Forum:
I have had this vehicle with 89000 km on for a while and this winter it has been useless; every time I have used it requiring headlights and wiper on with in 40 km the battery is completly drained, A new batter was put in 2 weeks ago , the same thing happened it was taken to a Diahatsu dealer who checked it over and confirmed alternator and belts ok, and yet again last it a repeat. As I live in the Alpine regions this vehcile is becoming not onlt a liability , but has the potential to threten your life in winter snowy condition by breaking down on alpine roads with no hope of immediate help or assistance. Has any one had this problem or can suggest what the cause is as Diahatsu dealers can not !!
Severe temperatures are
Severe temperatures are known to kill lead acid (and indeed most other) batteries, how often are you using your car? You should be starting it and running it for at least 30 minutes per turnover in very cold weather.
It could also be a power drain someplace, here is how to tell:
1. Obtain a multimeter capable of reading 10 amps or greater of current
2. Turn off the engine, make sure the key is fully removed for safety
3. Open the bonnet, unbolt and remove the NEGATIVE WIRE from the battery, rest the cable on something non-conductive ie. something plastic or a newspaper.
4. With the multimeter in 10 amp mode, put one probe of the multimeter on the negative battery terminal, and the other probe on the negative wire, essentially completing the circuit
5. The multimeter will now tell you how much current is being drawn whilst the ignition is off, if it's more than 500mA (milliamps, 0.5 Amps) then there's a power leak someplace, at this point you should perhaps try removing fuses from the fusebox to try and further locate where the leak could possibly be, but be careful to write down / memorise where each fuse came from.
Hope this helps.
Ps. if anyone has any amendments to this suggestion please shout it out, we're all learners no matter how much we know
Jason "Foxdie" Gaunt
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Jason "Foxdie" Gaunt
electrics
Thank you for your reply and I will try that. I use the vehicle daily, normally during in daylight hours , but recently it has been at night and within about 40 minutes lights start to dim then voltage reg show a 50% drop , then is is a case of abandon vehicle take battery recharge for 24 hours then all is normall till next night time usage, then it repeats particulaly when wipers are used in conjunction with head lights,
here ther are no auto electric specialist , aand the 2 Daihatsu agents really not interested!!
From the symptoms you're
From the symptoms you're describing it really does sound like a power leak someplace, or the alternator is damaged, but as you said earlier they checked that
(but do you trust them to have ACTUALLY tested it, and not just lie about it?)
Either way, try that test and let us know, good luck
Jason "Foxdie" Gaunt
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Jason "Foxdie" Gaunt
Contact clean?
Try removing and cleaning every link between the alternator and battery. A corroded contact or faulty cable could reduce the charge rate between the alternator and battery.
Any possibilty that you could 'borrow' an alternator and temporarily fit/test it to your Sporty?
Feroza
Hi
Well just to let you know it broke down yet again , Diahstsu say it not alternator , so it was taken to a small general garage repairer, who had car all day and confirmed alternater not charginging un load, exact opposoite to the main dealers !!!
Alternator is in excess of 400 euro's
Typical they only interested in selling new vehicles
So it will be replaced and I have decided to sell the 4x4 and am now looking for cherokee or suburu or discovery instead, pitty but !! new owner is going to get a bargin when I sell it
ELECTRICS
Some years ago I had the same problem and the same answer from an Auto-electrcian, that is, that the Alternator was OK. I replaced the battery on their advice and like you it died. It turned out that the Alternator was breaking down once it was in use for a short period and once replaced the problem went. Like all the other replies I think it could well be a faulty connector or rust on the earth connector which can drain a battery. It may sound daft but check that the rear door is shut properly as the courtesy light will remain on if it is shut, but not tight. I have this regular when "her in doors " goes shopping. Seriously watch the Voltmeter to see if this drops back after running the car or a bit. If it drop below the charge line then I would be certain that it is the alternator.
OLDMINIMAN
M J Young