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stedee · Alfa 33 Joined: 02 May 2006 Posts: 364 Location: brighouse

hi all
i`ve got my 4wd working on my p4 and now ive noticed the battery is being drained, i dont know if its because i only use it for 2 x 10 min journeys a day so the battery isnt getting chance to charge but after 5 days my battery is flat, this has only started happening since the 4wd has been hooked up. i thought it could be something to do with the electro - magnetic coupling draining power overnight. any ideas.
the only thing i can think to do is wire a switch for the 4wd and turn it off at night, which wires should i wire the switch to (i was going to use the em coupling wires which run by the gearstick)
cheers for any help
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tvatavuk · Posted: Mon Jun 11, 2007 7:43 am Post subject:

Best place for diy 4x4 switch is those connectors you mention which will shut of 4x4 ecu signal to relay, 2nd place is 4x4 relay itself.

Hi not sure 4x4 is able to drain your battery with engine off but you can take out 4x4 relay or fuse on it. That will cut power to el.coupling ion case relay is sticking.
I would suggest checking voltage on battery while engine is running. 14.4V would be ideal.
Maybe your alternator isn't charging battery as it should, ie due to lousy main ground on starter?
I drive my P4 every working day for about 5 mins x2 and my charger isn't charging 14.4V as it should but 13,8V without flattening out battery.
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Tino Vatavuk
Little black dress which replaced Alfa Romeo 33 S 16v Permanent 4 GMo

paulhide · Posted: Mon Jun 11, 2007 9:08 am Post subject:

Okay turn car off and place ammeter between battery terminal and the power lead to see if there is any current leaking. Don't forget if you have your door open the interior light will be on or your stereo etc. If you are getting an unusual reading take out and replace every fuse/relay etc to find what is causing the power loss. I had this on my white series 2 and found it to be a faulty foglight relay.
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bobbber · Posted: Mon Jun 11, 2007 9:46 am Post subject:

Great advice from Paul - BUT - be BLOODY careful you don't become a human ammeter Laughing

Any ideas how much the P4 system would drain if it was faulty?!

i.e. if the stereo and the interior light was on then it would drain 1A, but if the P4 was not shutting down it would drain 50A?!?!?!? Get where I'm coming from?!

Bob
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tvatavuk · Posted: Mon Jun 11, 2007 3:57 pm Post subject:

EL. coupling powers through relay with 25A fuse on it. Fuse is overcaped but that is why I don't think it is el. coupling after all. Because that would drain battery in matter of few hours.
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Tino Vatavuk
Little black dress which replaced Alfa Romeo 33 S 16v Permanent 4 GMo

stedee · Alfa 33 Joined: 02 May 2006 Posts: 364 Location: brighouse

thanx for all your replies
i dont think it is the emc after all because i pulled out the fuse last night and guess what flat battery this morning even though it wasnt charged very well b4 that - just enough to start the car. i will still ask about the switch for the 4wd though, is it ok to put a switch on the emc wire by the gear lever if that draws 25amp or so, i would rather wire a switch to the relay because that should be lower current but it is so far away from the interior.

also i have a feeling the power drain could be my stereo which at the moment is only wired up through a permanent live( havent found an ignition live, i will probably use the cigarette lighter live)well anyway the stereo is on standby rather than properly turned off - could this be enough drain to cause a flat battery?

cheers steve
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john 33_16v · Posted: Mon Jun 11, 2007 6:10 pm Post subject:

Stereo (memory for presets etc) and the clock will sap a bit.

My 33 will have a dead battery if i leave it connected, and the car isn't used for about 5-7 days. Test meter showed no other problems.

I now just try and use it at least 3 times a week Laughing

John
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paulhide · Posted: Mon Jun 11, 2007 6:19 pm Post subject:

will send a thing about 4WD switch Question

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stedee · Alfa 33 Joined: 02 May 2006 Posts: 364 Location: brighouse

thanx paul and john , ive looked for an ignition live and i cant find one anywhere - the fag lighter is a permanent live - great!!
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tvatavuk · Posted: Mon Jun 11, 2007 10:52 pm Post subject:

Yeah it is much wiser to put switch on wire that operates relay and not EMC power unless you have switch like they do in nuclear plants Smile

For diy 4x4 switch there is also another switch that turns on/off power to 4x4 ecu, enabling you to reset 4x4 ecu and give power to emc after 4x4 fault has been discovered withou need of restarting engine.
If noone sends you diy 4x4 switch document soon, pm me Smile

Stereo, alarms/imobilizators even starter motors can all drain battery when problematic but I still would check that battery is geting charged with engine running and lights,stereo... ON.
Only then I would check with amp meter to see what kind of amp is car asking when in turned off mode.
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Tino Vatavuk
Little black dress which replaced Alfa Romeo 33 S 16v Permanent 4 GMo

stedee · Alfa 33 Joined: 02 May 2006 Posts: 364 Location: brighouse

hi
i havent put a switch on yet but i have replaced the fuse for the 4x4 and swapped stereos , one that can be turned off properly and all seems ok
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