Omega Owners Forum

Omega Help Area => Omega Electrical and Audio Help => Topic started by: phil her up on 23 May 2008, 22:08:13

Title: Battery drain fault
Post by: phil her up on 23 May 2008, 22:08:13

My old omega ( which I sold to a mate) has developed a battery drain fault, when I swopped the battery for another one I noticed it arced when I reconnected, with the ignition off surely no power should be going anywhere. The charging light goes off when the engine starts, I know sometimes a relay can be faulty leaving accesories connected when the  ignition switch is off, has anyone else come across this fault ? any help will be much appreciated  ;)

Title: Re: Battery drain fault
Post by: Entwood on 23 May 2008, 22:13:59

Common reason for this happening is the door/boot left open ???

Courtesy lights are then powered so cause a spark on connection :)

There is also a small current going to the alarm/immobilisor ar all times ... the part that will set the alarm off if you disconnect the battery wrongly...

So several circuits are live with the ignition off  :)

Title: Re: Battery drain fault
Post by: Dave DND on 24 May 2008, 09:10:17

Also worth checking that your mate hasn`t put an aftermarket stereo in it, and wired it up wrong?

Title: Re: Battery drain fault
Post by: Taxi_Driver on 25 May 2008, 11:32:34

Worth checking the battery voltage with the engine revving @ 2k - 3k

Should be around 14v.....

Alternator may not be giving the battery enough of a charge.......
Theres a maintenance guide on howto overhaul the alternator if this is the case  :y

Title: Re: Battery drain fault
Post by: Ian_D on 26 May 2008, 00:19:33

Every modern car will spark and crackle as you connect the battery terminals.

In cars (Esp the Omega) there’s lots of electrical gizmos (Alarm, Radio, ECU, Clocks and  Central locking ECU are a few that spring to mind) will all have capacitors in them which will instantly charge up when you connect the wire and thus create the spark as a rush of power goes into them!

If you think something is up, get a multimeter and check if there’s much drawing power from the battery... You will need to put the meter in series with the battery (Best to remove the -ve on the battery, and then hold one wire from the meter on the battery -ve, and the other on the battery wire -ve)

NOTE: Dont turn any high power electrical items on in the car... especially the Starter Motor, as you will melt the multimeter!

The reading after the initial peak should be next to nothing (ie 0.05 amps)