↓ Advertise on Defender2 ↓

Home > Td5 > Continuing battery drain.
Post Reply  Down to end
Page 1 of 2 12>
Print this entire topic · 
tony.g



Member Since: 25 Aug 2017
Location: uk
Posts: 18

Continuing battery drain.
2005 Td5 110 CSW.
Have an ongoing but intermittent problem with battery drain. Replaced the alternator incase the diodes were faulty, but no change. Also got new battery.
Took it into dealers for check and they had it over two nights but their results show no abnormal battery discharge - just clock and immobilizer etc.
Had it back and OK over one night, but went to start it again this evening (after standing approx 30 hours) and battery completely flat, not even ignition lights would come on. There must be something heavy using up the current but can't find anything - everything switched off and key removed. I don't even set the alarm as it's always left overnight in a locked garage.
Getting desparate now and any pointers/suggestions would be welcome.
Post #659815 26th Oct 2017 8:24pm
View user's profile Send private message View poster's gallery Reply with quote
sonnysullivan



Member Since: 09 Sep 2017
Location: bermuda
Posts: 4

2005 Defender 110 Td5 CSW Caledonian Blue
could be a few things. you can make a simple tester with two wires with male spade connectors on one end, bare on the other. pull unswitched fuses and replace with the wires then touch the bare ends together. if you get a spark, then you've got a live circuit. obviously this test will work best in a dimly lit area void of explosive fumes!
Post #659834 26th Oct 2017 9:37pm
View user's profile Send private message View poster's gallery Reply with quote
agentmulder



Member Since: 16 Apr 2016
Location: Outer Space
Posts: 1324

Kuwait 
You could use a multimeter too Shocked . Solved the bowel problem, working on the consonants...
Post #659867 27th Oct 2017 10:51am
View user's profile Send private message View poster's gallery Reply with quote
bluebottle



Member Since: 08 May 2015
Location: Not in my Landy enough!
Posts: 705

United Kingdom 
Or probably instead.
Post #659874 27th Oct 2017 12:02pm
View user's profile Send private message View poster's gallery Reply with quote
hank



Member Since: 12 Sep 2016
Location: South Wales
Posts: 2218

Wales 2007 Defender 110 Puma 2.4 DCPU Stornoway Grey
Turn off, remove keys etc.

- Disconnect battery wiring from negative terminal
- Put multimeter set to DC, about 20 amps between battery negative terminal and disconnected negative wire
- Read meter to see whether there is a parasitic current draw
- If yes, start pulling fuses and relays out one by one, read the meter before/after removing each fuse/relay - much quicker with a helper!

- If multimeter reading stays the same, replace fuse.
- If/when multimeter reading indicates a reduced current draw this will identify the circuit that is drawing power, you can then investigate this circuit further

edit: this better describes the process, and with pictures! https://www.wikihow.com/Find-a-Parasitic-Battery-Drain
Post #659877 27th Oct 2017 12:23pm
View user's profile Send private message View poster's gallery Reply with quote
Clive



Member Since: 21 Mar 2014
Location: Littleborough
Posts: 467

United Kingdom 2004 Defender 90 Td5 X-Tech LE Zambezi Silver
Is the battery really actually flat? or simply "disconnected" by a dodgy earth cable?? maybe the battery -ve to chassis one loose at the chassis end for example.
Post #659880 27th Oct 2017 12:37pm
View user's profile Send private message View poster's gallery Reply with quote
landyman37



Member Since: 22 Jan 2012
Location: west midlands
Posts: 152

Had the glow plug relay drain the battery once if I remember right the cables by the gearbox had rubbed earthing the relay.

Phil
Post #660937 31st Oct 2017 4:59pm
View user's profile Send private message View poster's gallery Reply with quote
tdidiscoverer



Member Since: 15 Nov 2017
Location: Stirlingshire
Posts: 10

Scotland 2000 Defender 110 Td5 CSW Oslo Blue
Is there an update as to what the cause was for the battery drain ??
My 2000 TD5 defender is doing exactly the same.

It must be something major as it blew a 12 amp fuse in my multimeter when I pulled out the yellow relay beneath the drivers seat ???
Post #664668 15th Nov 2017 9:36pm
View user's profile Send private message View poster's gallery Reply with quote
tony.g



Member Since: 25 Aug 2017
Location: uk
Posts: 18

I've not got any further with my discharge problem.
Tried all the things mentioned by others but no result. Mine seems to be intermittent, which has me worried
incase it's a short somewhere.
It hasn't occurred now for at least a couple of weeks but doesn't inspire confidence.
Intermittent electrical problems must be the hardest thing to find.
12 amps on yours semms a hell of a lot.
Post #664725 16th Nov 2017 7:42am
View user's profile Send private message View poster's gallery Reply with quote
tdidiscoverer



Member Since: 15 Nov 2017
Location: Stirlingshire
Posts: 10

Scotland 2000 Defender 110 Td5 CSW Oslo Blue
I think it has to be either the glow plug circuit or the alternator that is causing my fault. The battery can flatten in a couple of hours.
I left it parked up last weekend with a full charge and by Monday morning there was only 4.5 volts.
I have a twin battery setup and have disconnected the second battery to eliminate that.

Keep me posted please if anything else develops with your car.

Cheers Richard
Post #664820 16th Nov 2017 4:16pm
View user's profile Send private message View poster's gallery Reply with quote
dorsetsmith



Member Since: 30 Oct 2011
Location: South West
Posts: 4554

with it parked up and NO engine running and full charge battery disconnected alternator power cable and pull glow plug relay under drivers seat to eliminate these two

remember reconnect alternator power cable before starting the engine Exclamation
Post #664827 16th Nov 2017 4:56pm
View user's profile Send private message View poster's gallery Reply with quote
tdidiscoverer



Member Since: 15 Nov 2017
Location: Stirlingshire
Posts: 10

Scotland 2000 Defender 110 Td5 CSW Oslo Blue
Thanks for the suggestion. I will let you know how it goes.
Post #664938 16th Nov 2017 9:32pm
View user's profile Send private message View poster's gallery Reply with quote
blackwolf



Member Since: 03 Nov 2009
Location: South West England
Posts: 16808

United Kingdom 2007 Defender 110 Puma 2.4 DCPU Stornoway Grey
Remember when disconnecting the alternator charging lead that it will be live and only protected by a megafuse, you could easily melt a spanner or get a nasty burn if careless.

I would suggest that you also disconnect the control circuits from the alternator since a fault with the rectifier pack could also (I think) cause the battery to discharge.
Post #664969 16th Nov 2017 11:23pm
View user's profile Send private message View poster's gallery Reply with quote
dorsetsmith



Member Since: 30 Oct 2011
Location: South West
Posts: 4554

Remember when disconnecting the alternator charging lead that it will be live and only protected by a mega fuse, you could easily melt a spanner or get a nasty burn if careless.

Very Good point about LIVE alternator charging lead Exclamation ( disconnect battery end first ) Exclamation

mega fuse post 07 defender only

disconnect the control circuits TD5 alternator control circuits is feed by two fuse in centre fuse box 15 and 12 for post 2001 TD5


blackwolf thank


Last edited by dorsetsmith on 17th Nov 2017 4:34pm. Edited 1 time in total
Post #665002 17th Nov 2017 7:58am
View user's profile Send private message View poster's gallery Reply with quote
tdidiscoverer



Member Since: 15 Nov 2017
Location: Stirlingshire
Posts: 10

Scotland 2000 Defender 110 Td5 CSW Oslo Blue
I have disconnected and isolated the main alternator cable. I cannot pull the plug from the top of the alternator to completely disconnect it.
I have removed the large black relay AMR3773 from under the drivers seat. I am assuming that this is the correct relay because of the size of the terminals. Microcat says that this is a ABS pump relay however my car does not have ABS

Now that my multi meter is working again I have 0.047 amps on the battery and 0.024 amps across the 100 amp fuse under the seat.

Now wait and see ??
Post #665087 17th Nov 2017 1:28pm
View user's profile Send private message View poster's gallery Reply with quote
Post Reply  Back to top
Page 1 of 2 12>
All times are GMT

Jump to  
Previous Topic | Next Topic >
Posting Rules
You cannot post new topics in this forum
You cannot reply to topics in this forum
You cannot edit your posts in this forum
You cannot delete your posts in this forum
You cannot vote in polls in this forum



Site Copyright © 2006-2024 Futuranet Ltd & Martin Lewis
DEFENDER2.NET RSS Feed - All Forums