Brought my first car a few days ago, its a mk3 Fez and i love it

Only problem is it eats batteries for breakfast

When i brought the car it had been standing for a while and battery was dead so i got it jump started and on the way back home the car just stalled and would'nt start again as there was no power to start it. After a quick phone call my mate came to the rescue with a set of jump leads and off we set again.

When i got the car onto my drive i got out my multimeter and connected it to the battery terminals, i got a reading of 14.3 volts. When i turned the engine OFF i got a reading from the battery terminals of just 4.1 volts.

Now because when the car is running the battery terminals are at 14v i thought that the battery was nakard and that it is'nt holding charge. The alternator could'nt be nakard because that 14.3 volt reading had to come from somewere.

Anyway i purchased a new battery and installed it on the car and she fired up first time, however i tried to start the car again a few hours later and to my shock the battery had just enough power in it to start the engine

Were did my power go???

I decided to do a quick test, so i started the car and turned the main beams on and revved the engine, the lights didnt get brighter. Is my alternator fooked???

Also when the car is at idle WITH-OUT the headlights on the idle is smooth and rock solid but when i turn the headlights ON the engine then bogs down and idles very lumpy and the engine tries to stall. Its as if the headlights take all the power and there is just about enough to keep the engine runing.

Do i have a short somewere??

Whats the best way to test :

1. The alternator
2. The battery
3. The loom for a short?

Any ideas anyone??

All i wanna do is go out and enjoy my little fezza, its pissing me off that ive finally got a car and cant use it

 

Anyone???

 

Have a look at my electrics guide here:

http://forum.fordsierraclub.co.uk/viewtopic.php?t=18853

Do the tests and report you findings here