Accord VTEC-S 1999 - Random fast battery drain?

[Herman Toothrot]

I wondered if anyone knows of any particular problem with the electrics that could cause a sudden total battery drain? The Mrs used the car last night and it was perfect, started immediately etc, no problems. Came to use it this morning and 100% dead, she opened it on the key and said 1st thing she looked at was the stalks and she hadn't left the lights on etc.

I'll get the multimeter on it tonight to cheack the alternator & battery.

[Herman Toothrot]

Had a look tonight, battery was totally dead, put it on to charge. Popped an old one I had ling around in to see ifI could find any issue, it was too flat to start the car but the brake lights came on, they only went off after I tapped the brake pedl a coupe of times so it appears it had a sticky barke light switch. However thinking about it now, even if it was sticky, they should stil have gone off and caused no issue once the key was removed?

[lala_1981]

hi could it be the alternator or the belts slack if so ur just driving off the battery it will soon go flat

[Herman Toothrot]

lala_1981 said:

hi could it be the alternator or the belts slack if so ur just driving off the battery it will soon go flat

It was the brake lights, they function regardless of key in ignition or not. We were parking up, lights off (definately we were checking) then an hour or so later they'd randomly come on and drain the battery. I looked at the switch on the pedal, basically its a push to turn off switch, so foot on pedal lifts leaver off switch and lights come on, I moved the switch in so you really have to move the pedal a few mm for the lights to operate oppose just brush the pedal. Problem solved.

[gixerdave1983]

The brake lights are not governed by the ignition key on your model of car and will stay on.