Citroen AX 10E carb battery draining

[jsp]

Hi, I have a Citroen AX 10E from 1987 I have recently replaced the ignition barrel but, it keeps draining the battery. Any advise?

[xantia_v6]

You need to connect an amp-meter in series with the battery lead to measure the leakage current with everything switched off. It should be less than 50mA on that car.

If the current is too high, disconnect things one at a time to see where the leakage is. Start by pulling out all the fuses, then disconnect the alternator etc...

A hint: to protect your meter from accidental overload, put a small 12V light bulb (5W or 10W) in series with the meter, so that if you accidentally try to start the engine or something similar, the bulb will limit the current through the meter to a safe value.

[jsp]

could it be the ignition barrel that is leaking power?

[jsp]

Just tried but, it's not ignition barrel leaking power.

[white exec]

You need to connect an amp-meter in series with the battery lead to measure the leakage current with everything switched off. It should be less than 50mA on that car.

If the current is too high, disconnect things one at a time to see where the leakage is. Start by pulling out all the fuses, then disconnect the alternator etc...

A hint: to protect your meter from accidental overload, put a small 12V light bulb (5W or 10W) in series with the meter, so that if you accidentally try to start the engine or something similar, the bulb will limit the current through the meter to a safe value.

You will need follow the above procedure. It is the only way to identify the problem.

Pull the fuses.
Close doors (or tape door switch 'closed' so as not to activate interior lights, etc.)
Remove one of the battery connections.
Set ammeter to a high current setting (to be safe) - eg 10A.
Insert the ammeter between the battery terminal and the removed lead.
Hopefully you will not see a reading.
Increase the sensitivity of the meter (to say 2A) - hopefully no reading again.
Leave meter in place, and start replacing fuses one at a time.
If meter never reads more than 50mA (you might need to set meter to 200mA sensitivity to see this), then all is well.
Keep on re-inserting fuses one at a time until the reading jumps to something over 50mA.
Whichever fuse does this, this is the problem.
[To be sure, leave this suspect fuse out, and replace the others one at a time to make sure there isn't a second suspect circuit.]

If NO fuse registers 50mA+, then the next suspect of the alternator.
[Some alternators have a fuse, often 5A, of their own - usually in the engine compartment fusebox.]
Disconnect the alternator cables one at a time (careful with the live ends of these cables) to check whether it's the alternator that is draining the current.

The current has to be going somewhere.
The procedure above is the way to pin it down.

If in doubt, enlist the help of someone who is familiar with auto-electrics.
Guesswork in this area just sends you round in circles, and can get expensive if you randomly throw new batteries and alternators at the problem, which some repair businesses are are more than happy to suggest.

[jsp]

I have tried that already and it must be the alternator. I have a spare one which is working will try that.

No need to explain the whole story of measuring and pulling fuses as I have tried this already before and still the same.

It's a 10E basic version with almost no options. It started when I replaced my alternator and ignition barrel.

The ignition barrel has been ruled out as I have replaced another one.

Alternator does charge 14.4v but, it might leak there.

I am mechanic myself by the way and just doing a restoration project so not working everyday on that car.

[Peter.N.]

Disconnect the alternator lead and see if the leakage stops. Its not all that uncommon for alternators to go leaky.

Peter

[white exec]

I haven't checked your specific alternator wiring diagram, but some alternators have three cabled connections, in addition to chassis/GND:
- main output
- +12 IGN switched
- +12 battery sensing/permanent live

If the last two are accidentally reversed (when alternator is replaced), the result is a steady battery drain, and enough to prevent starting after 2-4 days.

Sorry if I misjudged your expertise!

[jsp]

No offence to anyone just having a bad frustration of leaking power of a just refurbished alternator.

Finally sorted

In only 5hrs the whole battery is drained till empty

I Have recently installed a refurbished Valeo A11V11 alternator 70A and leaks power (maybe something went wrong during refurbishment)

it has the following pinout on the alternator

B+ 12V perm.
B- Unused
D+ Regulator
W Unused

I have just replaced my alternator with a Iskra 70A alternator new and guess what.

My alternator lamp in the dash works and no leak anymore.

So I will go back to the idiot whom refurbished it and let him test again.

[white exec]

Glad you have sorted it.
That was quite some current drain!

[jsp]

Many thanks going to the ch%v who refurb. it.