Hot Relay - when parked

[chris2002hk]

I was familiarizing myself with the electrical layout of the relays/ fuses and I noticed that one of the relays was quite warm , even though the car was parked and had not been driven. From the bible, the relay in question is the courtesy light delay(?) - location top right on the fuse board. I had a totally flat battery last time I went on vacation and had not driven the car for about 3 weeks, Might this relay be causing the drain from the battery? I don't use the internal light so presumably I can just remove this relay if it's playing up?

[quattrophenia]

chris2002hk said:

I was familiarizing myself with the electrical layout of the relays/ fuses and I noticed that one of the relays was quite warm , even though the car was parked and had not been driven. From the bible, the relay in question is the courtesy light delay(?) - location top right on the fuse board. I had a totally flat battery last time I went on vacation and had not driven the car for about 3 weeks, Might this relay be causing the drain from the battery? I don't use the internal light so presumably I can just remove this relay if it's playing up?

Does the inside light work as it should, and does the relay click when you switch it on/off?

[chris2002hk]

Good question, the light works but wether it works as it should do, I don't know . It did work off the door switch when I got the car , but as it's been turned off for the last 8 months will have to check!

[bobfather]

quattrophenia said:

Does the inside light work as it should, and does the relay click when you switch it on/off?

The relay does not operate from the switch on the lamp. The relay operates when the door is open. Therefore the relay will get hot when the door is open even if the lamp is switched off.

[EGB]

Good advice Bob. Therefore make sure door switch is cancelling when door is closed, and close doors thoroughly!. NB: Imobilisers can cause a battery drain if left on for weeks. I have a battery cut off switch with a key to isolate battery discharge completely for long periods in garage.

[chris2002hk]

Good advice indeed, tks. A battery cut off switch is on my shopping list, the easy solution!