I had a Laserline alarm/immob installed before Xmas, since then my battery has been draining to the point where it dies... It doesn't help with me not using the car on a daily basis, but this didn't happen pre-alarm and I didn't use the car any more/less than I do now.
I am going to get it back into the alarm fitters for them to check they haven't caused a drain.... But is there anything else that I could check that is a common fault that might cause this?
Ta muchly!!!!
Battery being drained......
Moderator: martauto
-
smithy318i
- Engaged to the E30 Zone
- Posts: 5797
- Joined: Thu Apr 28, 2005 11:00 pm
- Location: Tyne & Wear
Have the battery tested.
-
toby
- E30 Zone Addict
- Posts: 3609
- Joined: Thu Aug 11, 2005 11:00 pm
- Location: Kent
when you turn on ignition do all the dash lights come on?
if not there may be an earthing problem from alternator
but
sounds likely that that recent work you had done may be causing a drain
if not there may be an earthing problem from alternator
but
sounds likely that that recent work you had done may be causing a drain
-
E46ACS
- E30 Zone Newbie
- Posts: 109
- Joined: Sun Oct 23, 2005 11:00 pm
- Location: Durham
The lights come on, dim, but they come on. I think it is either the battery or there is a drain as a result of the new installation. Just wanted to check in case there was a common fault I could check as well.
But most appreciated.....
But most appreciated.....
-
stonesie
- E30 Zone Addict
- Posts: 3277
- Joined: Sat Jan 07, 2006 11:00 pm
- Location: Doncaster
I would say the battery too, the cold knocks the stuffing out of them 
-
Brianmoooore
- E30 Zone Team Member
- Posts: 49360
- Joined: Mon Jan 10, 2005 11:00 pm
Get your battery charged up, then go to a place that sells batteries (small, independant type tyre place recommended), and ask them to test it.
Most places will do this for free, as they hope to sell you a new battery.
If the battery is dying, then fit a new one and see what happens. If your current battery is good, then take it back to the alarm fitters.
If you're any good with a multimeter you could try setting it to a DC current range, loosening the neg. terminal of the battery, clipping the black lead to the earth trerminal on the strut turret, and pushing the red probe vertically downwards through the middle of the clamp onto the middle of the neg battery pole.
Then just lift the neg clamp up off the pole and check the current reading on the meter, then drop the clamp back down again, and don't forget to tighten it.
Current drain varies, depending on what is fitted to the car, from about 30mA to 70mA.
Anything over 90mA needs investigating.
Do this with the alarm set and unset, but don't forget to deal with any under bonnet sensor, i.e. microswitch or pin switch, first.
Most places will do this for free, as they hope to sell you a new battery.
If the battery is dying, then fit a new one and see what happens. If your current battery is good, then take it back to the alarm fitters.
If you're any good with a multimeter you could try setting it to a DC current range, loosening the neg. terminal of the battery, clipping the black lead to the earth trerminal on the strut turret, and pushing the red probe vertically downwards through the middle of the clamp onto the middle of the neg battery pole.
Then just lift the neg clamp up off the pole and check the current reading on the meter, then drop the clamp back down again, and don't forget to tighten it.
Current drain varies, depending on what is fitted to the car, from about 30mA to 70mA.
Anything over 90mA needs investigating.
Do this with the alarm set and unset, but don't forget to deal with any under bonnet sensor, i.e. microswitch or pin switch, first.