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[JohnM]

Hi.

Victor Meldrew moment for me; flat battery the other day - needed a fast charge to get going (had been idle for 9-days but warm(ish) and dry in the garage.  Restarted from my desination some 6 hours later okay.

Today I've set about finding out why and have some worrying current drains going on, but firstly; the battery is not holding charge (hardly at all) 14.3v running down to 13.2v within minutes of switching off (struggled to restart engine) and I need to replace it.  Does anyone know how much a Go GM72-H3 (as on it now) or similar is for me to pick up on Friday??  Does anyone have a good (enough) spare nearby (Newark) or towards Bradford from Newark?

I'll change the battery but will I still be left with an issue - the current drain as measured is now about 150mA (settled).  If I remove *both* #1 and #2 big 80A fuses (pre-facelift) and then replace them it drops to c.20mA (I'm fine with that - should I be okay with 150mA?).

I've also got a lot hanging off the +ve terminal.  Main cable (black)(solenoid?) and another short red to the maxi-fuses (6 but only 5 used). And also some tapped onto the smaller screw - a black (is/was this the alarm sounder? it doesn't appear to take current at all) plus two added reds each with an in-line fuse (2x 15A).  One of these two draws about 160mA after 8 seconds reconnected - I wondered if these were for the towbar electrics but the main trailer lights appear to work (inc. buzzer) without this.

I went through the cabin fuses and replays to find the drain but nothing obvious.  My fuse17 does odd things when pulled but if I remove the larger fan fuse it drops to zero.  Eberything else appears to work as expected - my rear power plug goes off with the ignition (I think that's right for a pre-FL).  The engine bay relays I can't work out - the release tab seems to free the mounting complete with loom - do you ease it all up to release the relay module or maybe release them all together ?  (eek).

Photos to follow but firstly a need some electrons.

P.S. The battery dot indicator is actually green - does this work?

[JohnM]

This is a forum car - mod'd but know of nothing untoward.

[Andy B]

the two red cables fitted to the positive .... fuses pulled .... weren't fitted by GM - trailer/caravan maybe? 

relays just unplug ..... if they've not been removed for 10 years they'll need a good wriggling to remove them.

the green indicator is only good for the cell it's looking at 

[Nick W]

The best thing to do with the green battery condition indicator is to stick some insulating tape over it. Then you won't be able to pretend that it does anything useful. A proper battery drop test is required. A fully charged battery is only going to show about 12.7 volts with the engine off. Your figures are perfectly normal, the 14volts is from the alternator. What you report are typical battery failure symptoms.

Buying a Vauxhall battery is only really worthwhile if you can get one at a good price with no buggering about.  Others are available easily and cheaply.

[Bigron]

Most branches of Halfords and indeed larger garages will test your battery (cold-starting capability, etc) and alternator free of charge, giving you a print-out usually as well.
There are many online companies that will deliver free the bext working day: one that I have used and had good service from is:-
https://carbatteries-online.co.uk/?gclid=CLf36ov22M8CFUETGwodc8kAbQ

Ron.

[omega2018]

worthwhile having a battery drop tester only £16 delivered
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/251421743242

[JohnM]

Many thanks Gents.
New battery picked up and fitted this morning and seems normal service resumed - no green dot on this one.

I've left the suspected trailer leads with their fuses out until I can investigate further - I expect I'll find a hidden split- charge unit somewhere that fooled me as I had the battery charger on at the time (> 13.8v).
The other "drains" I'll consider normal until they raise their head again.

- Here is trusting to a trouble free start tomorrow (Sat).

[TheBoy]

I paid £39 plus vat for a 74Ahr battery, delivered from dealer. Can't argue with that

[JohnM]

Grrr.


Unfortunately I was in urgent need.
- still well in two figures though !

[Andy B]

Grrr.


Unfortunately I was in urgent need.
- still well in two figures though !

If it makes you feel any better I've just paid £125 for a battery for my car

[driver115]

took advantage of a europarts discount for a new battery, circa £40, when mine died, partly due I reckon to me connecting one of those solar trickle chargers which helped in the short term but may have led(sorry no pun intended) to its final demise