Help! keeps running out

Tesco · 14 May 2006 at 10:43

Hey all, I have a problem where my battery keeps going flat after in a short space of time. If I dont use the car for a week then the battery goes flat. I can tell it gets weaker by the day when im using the car. Im thinking its got something to do with my car audio. I have 3 amps, a 450w, 240w & a 200w. Is there any way to check myself that im not loosing power through these when the car is not in use? Maybe its the head unit thats at fault...is there any way of checking myself?

Is there any place I can take my car to get checked out thats not going to cost a small fortune?

I have had the battery checked out and its fine. I have had to charge my battery up three times now.

Thanks.

Lopéz · 14 May 2006 at 10:48

If it isn't the battery, it may be your alternator or possibly the earth/terminals.

Any good autoelectrician should be able to do an alternator test for you and it shouldn't cost too much to do so.

4T5 · 14 May 2006 at 10:48

Your boot light is staying on or your glove box light is staying on when closed.
To check slide back the partition in your rear seats and look see.
That's my guess but either way something is odviously draining the power.

And Yes the boot light is enouth to flatten a battery when on all the time a car is not genrating power.

Tesco · 14 May 2006 at 10:51

Thanks Lopez + Malc30, never thought it could be a light staying on...will check later. If its not one of these I will get the alternator checked.

Many thanks for the advice.

Tesco · 14 May 2006 at 11:10

I have been out and checked and its not any lights being left/stuck on.

djbenjo · 14 May 2006 at 11:45

Could be a dud battery, alty or a leak somewhere. I'd take it to my nearest autoelectrician

4T5 · 14 May 2006 at 11:51

Check the sticker on the battery to see how old it is it may have seen better days. Also check the water levels in the Battery topping up with distilled water if needed. Check the battery terminals and make sure they are tight.

There is a piece of equipment that checks if there is power being drawn from the system but it's far to proper for me to know the name of it.
Be aware that auto electricians are ridiculously erxpensive before you start calling them out.

A test for your alternator is to have it on tick over and turn everything electrical on to max. A red light should appear on the dash if its not giving out enouth power.

Also who fitted the Ice.

icyshore · 14 May 2006 at 11:55

Are your amps being switched off when not in use ?

I would also suggest that you get a higher output alternator as most cars only have 55A ones and your amps are drawing 75A at full power. A lot of people invest in 2 batterys and a split charging system with that sort of audio setup.