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Lotus Europa Forums => Off Topic Subjects => Topic started by: dakazman on Tuesday,January 31, 2023, 02:49:45 PM

Title: Battery drain
Post by: dakazman on Tuesday,January 31, 2023, 02:49:45 PM
  Not Lotus related first of all. Its my 2000 Hyundai Tiberon.
   I just replaced my 7 year old battery because the car did not start , first ever problem with a battery.
 replaced battery and everything honky dory. 4 days later  - no start
 checked amp draw of every fuse nothing to speak of found documented the voltage drop daily .20 volt drop a day.  getting tired of pulling 1 fuse at a time and leaving them out so after8 day i ran the engine and charged up the battery 13.19 volts.  then washed the car, it was still early so i decided to check the voltage before the night time and after sitting 2 hours.  :headbanger: 8.07 volts  thinking about it, the battery was dead after are rare rain storms.   I do have a problem with squirrels lately making a home in the engine compartments All the fuses our out of the interior fuse panel and only five more under hood plus all the relays. I have not pulled any of relays.
They also didn't get wet.
  This is driving me crazy.
Dakazman
Title: Re: Battery drain
Post by: Richard48Y on Tuesday,January 31, 2023, 11:19:20 PM
Twenty-three year old ECM car?
Out of warranty with a problem means it is scrap. 
Too new to be an easy fix and too old to have any value while still being too new to have any value.  ::)
In the morning I get to replace all the O2 sensors in my scrap T-Bird in an effort to cure the engine stumble.  >:(
Not optimistic.
Title: Re: Battery drain
Post by: Rainer on Tuesday,January 31, 2023, 11:46:47 PM
This could be a bad diode in your alternator, had this several times and these can draw up to 5 amps.
Connect the ampmeter between battery minus and ground check for draw, disconnect the alternator and check again.
As a rule of thumb up to 25mA after some waiting time is ok. Checked a 2013 Tiguan yesterday and it got down to 12mA in about 10 minutes.
Also flooded towing connections are a problem at least our europe style types.

Regards Rainer
Title: Re: Battery drain
Post by: dakazman on Sunday,February 05, 2023, 06:29:37 PM
 Rainer, You nailed it.
  Took your tip and disconnected the positive term of the Alternator , watched for the drop in battery voltage…, next to nothing 12.45 to 12.43 in about 12 hours. I’ll find the schematic and see exactly where I split the system. I couldn’t get the excitation plug out.
  Being attacked by wasps and a creeping jack I elected to put it off for another day.
  With 260,000 miles on the alternator it may be time to replace. I keep you posted.
Dakazman
Title: Re: Battery drain
Post by: EuropaTC on Sunday,February 05, 2023, 11:30:15 PM
  With 260,000 miles on the alternator it may be time to replace.

that's the trouble these days, nothing is made to last.....    ;)
Title: Re: Battery drain
Post by: dakazman on Monday,February 06, 2023, 01:19:38 PM
  After ordering one I decided to pull the old one. Found the real problem 😡 , see pictures…the new alternator will be here in 4 days .
   The Hyundai has been an exceptional vehicle as far as reliability. The 10 year warranty was great also.
Dakazman
 
Title: Re: Battery drain
Post by: dakazman on Monday,February 06, 2023, 04:10:17 PM
 I wonder if this tickled just a bit ?  Found my terminals, now for wires, heat shrink and new conduit.
  Sorry , Squirrel damage found !🐿️🐿️🐿️
Dakazman
Title: Re: Battery drain
Post by: dakazman on Friday,February 10, 2023, 03:28:58 PM
  Repairs to all the wires completed and with my new alternator arrived I completed the reinstall. Changed the oil while I was down there laying on my back . It’s still on hackstands because I ordered the engine splash panels because they were crumpling with any movement.
  I added a double layer of shielding to deter the vermin.

Dakazman




Title: Re: Battery drain
Post by: dakazman on Saturday,February 11, 2023, 10:24:17 AM
  I took care of the problem this morning. Moment of silence please. Too graphic for posting.
 
   Slash guards show up so that job is done and coming off jacks .
Title: Re: Battery drain
Post by: dakazman on Monday,February 13, 2023, 09:11:04 AM
  All good with my cars battery drain. Now I get to go back in the attic to lay insulation. 😥
The good thing is now my friend keeps showing up for another meal. 
Dakazman