Andy03STI

I have a 03 sti and keep having trouble with battery going flat if it's stood for a couple of days or it's been moved 4 times in last two days and was flat again last night.
The battery was replaced last may by the previous owner at kwik fit. In September it was exchanged due to keep losing charge now it's doing it again. Anyway it also has a intermittent misfire and last few times I have charged battery up it dissapears then gets worse. I charged it up fully again last night and misfire seems to have gone again.
What I want to know is can a faulty alternator or battery cause issues like this?

TonyBurns

iTrader: (3)

Maybe the tracker draining it

Tony

B0DSKI

iTrader: (17)

Had the same thing on mine. As Tony say's if it's got a Tracker it could well be refusing to go into sleep mode and driaing the battery.

gallois

i had this issue on my previous battery, at the time though, i didn't realise how rediculous the charging system is, i.e. the alternator only charges the battery if there is a significant elcectrical load - side lights or blower, otherwise, after the first few mins, the alternator stops charging!. So long periods of no-use would gradually naturally run the battery down, followed by a start, followed by no charging. Eventually the battery got too flat to start the car, and this ruins the battery over time when put on a charger. (very flat, followed by charging repeatedly.)

Now on my second battery and no issues at all, (as i always drive with my blower set to min, this provides 14v from the alternator).

When i get 2 mins, i will video my psi3 datamonitor showing the 'battery voltage' with no electricals turned on, and then with lights, or blower on) as many find it hard to believe.

amego

same prob my self i run the car with the blowers on number 2 been ok for the last year

TonyBurns

iTrader: (3)

I believe they dont charge when cold either, so short journeys dont do it any good

Tony

Andy03STI

I was wondering if they are just poor batteries from kwik fit. Think it was only about £60 which I think is cheap from there. The make is platinum prestige. I'll check alternator is producing right voltage output. If that's ok I'll get a bosch or halfords battery they seem to have good rating on here.
Ive read once battery is charged the car just runs of alternator power alone so was wondering if it wasn't producing power it should be.
I'm not sure if car has a tracker fitted or not to be honest. Has a Clifford g5 alarm fitted. Also I have a little button next to handbrake with two rubber buttons on it. Think one has a star on it. I don't have a clue what it is for. Anyone any ideas? I'll get a photo of it up later.

TopBanana

There are two measurements you need to make
1. The voltage across the battery with the engine running. This should be 13.8v or so
2. The parasitic current draw when the engine isn't running. You'll need to put your muiltimeter in series between the battery and the battery lead. It shouldn't be more than about 50ma. (dont know exact figure for these cars)

B0DSKI

iTrader: (17)

Agree with the above re: the alternator performance. I always run mine with side lights on and fan on. Certainly helps to keep the Alternator working better

gallois

from what i've observed on my ECU monitor, just the sidelights or just the blower on minimum is fine to make the alternator start charging the battery.

rob2613

Hi mate - this may sound a silly question but has it had a clutch recently as i had the exact same problem, i put three batteries on and an alternator and still going flat after a few days, after all this a good friend asked if i had had the clutch done recently, he works for subaru and had a car come in with the same problem - and it ended up being the earth strap from the gearbox to the bulkhead that was not connected back - you can see this by taking the intercooler off and having a look. This sorted the problem and over november and december i left the car and it started straight away last week with no problems

P600wrx

iTrader: (1)

it is a smart charge system same as ford use, easy simple answer is leave side lights on as that causes enought load to charge, also if only using a couple times a week then a battery optimizer from the bay of E will doo the trick to keep everything in order, they trickle charge at about 2amps or summat like that

hth Mark

Andy03STI

I checked all earth straps other week all appear fine.
Anyone know where a tracker is likely to be located and I'll see if it has one on.

P600wrx

iTrader: (1)

tracker will be anywhere depending on the installer, but it has it's own battery back up system can't really say on an open forum as to the location but it will be in there somewhere if it has 1,

Andy03STI

I'll have a good look round this weekend. Can you just disconnect them?

speedking

50mA seems very low. IIRC mine was using about 0.5A when parked up. So a 60Ah battery will last approximately 120hours = 5 days. (That's with no interior light etc., but with tracker, clock.

TonyBurns

iTrader: (3)

Its your valet button, if you dont know what the code is then you need to speak with a clifford dealer and get it reprogrammed, though depending on which alarm you have it may also have anti hijack fitted.

Tony

Andy03STI

Thanks for that. Ill look in instructions it tells you how to do it was looking other week even if you don't know code you can do it as long as you have fob with you. Nothing about the buttons in it as I recall I'm sure you did it all with fob.

P600wrx

iTrader: (1)

right it won't be the clifford, i fit them and sooo many people say it's the alarm, well not true, the current draw on them is minimul, i have left my scoob for a week after 96hrs the alarm goes into sleep mode, the car has smart charging on it drive about with side lights on and get a battery optimizer for it,

the valet switch is coded as tony says, your original code for the alarm would of been on the back of the keyfob, the only way it can be done now is via a dealer to change it for you if you don't know, factory presets are all different so there is no generic code to try IE:1234, and when they are installed first time round 70% are changed to the owners own code,

The Sheep Worrier

iTrader: (2)

i don't know if this may help you but just an experience i had with my classic last year..
same problem, battery loosing charge over a couple of days, nothing wrong with batt or alternator, after searching through i found that the live wire to my alternator had corroded on the spade connectors, in its sleeving believe it or not, located near the cooling system top up plastic bottle on the r-hand side of the engine bay. must have been arcing overnight causing battery to drain. Replaced the connectors and cleaned the wires and problem solved!
Dont know how common this is, but just thought i'd share my experience might save you a couple of quid just to check if all else fails!!
good luck
Rob

Andy03STI

How big is the tracker? I've found a black box with loads holes in like a speaker and all coils inside. Box is about 70mm * 50mm.

bazzabugs

iTrader: (2)

Hi i had the same problem with my car.If i did'nt use the car for 2 days the battery would be dead flat.I did post up on here but i did'nt get any answers.I have just had tracker come out to me today and service my unit and changed the battery.
All i hope its solved the problem only time will tell 2 days. I will post the result when i know.
Bazza