Battery losing charge

[Heronwood]

HI,

I recently had my series 2 rewired with a new loom.

I have always been in the habit of disconnecting the battery every time with a fear of fire.

I have stopped doing this since the rewire and it seems to be losing its charge after a few days. when I jump start it and drive it for a while it seems to charge it as when i go to start it it turns over fast. it is after it has been left for a couple of days it goes flat.

Anyone have any idea why this is? its like something is gradually draining the battery , although i have no lights on or any other things switched on.


Mike

[bmcecosse]

If you disconnect - does it hold charge ok? If it has an alternator - it could be draining... Do you have a voltmeter connected?

[Heronwood]

HI

I have not tried to disconnect although i did disconnect roar a while after i rewired but have only started disconnecting also I put a voltmeter on the battery when it was running and it was charging at 16 volts? this seems high?

[katy]

Could be a poor battery. How old is the battery?
A simple check is, after driving the car disconnect the battery. Leave the car sit for 2 or 3 days. Reconnect the battery and see if it starts. If the battery is good it will start right up. If the battery is getting weak it won't start.
If the car starts up after sitting w/battery disconnected for a few days then you have to find whats draining the battery.
Do you have any modern electronics in the car? They always draw a bit to keep the memory alive.

[Heronwood]

HI

Nothing electronic at all

Just all original gauges. what else could it be if it is still draining? how do I see what is draining it

[Heronwood]

It is an old battery maybe it needs some distilled water? its of that type

[bmcecosse]

Charging at 16 volts will be because the battery is flat.... you don't say if an alternator? Take the main lead off - wait a few seconds - then touch it back to the battery - do you see a tiny spark ?

[Heronwood]

I have a dynamo not an alternator

[Heronwood]

HI when you say take the main lead off do you mean the positive (earth) or the negative wire

[bmcecosse]

Well - as long as the red light is not glowing when you switch off - it will not be draining the battery. I assume the red light is working as normal ? ie Goes on when you switch on, and goes off when you start the engine.... I guess it's new battery time - but do try disconnecting after a good run - then reconnect next day and see if it starts easily. Either lead will do !

[Heronwood]

HI


Thats the other problem , the guy who did the rewire broke the red light! it used to work.
I have to get a new one and have it wired in

Would it drain if there was a short circuit somewhere

[bmcecosse]

Ah well - so you don't know if the dynamo is disconnecting.....I wish you had made all the facts known at the start.... Disconnect the battery till you fix the light.... Is it just the bulb? If so - borrow one from the speedo illuminating lamps.

[Heronwood]

Not just the bulb he broke the holder I am struggling to find a replacement

[Heronwood]

It was all ok before he rewired it

Could he have wired up something wrong that would make the dynamo not disconnect.

Something else the starter will work when i pull out the starter know even with the ignition key in the off position. it does not start though until you put the key in the on position is this normal?

[bmcecosse]

Have to agree - I don't see one either at the usual sources... Post a wanted add ?

[kennatt]

don't think the starter pull is wired through the switch so yes should spin engine in off position,I'll check mine when I go out to the garage.But someone will be along shortly to confirm or otherwise.

[Trickydicky]

It was all ok before he rewired it

Could he have wired up something wrong that would make the dynamo not disconnect.

Something else the starter will work when i pull out the starter know even with the ignition key in the off position. it does not start though until you put the key in the on position is this normal?

Yes it will operate the starter.

[bmcecosse]

Yes - it could easily be wired incorrectly so the dynamo doesn't disconnect - but you NEED that red light to tell you.... He broke it - (how??) he must replace it.... Did it come with the new harness ? Is there one you can cut off the old harness? just how 'broken' is it? Lost a few claws - or smashed to bits ??

[Heronwood]

He bended up breaking the holder getting it out,

I might go to marpin to see if i can find something similar but volts must be 2.5?

[Boomlander]

Yes, the bulb itself is 2.5 volts.