Re: [alfa] QV Battery Drain

["skippatnode" <skippatnode@xxxxxxx>]

Steve,
    I would try a couple of things to try to isolate your power loss.
    Disconnect the battery and give it a good charge then leave it
disconnected to see if it will maintain. If it goes dead without being
connected to the car, you have a battery problem.
    Once the battery has been proved OK, check the charging system.  It should
maintain 13.5 to 14.5 V. at the battery with the engine running.
    When the charging system has proven OK, then continue on with you load
isolating, fuse pulling process.  I have heard that others have discovered the
time delay relay that shuts the interior lights off has a tendency to appear
to work correctly and shuts the interior lights off but continues to draw
current and sucks the battery dry.  Happy Hunting.
Skip Patnode
67 Duetto
Norfolk, Va
Try an aspirin before resorting to brain surgery

Date: Sun, 21 Dec 2003 10:38:30 -0800 (PST)
From: Steve & Zita Waclo <z_waclo@domain.elided>
Subject: [alfa] QV Battery Drain

Hello:

>snip< Have been lurking in the shadows since joining the
group but thought it may be time to stop bugging Bob
Rand all the time and tap into the collective
consciousness. Appears to be a wealth of knowledge and
information available.

Just obtained an '87 QV a few weeks back and the issue
of the day involves a battery that won't hold a charge
more than about 10 days. It was installed 9/03. The
weather is a bit nasty and I'm waiting for some parts
and have been doing a lot of cleaning and inspecting,
so the car has not been getting much run time. During
infrequent road trips, the voltmeter takes a "key on"
set at about 12 volts, then rises to perhaps 13V when
the engine starts. When I re-charged the battery
yesterday (and checked electrolyte levels - one cell
needed distilled water) >snip<

Thanks in advance for any ideas.

Steve Waclo
Carson City, NV
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