GU - Battery Draining Issue

[Yo_jono]

Good afternoon All.

I have a 99 GU DX Coil cab ute.
It was a TD42T, But now is a TD42 cause of the idiot that owned it before me. (Turbo kit awaiting install)

Anyway, Too the point of my Post.
Every time I go to start it, There is not enough power too crank, usually around 11.5 - 11.8 Volts.
If I throw the charger on, Fine! Starts easy. Alternator is working fine, Voltage goes up whilst running..
So, This leads me too the conclusion that something is draining the battery.

It is a new battery, Still doesn't mean its not stuffed.
I have Just removed the battery too see if it holds charge whilst Sitting in the Garage.

Any ideas as too what it could be providing the battery does hold charge? When I removed it, The Earth lead did touch the terminal intermittently and I could hear a relay switching, Is there a relay that is always on somewhere? Or could that be the problem.

Any help/comments Much appreciated!

Cheers
Jono

[raptorthumper]

Mine had the same issue in my GU TB45. It was the diodes in the alternator. They had partially failed and conducting current in the reverse direction. A multimeter on the battery terminal and selectively isolating stuff found the problem. New alternator and problem solved.


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[Kenny250]

If u have a multimeter u can see how many amps is been used will the car is turned of, then disconnect a item at a time to see what was using the power when everything was turned off,, it's not common for a alternator to drain power but I have seen it once or twice over 10years in the industrie, there will be a slight draw of power with everything turned off, radio memorie clock memorie ect.. But no more than 25 - 50 milliamps if it is more than there is something wrong, here is a few sites to help you



http://m.wikihow.com/Find-a-Parasitic-Battery-" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yFCT-YZbU5o" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

[Yo_jono]

Thanks for the Replies fellas!

Quick update.
I have had the battery out of the car since posting yesterday, I had the charger on up until about 9pm last night, Finishing voltage was 12.9 V, Charger was disconnected.
I have just gotten back to the battery, it is now at 12.5 V. Is 0.4 V over 10 hours acceptable with absolutely nothing connected to it? Or does this mean stuffed Battery?

Kenny - Cheers for the links. I am going to throw it back in now and go through a few of those tests.

Cheers
Jono

[Yo_jono]

Another quick Update.

I proceeded with the checks described in the Wikihow link, Was showing up as drawing 88 Milliamps, Wich as described is way too much.
So I started removing fuses in the under bonnet fuse box, And there you go! Removed a 'Big red 50 amp fuse' And it dropped down too 16 Milliamps (acceptable)

Now, Due too the wally that changed the motor being an idiot. Does anyone have a photo of the inside of that fuse box that explains what each one is so I can start working out what is drawing it? Or does anyone know of the top of there head what circuit that fuse controls?

Again, Any help much appreciated!

Cheers
Jono