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battery going dead
Posted: Mon Mar 24, 2014 5:13 pm
by kartboy
My first annoying little problem with the sj. If I leave the car say a week without starting it the battery is dead it is a brand new battery so I know that is not the issue. I tested the current it draws when turned off and it was showing 0.18 amps now to me that doesn't seem a lot but could this be my cause?? Cheers
Re: battery going dead
Posted: Mon Mar 24, 2014 5:46 pm
by twiss
test you battery voltage and see if it drops on the meter... ive had a dying battery like that, even with nothing connected the voltage dropped and dropped to nothing
Re: battery going dead
Posted: Mon Mar 24, 2014 6:19 pm
by kiwizook
this will definitely be the cause, as 0.18 amps 24 hours a day adds up to a lot of power used up. see if you can go through the fuse box with an ammeter, to single it out to a particular circuit. might also pay to disconnect the dim dip unit, as these are known to cause a lot of trouble, and the car works fine without it
Re: battery going dead
Posted: Mon Mar 24, 2014 7:25 pm
by kartboy
Thanks for the help what is the dim dip unit??
Re: battery going dead
Posted: Mon Mar 24, 2014 10:24 pm
by twiss
Its a little box usually attached to the wall of the passenger footwell...
Required on all SJs made in spain due to spanish regulations that require the headlights to come on dim with the sidelights
Re: battery going dead
Posted: Tue Mar 25, 2014 7:53 am
by Anton
0.18a current draw is 4.32ah per day. Most "normal" SJs have around a 35-45ah battery, so a week seems to be about right to suck it dry.
Do you have an alarm or immobiliser fitted? Aftermarket stereo? CB radio? Popcorn maker?
Hope you find the cause. I would fit a kill switch if it were me and I couldn't find the cause - essentially disconnect the battery every time you get out of the truck.
Re: battery going dead
Posted: Tue Mar 25, 2014 8:07 am
by ROBBIE
I had a spot light as a reversing light that had water in it, and that used to kill the battery
Re: battery going dead
Posted: Tue Mar 25, 2014 10:24 am
by kartboy
It has a few random wire s going to the battery and some spot lights on the front with abit of water in them so I will be taking them.all off and test them 1 by 1 will let you know what I find
Re: battery going dead
Posted: Tue Mar 25, 2014 10:26 am
by twiss
Anton wrote:Do you have an alarm or immobiliser fitted? Aftermarket stereo? CB radio? Popcorn maker?
That would be epic
I found a 400w electric slow cooker yesterday... was considering mounting it in the back of the zook haha. I could drive to wagtail and have a nice stew ready when I get there
Re: battery going dead
Posted: Tue Mar 25, 2014 5:35 pm
by kartboy
Sorted was the dip dim unit thanks for the help much appreciated now shows nothing is being drawn when turned off