New battery and drained in an hour

New battery on this morning - type 664 110amp, well pleased - for an hour as when I got back to the car it would not turn over. Started immediately on a jump start so I'm thinking is the alternator goosed.

Not getting any warning messages or lights in the cabin. When it drains there are no dash lights when i turn the key. Sad again

Disconnected the negative terminal now to stop it draining so will see if that works although i can't lock the car now and my mechanic can't look at it until next Thursday. Great!

So now in 2 weeks ownership I've had a collapsed wheel bearing, O2 sensor, LPG conversion, new battery and now maybe an alternator. This car is cleaning me out quick....

Just noticed that the negative lead to the battery has about 1/2 inch exposed cable between the plastic coating and the clamp as though it's been stretched and pulled back. Could this be linked to my problem?

Goodfella said:

Just noticed that the negative lead to the battery has about 1/2 inch exposed cable between the plastic coating and the clamp as though it's been stretched and pulled back. Could this be linked to my problem?

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Can't see why it should - unless the cable has snapped inside the insulation coating.

Are you sure the battery is drained, or is it simply that the terminals aren't connecting?

Pete

I would be looking closely at all the earth points and connections especially at the bottom of the fuse box. I doubt the battery drained in an hour. A few simple check with a meter will give you some answers.

The cable looks intact inside and sadly i don't know where to start with checking earthing point etc so I'll have to bite the bullet and see if I can get an auto elec to look at this weekend. Don't want to leave until next week really.

If i did have an earth problem would that be removed by jump starting from another car, hence why it starts perfectly on a jump?

No.

But I once had a car where the cable clamps weren't connecting with the battery terminals though they seemed OK from a casual inspection - IIRC a whack with a hammer sorted it! :5bsmash::5bsmash:

Pete

i would be looking at the lead to starter motor..

Pattern seems to be that it will start on its own within 30 mins or so but leave it longer than an hour and it won't.

Got a guy coming to have a quick test of a few things later so I'll mention all your suggestions but he'll only have time to possibly diagnose, will have to ring someone else for the fix.

have you got the newer rf reciever fitted?

I Wouldn't know about the rf receiver, is there a way to check?

Goodfella said:

I Wouldn't know about the rf receiver, is there a way to check?

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is this happening parked up your path at home? or is this anywhere you park?

To drain so quick means a massive draw; as J says lead to starter is prolly favourite, if not check main fuse box under the bonnet for signs of corrosion/burning - another fairly common issue.
RF unit is known (to my own displeasure) often to cause drain, but no way in an hour!

A664 Battery is (nom) a 110Ah rated battery, so to drain in an hour, it would need to have a 110Amp load across it - thats a bit heavy, to say the least!
Get the Alternator checked as well.

Well the electrician has just been and the car started fine once i put the negative lead on. battery is showing 12.71 volts when cold and 14. 5 i think when running. When locked up and the alarm set it was reading only 0.6 amp drain he said and all that is perfect. So not the alternator or the connections or the earths.

He's advised me to fully charge it overnight and then leave it all day to see if the power is draining away or not, so i'll do that and see what happens.

I have just had similar experience with 0.6a drain. This is too high it should be 0.03a. I found based on another thread that the alternator is at fault.
If one of the diodes is blown it will allow the drain. If you disconnect the cable (that comes along the side of the engine from the starter/alternator) from the pos terminal I expect it will stop the drain.
You can get the alternator rebuit to replace the diode pack.
However I chose an alternative fix for now:
I've taken that cable from the starter and fed it into the cabin where I fitted a battery isolator switch (heavy duty) I then ran another cable from the switch out to the battery +. This switch can be mounted on the panel below the steering. All you have to do is remember to switch off when leaving it for a few hours. With this set up everything else gets power but the drain is eliminated.

If that is the fix then shoot me now! :mil36: :hysterically_laughi

I can just about wire a plug!

Been reading about rf receivers on here for the last hour. I need a glass of Jamiesons now or two or three.

if you cannot take the wire off your rf box bring it over i will do it for you..

Funny i'm hoping that is within my capabilities

j the range said:

if you cannot take the wire off your rf box bring it over i will do it for you..

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Top man J...

sorry not funny was a kind offer..[goodluck]