Battery Drain

CycloneMike · Posted: Tue Feb 03, 2009 3:28 pm Post subject: Battery Drain

My battery goes flat if the van is left for more than 2 or 3 days.
I traced the drain by putting a meter between the battery -ve and the chassis, I then removed the fuses one by one. It wasn't the van fuse box which was what I expected, so i checked the Subaru loom fuses and found that when I remove the 30A ECU/Fuel pump fuse, the battery drain stops.
The loom is connected to permanent +ve from the starter and switched feed from the ignition, as per RJES instructions, so any ideas what might cause the drain?
Should I just put a relay in the permanent feed from the starter also switched from the ignition, will this cause any ECU probs with stored codes etc? (OBD1).
Thanks,
Mike.

sven · Jedi Guardian Joined: 27 Dec 2006 Posts: 814

There should always be a fuel pump relay, at least if you ask me. Happy

CycloneMike · Posted: Tue Feb 03, 2009 5:33 pm Post subject:

ElusiveStranger · Posted: Tue Feb 03, 2009 6:52 pm Post subject:

Take the ECU memory keep wire and wire this to perm live.

Now grab yerself another relay, wire the sense wire to the old VW "IGN ON" wire from the switch.
Take the output from this wire to your fuel pump/Injectors/whatever relays with the 12V, job done Happy

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rjes · Posted: Wed Feb 04, 2009 4:28 pm Post subject:

Hello Mike,
You're Mike in Carlisle, who bought Chris from Bristol's engine right? (sorry - my memory is useless!).
If so, I didn't make a note of what spec your engine was, but I think it is a 1990 - 94 EJ22? If so, can you let me know how many wires there are going to the multi pin plug in your alternator (don't worry about the thick white wires to the M6 stud).
I suspect I know what the drain may be, and how to fix it. If, I'm right, it's non of the above, and will not require adding any relays, etc.
Let me know about your alternator, and I'll e-mail you the details of something to test, and how to sort it if the test proves the drain is what I think.
You will catch me attention quicker if you mail me directly, as I don't have vwkd set up to mail me whenever anything is posted. Thanks,
_________________
Regards,

Richard,

R J Engineered Solutions
Quality Subaru Powered VW Components
www.rjes.com

CycloneMike · Posted: Wed Feb 04, 2009 8:42 pm Post subject:

Richard,
Thank you I didn't email you direct as I expect you can become over run with questions.... I know I've asked you plenty.
I'll have a look at the alternator then get in touch.
Mike