Battery Drain of 0.5a

[ptjs1]

Hi Guys,

I wonder if anyone can suggest how to go about diagnosing a battery drain problem that my mother has on her 406 hdi 110 estate.

The battery is taking a constant current of 0.5a with everything turned off and no alarm set.

I've checked all the really obvious ones - interior lights going off, boot light is off, glovebox light is off, satnav CD closing down after 45 sec etc etc

I've disconnected the newly fitted alternator. I've tried pulling the relays in the engine fusebox. I've also pulled a number of the fuses, interor lights, blower fans etc etc all to no avail.

I'm trying to avoid pulling literally very fuse as I know there will also be a number of relays dotted around the car which could also be the problem.

To cap it all, I've blown two multi-meters today through being too stupid to switch over the positive lead ports when changing from current measuring to voltage measuring! Twice!

So, I'm running out of ideas (and multi-meters!) and wonder if anyone has any thoughts before I end up taking it Peugeot who presumably will also have to do the same by pulling all fuses and relays and charge me handsomely for the privilege!

Any thoughts very very gratefully received.

Thanks

Paul

[mjb]

To cap it all, I've blown two multi-meters today through being too stupid to switch over the positive lead ports when changing from current measuring to voltage measuring! Twice!

Open up the multimeters - usually there's a replaceable fast-blow fuse inside

The only thing I can suggest to help your diagnosis is investing in one of these:
http://www.maplin.co.uk/car-fuse-adapto ... set-217881
Shove a small value fuse in the holder, then remove each fuse at a time, replacing it with the holder with your multimeter on current. You should be able to quickly discover which system is pulling the juice

[Doggy]

One other possibility, the engine ecu stays powered up for up to 15 minutes after turning off the ignition, before going into 'sleep' mode. It may be this is the 0.5A what you're picking up, (but I've no idea of the real value).

[mjb]

ah good point!

[RayneR]

One other possibility, the engine ecu stays powered up for up to 15 minutes after turning off the ignition, before going into 'sleep' mode. It may be this is the 0.5A what you're picking up, (but I've no idea of the real value).

oh... didn't knew this one ! mehhh, we are always learning