Classic Battery drain?

I've read the forums on the RF changes on P38's that stops battery drain for the car when left standing but I can't find an answer on a classic.

My car is a 95 Soft Dash LSE and the battery charge only lasts for 2 days if the car is not being used. I put a meter on the car today and it draws a 0.5 volt rate when turned off and locked. Where on earth is that coming from?
The alarm module failed today and I thought that that might have been the problem, however with that removed the drain still showed up at o.5 volts.

The only way to stop the discharge is to take out the main fuse on the car in the engine bay.

Its booked in to see an auto electrician next week however I don't want to be given a £250 bill to be told they can't find anything.

Suggestions would be greatfully received.

C

I don't think the classic is affected by th Rf problem as badly as the P38. At least mine wasn't anyway, parked where I park the P38 which is affected by my remote weather station.
You might just check the under bonnet light, this gave trouble on my old RRC. Remember these are earth switched.

Could be a faulty alternator. Is it warm when vehicle unused?? Or can you hear a high pitched noise??

2nd suggestion:

Take out each fuse 1 by 1 and see if the current draw drops. Then look at the associated circuit.

Good luck matey.

Regards,

Steve

Don't know how much it would be a drain but your clock could be the source. As suggested could be ALT also as mine needed all the leads and connections clean and packed with petroleum jelly and all was fine again.

If your battery isn't getting a FULL charge to bring it back up then it needs one as running the car wont be enough.

I've had thye alternater tested and it charges perfectly. I do around 200 miles per day in the car so it is fully charged when parked up. It has a new battery and all the leads have been replaced on the battery and the alternator.

I think the suggestion of taking out every fuse individualy is going to be the solution.

I made a mistake on my earlier post the car is drawing 0.5 amps not 0.5 volts.

Would a clock draw 0.5 amps?!

Thanks for all your help so far

c

Someone will surely be along to confirm this.

Not sure myself.

Good Luck

DC

Clarence the cross eyed lion said:

Would a clock draw 0.5 amps?!
c

Click to expand...

are you really asking that ?

Clarence the cross eyed lion said:

Would a clock draw 0.5 amps?!

Click to expand...

Shouldn't do on its own. Draw should be about 0.3a max with vehicle locked and alarm set.

0.5a would drain a 70ah battery in 140 hours. To drain overnight you must have a larger drain such as above 5amps.

Yes you are right, it normally takes two days to drain the battery, probably compounded by the use of wipers, heater and lights no doubt!

Cheers C

SpudH said:

You might just check the under bonnet light, this gave trouble on my old RRC. Remember these are earth switched.

Click to expand...

I had this on my previous RRC as well. It was a bit tricky to spot. The light came on also erratically during nights without being noticed and drained the battery in two or so days. The base of the switch was corroded and the light wasn't switched off (and on) every time I closed or opened the bonnet. It took me couple of months to solve on my own. One night I spotted a glow under the car and understood what was going on.

Any luck on finding the problem?

I've given up its going into the auto electrician next week. I'm sure its something silly, it normally is.

Just came across another classic draining its battery and it was the AC compressor clutch relay that was causing the problem. The relay was shorted out activating the clutch servo even when the ignition was switched off.
What did yours turn out to be?