That Draining Feeling

[Dodgy Dave]

Bit of a million dollar question but you never know!!!
I have a 95 SPI Cooper that main goal is to drain my battery of every bit of juice in it.
If I drive it every day I'm ok but If I leave it for more than a day then there's not even enough to turn the engine slowly, it just clicks at me!!
Any ideas?
I HATE electrics!!!!

>>> Edited by Dodgy Dave on Friday 24th October 10:09

[Buzzin' Hornet]

Sounds to me like your battery is knackered.

[Dodgy Dave]

Yeah I am going to get another one but that one is farly new as it was a replacment for my old one with the same symptoms,
this is a problem that seems to have been getting graduly worse over the last year and a half

[Paul V]

I have a friend with exactly the same problem, he has a new battery and alternator but still the battery drains if left for more than a couple of days.

Can’t help saying what it is but if he finds it I’ll let you know.

[Dodgy Dave]

Mini's are a real love hate thing.
I loved mine again the other day
Now I hate the damn thing again!!!!!!!!!
I'd still never buy a new car though

[Madmini]

Sounds like there is a constant drain on the battery otherwise. Check that the battery lead insulation is OK - the one that runs from the boot all the way under the car. I have heard of them melting on the exhaust and shorting out! Worth a try.

[Dodgy Dave]

Def worth a try, hadnt thought of that!
I'll be under there tomorrow
Thanks Madmini

[Paul V]

That is possible but will cause a massive drain on power, more likely to be down to something malfunctioning like the alarm.

[Chuggaboom]

Had this years ago...found to be the alternator causing a steady 10 ma drain on the battery even with everything off.

Borrow an ammeter...undo the earth...pull all fuses...reconnect earth with ammeter...push back in fuses 1 by 1...that should narrow down the search.

[Dodgy Dave]

Chuggaboom
What will I be looking for when re-connecting the fuses?
I dont know much about electrics!

[annodomini2]

sounds like the balance capacitor on the the alternator

[Chuggaboom]

OK...so have got everything switched off...with ammeter in place between battery and car earth and no fuses in...SURELY ??? there must be a zero reading.

Switch to lowest scale on ammeter...push a fuse in and see if there is a reading...if not...take it out and try the next.

Of course none of this is much use to u if u don't have a wiring diagram....which u a haynes manual should have !...mine is long b4 your car age !

[Dodgy Dave]

Cheers Chugaboom
I have the manual and will try that.