TVR Griffith battery keeps going flat is car not used

[design4p]

Hi,

This has happened for years and I try to solve the problem. I have checked on the amps used when I remove each fuse in turn but still there is a leakage of 0.4 amps on the positive lead and 0.2 amps on the negative lead.

Can anyone suggest where the power is going? Is there other fuses to check? or is there any useage of power which does not go through the fuses?

Any suggestions would be welcome as I really would like to solve this problem as I don't use the car as often.

Regards John

[jeboa]

This might sound a bit blunt, but you'll be chasing you a&^e forever trying to stop the battery going flat. The time would be better saved and a few quid invested on an Accumate charger - brilliant bit of kit, and will always ensure the car is ready to go.

[EGB]

Also, a battery isolator switch £7. Will also help reset ECU if any probs??

Edited by EGB on Saturday 5th November 14:36

[Ant.]

Has it got an aftermarket radio fitted?

I have rewired a griff and a chimp recently because they the battery would not last.
Both had aftermarket stereos and the switched and unswitched supplies were both connected to the unswitched feed, this means even when turned off the stereo is not really off.

An easy check is to check your current draw again and then pop the front off the stereo.

If it is the answer pull the stereo and look at the feed wires.
Red is permanent live, dark green is switched ignition and black obviously ground.

[design4p]

Hi, Never thought of that, - I'll check.

Regards John

[steve-V8s]

Have to say you have a most unusual electrical circuit if there is a different current flowing in the + and –ve cables.

The classic one is the internal light relay. You can turn off each of the internal light fittings but if the door switch is not working correctly the relay will still be drawing current.

Also how about the Clock, Alarm, Immobiliser and if there is one fitted, Tracker. Allegedly mine had a tracker fitted but I have never found it. In addition to those the thick red wire goes to the Alternator and the starter solenoid. There could be some small leakage in the alternator rectifier diodes. If you are locking the car with the radio key fob then plainly the receiver that is listing for your return will be drawing some current.

Mine draws about 200ma. As said, the normal solutions are a trickle charger or disconnect the battery when it is left.

[Huntsman]

steve-V8s said:

Have to say you have a most unusual electrical circuit if there is a different current flowing in the + and –ve cables.

I thought that straight off, OHMS law isn't wrong, I guess understanding that difference might show up where the current draw is.

[ellis427]

I had same problem battery lasted about 4 days,Fitted a isolator switch 5 years ago never had a problem and more inportant no Ecu problems as its reset each time

[GasDoc]

I've been led to believe that all griff batteries will go flat in several weeks if left standing and not driven. Likewise, I always hook up to the accumate charger via the cigarette lighter when not driving the car for more than a few days. No further worries.

[lotusandy]

Get one of these
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Car-Current-Tester-Meter...
Then go through each fuse & see which is the offending circuit..

Andy

[mybrainhurts]

Bulb in the boot not going out...?

[design4p]

Thanks for all the sugestions I do feel happier about the situation and will invest in some trickle charger. Regards John

[FlipFlopGriff]

mybrainhurts said:

Bulb in the boot not going out...?

What bulb?
FFG

[mybrainhurts]

FlipFlopGriff said:

mybrainhurts said:

Bulb in the boot not going out...?

What bulb?
FFG

Don't know. That's why I asked.

[elliottr]

Hi,

I recently bought a Griffith and I too have a flat battery after 3 weeks of non-use. I previously owned a Chimaera and did not experience this issue, although the car was more regularly used.

I was interested to hear about the battery isolator switches. I hope you'll forgive my ignorance but if the battery is isolated presumably the alarm is therefore inactive? This isn't necessarily a problem because the car is garaged but I'd like to understand how they work.

Also, would anyone have any advice on the fitting location and procedure - is it particularly difficult?

Thanks,

Richard.

[daveparry]

The answer surely is not to buy a TVR and NOT USE IT!

[5.0ltr]

elliottr said:

Hi...`Stuff`.... Richard.

Sorry Richard, cannot answer that, but top lurking that man, where you been for 10 years?

[elliottr]

Sold the Chimp back in 2002, then had a lost decade of Mercs and Audis, depressingly reliable and no need for any maintenance advice. Missed the excitement I felt every time I started the Chimp engine, so decided to buy a Griff in September. Has failed to start twice now...

[Hoover.]

elliottr said:

Hi,

I recently bought a Griffith and I too have a flat battery after 3 weeks of non-use.

I was interested to hear about the battery isolator switches advice on the fitting location and procedure - is it particularly difficult?

My isolator switch is fitted to top of the carpeted board that covers the battery compartment. Easy to get to, just lean down in to passenger footwell, but high enough to be in a award position to be out of the way of passenger feet/bags etc...... was on the car when I got it, recently had all the electrics tieded up so that it actually works, as who ever wired it in didn't do it right and it didn't isolate everything.

[GTRene]

some radio's use a bit volts even when you not use it and the clock when installed also...
some cars also have leak-volts.
so also if its garaged and not on lock/alarm some cars with those sort electric stuff use volts...