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[OMEGA VXR]

Im getting sick & tired with this now ................Im having to keep an eye on my 2 month old battery (changed 2nd time at VX because of this problem,so i thought!) the car starts first time but only just,if I leave it for a couple of days then it wont start at all.
Because this is the second battery it can't be another dodgy one, so its got to be something drawing the current, but I don't know what, Ive done nothing to the electrics  :'(I did a test over the weekend battery read 11.53v  it does decrease slightly & on tickover 14.27v are these normal readings?also the green light on battery is very faint.

Please help, if I can't sort this Im getting rid  

Thanks

[gwa]

Is the alternator charging properly? I'd suspect that its not charging properly and the drain down is normal driving. Have Vx checked it?

[OMEGA VXR]

Is the alternator charging properly? I'd suspect that its not charging properly and the drain down is normal driving. Have Vx checked it?

The alternator had new brushes last year, plus the battery light on the dash goes straight out when started

[Kevin Wood]

14.2 volts running indicates the alternator is charging OK.

I'd say you have something draining the battery when it's parked, or simply that you got a duff battery.

Kevin

[OMEGA VXR]

14.2 volts running indicates the alternator is charging OK.

I'd say you have something draining the battery when it's parked, or simply that you got a duff battery.

Kevin

Is there anyway of testing for dodgy earths etc?

[unlucky alf]

i wouldnt take it for granted the alternator is o,k, sure its charging o,k but is the diode pack o,k, have come across this plenty of times, normally it shows when ignition is totally off by giving a feint glow on the ign light, not always visible in daylight but noticable more in the dark [obviously!], i would get another alternator & change it then go from there.

[RobG]

Check the alternator before replacing. Look here
http://www.omegaowners.com/forum/YaBB.pl?num=1153772945

[OMEGA VXR]

Check the alternator before replacing. Look here
http://www.omegaowners.com/forum/YaBB.pl?num=1153772945

The alternator has had a new brush unit last year.
Ive just gone out to my car and the reading is now 11.42v after 3 hrs non use, :-/

[Welung666]

I'd put money on it being the diode packs in the alternator. Go and get it tested properly

[unlucky alf]

exactly welung, the basic tests wont show it up & the fact its had new brushes is neither here nor there, the diodes allow power to run one way only, if they go o/c then it will drain the battery.

[OMEGA VXR]

exactly welung, the basic tests wont show it up & the fact its had new brushes is neither here nor there, the diodes allow power to run one way only, if they go o/c then it will drain the battery.

Are you saying new diodes/bushes then??

[Marks DTM Calib]

Lets stop the extreme talk of alternators and start with the basics...!

I ahev to say, I have never seen the diodes fail on these alternators although ahev seen the regs die and the bearings get noisey.

A few basics, you clearly have a reasonable current drain somehere and the measurements sudgest the battery is charging.

So, I assume all lights are turning off i.e. boot lights, interior light, kerb lights etc.....radio is turning off?

Next step would then be to pull fuses....

[OMEGA VXR]

Lets stop the extreme talk of alternators and start with the basics...!

I ahev to say, I have never seen the diodes fail on these alternators although ahev seen the regs die and the bearings get noisey.

A few basics, you clearly have a reasonable current drain somehere and the measurements sudgest the battery is charging.

So, I assume all lights are turning off i.e. boot lights, interior light, kerb lights etc.....radio is turning off?

Next step would then be to pull fuses....

Thanks Mark

 Bit of a dim question   how do I go about pulling fuses? what do I look for? I apoligise for the dimness

[unlucky alf]

sorry mark, i was assuming the obvious had been checked & dont forget im the poor sod that had a g/box ecu fail which apparently never go , im just going on past experiences with unexplained battery drain & 9 times out of 10 it ended up being the alternator diode pack, dont suppose its easy to check for continuity with it still in the car, oh well lets hope it is something basic  

[Marks DTM Calib]

Thing is, if it was the diode pack then the peek charge voltage and current would be lower....

I agree, on the older style alternators (Lucas) fitted to others makes then yes, the diode packs used to be problematic, these ones however are a differnt beast.

The thing is, diangnostics are agin the key to finding the fault and there is not enough compelted yet to say its any particular one thing.

The fuses however are a nice easy thing to do (under the steering wheel in the fuse box) with idealy the battery current being monitored.

And again, the lighting is eay to check and hence, lets get the easy stuff out the way first