Starting my V8s

[apv]

I seem to have a power drain from my battery.
I tend to only use the car at weekends in the last 3 weeks have had to jump start the car at least 3 times. I have tried disconnecting the alarm as someone told my that the trick feed from this maybe causing the power loss. Unfortunatly this hasn't seemed to of helped. Any idea what maybe causing the problem. The situation got worse this morning went to start the car only 13amps, not even enough power to allow me to open the boot. Please can someone advise if there is a manual overide in situations like these.?

[andyf007]

I know of one occasion when a faulty alternator diode pack caused this, but it seems unlikely. I would start by getting the battery checked out. If it has been allowed to go fully flat a few times, then it will never be as good at holding it's charge again and will flatten very easily. You could try a "quick" test yourself by disconnecting the battery for a week and seeing how much is left when you reconnect. If it's not lost anything then there is a drain in the car electrics. If it's lost charge, then the battery is duff.

Andy

[peter m]

If you have a ampmeter, check out the current drain from the battery when the car is not running. I did this on my V6 and measured 31mA. This is powering the immobiliser and clock etc. I have left the car for a good 3 weeks without starting it, and it is fine.
If you have a large current drain (say >200mA) then start disconnecting things to see where it is going, like the radio, alternator, etc.
If you have a small current drain, and the battery is not holding its charge, then suspect the battery.

[M@H]

Depending on how much use the car is getting, you may no be giving it enough of a chage at the weekends to keep the battery topped up. The Alarm, clock, ECU and other ancilliaries all drain it away quietly.. best to give it a good overnight charge and see how it is then, before writing off the battery completely.

Cheers,
Matt.