Hi all, my car has developed a major electrical drain that when the car sits for a day or so it is dead. I've had my local independent go through it and it appeared he had resolved it. picked it up Wednesday morning, went to start it this morning (Friday) dead.


any advice on what we should be checking, not sure what exactly has been done.

 

Check that the boot (trunk) lights go out when the lid is closed.

 

Excellent advice! Put a rubber pad on the boot lid to ensure the switch really goes off.

If that does not do it, you have to work methodically through the systems (assuming no aftermarket gizmos fitted) more or less as follows::

• put a meter between the positive battery post and the actual positive cable (ensuring boot lights are disabled), see what the current drain is. More than a few milliamps is a problem. If there is a drain, then:
• fuse by fuse remove each fuse and check if the drain stops. If it does, then that is the suspect circuit
• If none of that helps, disconnect the amp alternator and starter main feed from the USA passenger side firewall post. If this stops the drain, the trouble is probably in the alt (but just possibly the starter or solenoid).
• If none of this stops the drain (unlikely but anything is possible) post again. But you must check all the fuses, both sides of the lower dash and under the bonnet.

Greg

 

Hey Guys, checked again and it appears the switch wasn't hitting and causing the problem. verified it by putting my phone by the light on record while closing the boot. I put an extra washer to bring the switch down a drop and it seems to have solved it. will keep you guys posted.