Random battery dead flat.

[mitch92]

Nismo4x4, How have you gotten on?

 

[dfgeorge]

Just had my battery go dead twice so thought I would do some reseach before replacing the battery (to save damaging a new one). Thought I would share incase it helps someone else.

The manual (starting and charging - dark current) states that the current drain with the key off should be less than 50mA after half an hour.

I put an ameter in series with the battery. The current started at about 0.5A when I connected it, and fairly quickly dropped to around 150mA. After about half an hour the current dropped to 20-30mA (was still 150mA at 20 mins) and seemed to stay there.

I repeated but this time switched the ignition on then off before testing, same result.

Dave

 

[Old.Tony]

If the current draw is that minimal over time, you'd have to expect the battery has a problem. What is the voltage across the battery terminals in the morning?

 

[dfgeorge]

it was 11.2V this morning, wouldnt turn the car over. It was about 12.5V last night after I had taken it for a run (had to bump start it).

I brought a new battery today, hopeing it is good in the morning

 

[Scottar]

just out of interest, are you removing the key from the ignition?? The wife got caught out with her camry when we first got it - left the key in the ignition overnight (in the off position). Turns out there is a microswitch inside the ignition barrel that activates the computer as soon as the key goes in - before you turn it. Battery went flat in 12 hours.

 

[dfgeorge]

Key was not in the ignition. good to know though as I have left keys in cars overnight.

Car was good this morning so was hopfully just a dead battery.

dave