I have a mk4 escort cabriolet mfi. The problem is battery goes flat within 24 hours. Brand new battery and alternator and all cables going to it are fine. When running it generates 13.9 volts and charges the battery. When switched off it goes flat i have put a meter across the earth wire and battery and it sits at 6 amps when i remove fuses it still sits at 6 amps. I presume when you remove the fuses whatever is draining battery the amps will dissapear. The only thing i haven't removed is the relays behind the dash. Can anybody help on this one as it's got me stumped.
Cheers

 

after charging etc remove the connection at the earth post -reconnect before you use car-any difference???-two things
-a drain off
- battery not holding charge (dead cell)
removing the post connection will expose a dead cell(not holding charge)
a dead cell happens -''just like that!!'' no warning.

 

So when u drive the car its ok n doesnt cut out or anything?

 

Just disconnect the battery overnight then recconect in the morning, if it is ok you obviously have a drain/short.
Next day disconnect the alternator, main lead overnight with battery connected, if it is ok you have a buggered alternator with LEAKY DIODES.
The alternator is ALWAYS connected to the battery and does NOT go through a fuse or relay, so will always drain if at fault, as they can be, EVEN when they charge perfectly.
tabetha

 

Yeah car runs fine when started on jump leads it charges battery. I left it tonight with eveything disconnected battery was at 12.5 volts after an hour 12.3 volts. I'll leave it overnight and see but i'll get battery checked by supplier as it's brand new only 3 days old. The alternator was a new one that was bought for a turbo but only used for a week it's sat in my garage for about 3 months. but i'll try what you suggest and see what happens.

 

Sorry mate - buit you can't measure current draw in parallel

 

mine was just like this i had new batter and alternater when i first got my s2 at first the brand new alternater was shaged brush pach so put a new one on agen and still went flat slow at turning over and i had a dry cell and it was only a week old

 

In fact ive just thought - if you've put your meter across the battery to do a current test A) 6 amps is like way way down B) im surprised your meter still works and C) and im even more surprised your dont have burn marks on your hands

 

(if you've put your meter across the battery to do a current test A) 6 amps is like way way down B) im surprised your meter still works and C) and im even more surprised your dont have burn marks on your hands)
It isn't across the battery, disconnect earth lead from battery and place meter on earth lead the other end on battery- put meter onto amps dc and i think you'll find my hands and meter are still fine no scorch marks or anything. The meter reads 6.9 amps if you were to put a test bulb in between also it should light up if you have a short. Mines doesn't light up.
I'm beginning to think battery or alternator but i'll need to try the alternator connected itself.

 

I doubt its anything on the main charging circuit if its only 6A or so, probably something within the car.

Start pulling fuses and relays out the fuse box and see if you can make the reading go away.

 

Well i think i've found the problem i unplugged the stereo and it's still charged if the 12v supply and ignition supply are the wrong way round would it discharge a battery this quick. And would the stereo work without the ignition being on as it only works when the ignition is on.

 

Having them the wrong way shouldn't make any difference, your stereo just won't hold its memory.

Have you got amps wired into the car by any chance

 

Nope no amps or anything just stereo and speakers but i disconnected the stereo last night and the battery still has plenty of juice left to start car but when stereo was connected went flat in about 24 hours.

 

So what colour wires on the stereo are connected, and to what colours on the car?