Flat battery and electrical drain....HELP!

[CJA318T]

Hi guys,

need some help!

2001 A3 1.8T Sport

Last week tried to start car in morning but no go as battery flat. Jump started to get going. This problem happened the next day too. Had the car professionally checked and battery and alternator are fine, but there is a 2amp drain on the battery when the ignition is off.

Is this a common fault? is there anyway of easily telling what the problem is or is it a needle in a haystack situation?

really desperate now guys as if it has to go to a garage/electrical specialist/audi stealer it's off warranty and could cost me an arm and a leg!

thanks in advance

Chris

 

[steebo888]

hi

have you installed any new electrical things i.e sub, amp, new stereo etc or anything plugged in lighter socket?

 

[CJA318T]

hi,

i haven't installed anything new....all as standard. It just started playing up last week when we had a very cold morning.

chris

 

[steebo888]

if nothings been installed and the battery and alternator are fine then possibly a faulty/loose connection somewhere

 

[marms]

Might be worth pulling fuses while you monitor the 2 amp drain with ignition off. When the drain is significantly lowered by pulling a fuse at least you will have a general idea of where the problem lies? Could be a sticking relay I suppose?

 

[steve1975l]

I used this guy when I had a short on the wash wipe circuit. He found it to be a squashed wire by an engine mount. I got him to fit the cruise control as well. He goes wherever the work is and his rates are good.

http://www.vwcruise.com/index.html

 

[shineydave]

doubt if it's a faulty or loose connection as both of those would stop current flowing not increase it. Marms is spot on, connecting a multi meter in series with the battery lead and pulling fuses one at a time is the only sure way of testing the system.

i'm putting my money on either the dash pod or the radio as i've heard of current drain issues with both of these previously.

you need a multi meter with the abillity to measure amps, even a cheapy from the likes of maplins or b&q should have the facillity on it, just make sure you follow the instructions for connecting it up to the letter

 

[HOUCH]

Anyone on here know if the rubbish Audi alarm siren has back up battery in it? Its just that had same sudden problem with other halfs 4x4 fitted with cat 1 alarm. Fine one day next day battery completly flat charged battery tested alternator and battery were fine put meter on found really small drain, disconnected siren problem solved, just got to replace rechargable battery.

 

[shineydave]

yup it has a nicad in it, there's loads of posts on here about changing the batteries or the alarm itself

 

[jojo]

yup it has a nicad in it, there's loads of posts on here about changing the batteries or the alarm itself

And most of them recommend replacing the whole siren!

 

[shineydave]

yup, i've tried to do a couple but usually the batteries have leaked acid over the board destroying it