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        General >> Problems >> Battery discharging
        
(Message started by: Ford_Sweden on Sep 19^th, 2006, 5:58pm)

Title: Battery discharging
Post by Ford_Sweden on Sep 19^th, 2006, 5:58pm

Hello!
Many peolple writing about flat batteries, and the solutions are plenty, But after follow all the hits and tips on my scorp, the problem is still there, one thing ive noticed was a green big relay in the fusebox, marked something like Eng Ctrl relay. Could this be the problem? when i connected the charger the relay starts to tick and making little noices, the problems comes when i let the car stand still for about 2-4 days, Lucky me that i have a Dogde van with 8 cyl. no unusal electrical things, just plain old american style.

Title: Re: Battery discharging
Post by TiberiuS on Sep 19^th, 2006, 8:21pm

Is it a new battery? Even new ones have been known to be defective ;). It may be worth while getting it checked.

If you can get hold of a multimeter you can test the state of charge in the battery/whether it is getting charged, the voltage should be over 11v for a good one, rising to around 14 with the engine running.

Look on here (http://www.fordscorpio.co.uk/temp.htm) and see if you can find the relay listed.

If the batt proves ok, it sounds as though there is a drain there somewhere, any aftermarket electrics fitted to the car?

The best way of finding a drain is to rig an ammeter up to the battery and start pulling fuses until the current drops...

Regards, Bruce.

Title: Re: Battery discharging
Post by Ford_Sweden on Sep 19^th, 2006, 8:26pm

Thanks for your replay, and yes the battery is brand new aprox 1 week, and the voltage is around 13,5 Volts,
I have a multimeter that will take about 10A, would that be suitable you think?
Regards
Peter

Title: Re: Battery discharging
Post by Ford_Sweden on Sep 19^th, 2006, 8:28pm

What about relay No16 (Power saver) could this be my trouble?

Title: Re: Battery discharging
Post by TiberiuS on Sep 19^th, 2006, 8:57pm

Hello Peter, 10A should be fine, the idea is that you disconnect the battery positive and connect the multimeter inline, just don't try and start the car with the meter inline :o.

If you get an abnormal current, start pulling fuses until it drops. One thing to check also is the courtesy/glovebox lamps, a lamp staying on will drain the battery, this has happened to me on another car.

I wouldn't think the relay would be the problem, mabye someone else will think different ;)

Bruce.

Title: Re: Battery discharging
Post by Ford_Sweden on Sep 19^th, 2006, 9:01pm

Thanks again! i'll try that tomorrow, if its not raining here i Sweden ;)

Title: Re: Battery discharging
Post by Spannerdemon on Sep 19^th, 2006, 9:40pm

Glovebox light.

Have a look when it's dark. I had to build up a little 'pad' of three rubber tap washers to take up the gap between the switch and the glovebox lid to make sure the light went out. Couldn't find any way to take up the gap.

Title: Re: Battery discharging
Post by Ford_Sweden on Sep 20^th, 2006, 3:38pm

Have tried all the fuses and when i pull out No36 the A-meter drops to nearle 0,2 A, with the fuse in place i meassure about 0,55A, as i understand its the powersaving fuse that somehow i working in conjunction with the powersave relay, so could it still be the relay thats faulty?

Hip hurray
Found the problem!!
it was the lamp in the trunk that not would go off, so ill take it from there
Tanks for all the hints
Regards
Peter

Title: Re: Battery discharging
Post by TiberiuS on Sep 20^th, 2006, 6:19pm

Good good, hope you've sorted it ;)

I had a tailgate lamp go on a Mondeo a couple of years back, always a good place to look.

Regards, Bruce.