9 replies to this topic

[Mini808]

Hi all, any help would be greatly appreciated. The battery in my newly bought 1989 mini is draining when not being used. I tested the draw which is 0.29 amps. I removed the four glass fuses one at a time and found that the second from top when removed brought the draw down to 0.19, so I guess theres a 0.1 amp draw from something on those lines. I understood that this fuse, for lines 3 & 4 is for the horn, headlight flasher and brake failure circuit.

My two questions are:

does anyone have any suggestions which of these components is the most likely culprit?

and what are the likely culprits for the around 0.2 amp draw which does not apprear to be linked with any of the fused lines?

Thanks a lot in advance for any suggestions!

[WillCarter]

Not too sure what the draw could be, maybe just from the battery still being connected. Get a battery immobiliser to save your battery. 

[kyle_1275]

Just going to throw a spanner in the works and ask if your ignition light is working? I had a similar problem for weeks before realising I had a blown bulb, replaced it and the battery hasn’t lost charge since!

[Rorf]

Four fuse holder with ignition and lights off there should be zero draw (at the battery) unless the interior light is on. Only other things that would normally draw power are some types of radios, trackers and alarm system.

 

A common shorting problem is the reverse wire being burnt next to the exhaust pipe.

[Sprocket]

Dim dip relay........

[mikal]

Does it have an aftermarket  radio/ stereo fitted? Mine was drawing 200 mA even when turned off. i.e. internal fault.

[CityEPete]

Can you separate the outgoing wires from terminal 4? Could be a small short circuit maybe via the flasher pull or horn wire, a bit of chaffing near the bulkhead or steering column.

[Henry's Dad]

I had a similar problem a few years back and, as mentioned by Mikal, it turned out to be my after-market CD/radio which was draining the battery even when it wasn't switched on. I disconnected it, recharged the battery and everything was fine after that. I also now have a CTEK trickle charger, which I hook up now and again to keep the battery topped up, and have had no problems since.

[mini13]

alarms, clocks and stereo's are the noprmal culprits, Immobilizers can draw a little too.

 

after those, an iffy alternator

[KernowCooper]

All those items you mentioned are feeds to a switch so should all be off when car is left, culprits as mentioned are aftermarket radios,alarms etc.

 

Whip the plug out of the back of the alternator and see if the current drops, if so you have the start of a doide failure in the diode pack in the alternator.

 

whip the column cover off and check the voltage at the main plug to the ignition switch to ensure there is not a small amount going through the switch when off.

 

Visually check for add on wiring by pub electrical specialists, I see piggy back wires joined to live wires anywhere they can bypass a faulty, so with the ignition off they feed other components which are still live