the rectification side is bad, despite it being new.

Have you measured the power at the battery to see the charge rate etc?

If the switch has simply been replaced it won't be that as you haven't touched the wiring side (The live is before the switch) so it would have always been like that, unless of course someone has altered the wiring incorrectly, you would also hear the pump running and it would drain the power very quickly (Assuming it's Petrol)

Martin

 

I changed the altenator as it was faulty, battery light cme on then eventually the battery died.

Its diesel by the way.

There is a red live lead going on to the cut off switch.
The lad who changed it did have to cut and replace the wire on the cut off switch but surly if that was faulty it wouldnt start?

I havnt measured any power outputs as its only just started playing up today.

I have a good battery on the van at the minute so if i leave over night and its flat in the morning i no for sure theres a drain!

 

Is there anything else that could be draining the battery?

If so how could i test it?

 

souhds like alternator still to me fella wont b fuel cut off it wouldnt stop if it was. also check all the main leads been known to corrode where it cant be seen causes all sorts of trouble

 

If the alternator was at fault though wouldnt the battery light be on as it was before?

 

Should be yes, I personally think it's fine but you need to check the output to be sure!

Martin

 

How I explained above!

Martin

 

Thanks I will do.