battery keeps going flat???

[Youngblood]

I have replaced 3 batteries in my vt ss 5 litre, now i know the battery is not the problem, im guessing the alternator voltage regulator or a power drain, if i jump start when flat the battery charges up after a drive so thinking alternator is ok, the central locking isnt working so could it be draining the battery trying to lock or unlock? anyone had this similar problem? how can i find the problem? cheers

[pablo]

I'm no auto sparky, but you could disconnect one battery terminal then put a amp meter in the circuit to check current drain. Then remove a fuse/relay, one only at a time, to see what circuit has the power drain.
Pablo

[VrWagz1]

Its hard to help without a time frame, if its only a show car and you only take it out every few months than i would say thats normal.
If its only over night i would say alt reg, if its a bit longer i would say check boot, blove box lights. More info needed.

[Youngblood]

if it doesnt get driven for 3 or 4 days it goes flat, and they are high cca batteries, i have a battery drain meter for checking battery condition and after a charge with 5 amp charger they are perfect accordin to the meter.

Pablo, can i use any cheap amp meter off ebay or do i need a special one inparticular? what amp range is suitable for this sequence? cheers

[pablo]

Most multimeters have a 10 amp test circuit built in them. This would more than cover your power drain.

Pablo

[Youngblood]

oh ok, I have a multi meter, which symbol should it be put on, i connected a multi meter to a battery years ago and it started smoking, cant remember what the dial what set on but i only use the volt part now. lol.

[buddah]

I had a similar problem about 12 months ago.

Running late for work one morning, turned the key in the ignition and nothing. Flat battery.

I charged the battery, drove to work, 12 hrs later turned the key and the battery was flat again. bought new battery and the scenario started all over again.

The problem was the boot light switch was faulty, when the boot was closed, the internal light stayed on.

I took it to a auto electrician and he found the problem for me in 5 minutes.

[MasterOfReality]

Yeah,

Check all internal lights.

My VP used to do this - flatten a battery in a matter of days.

Problem was a faulty terminal.

[buddah]

oh ok, I have a multi meter, which symbol should it be put on, i connected a multi meter to a battery years ago and it started smoking, cant remember what the dial what set on but i only use the volt part now. lol.

set it to 20 v -

[Youngblood]

ok, turned out to be the boot light switch....doh!
possibly found another problem last night, noticed even when the keys were removed from ignition the elec window switch lights stayed on and didnt turn off, get out, lock the car, still on, only turned off when i used the lock button on key head, my central locking doesnt work so i never use the buttons so this may have contributed to the power drain. thanks heaps for the advice guys, thats why just commodores is my number 1 car site, a wealth of information ready to be shared with those who need it. cheers

[Youngblood]

unlike holden who will say book it in, and charge you to remove a boot light rather than tell you to check it.

[buddah]

unlike holden who will say book it in, and charge you to remove a boot light rather than tell you to check it.

Did I mention that I accept paypal

[buddah]

thanks heaps for the advice guys, cheers

Your welcome mate

[Ozzie]

the window switch lights are connected to the ignition barrel light.

is the light in the ignition barrel still on when the window switch lights are on?

[VT SERIES II]

I had the same problem for months, if I left it for a couple of days without driving the battery was dead, after charging and a bit of a drive it would be fine until the next time I left it for two days without driving-

It turned out my stereo was draining the battery because it was faulty. I had a stacker which has since been replace....Problem fixed!