Power Drain, Any suggestions?

MasterZ · Postby **MasterZ** » Tue Oct 31, 2006 9:12 am

Hello everyone, I've got a bit of a problem with the mx5. within the past 2 months, my car has a power drain somewhere in the car but were not sure where its coming from. I've had 2 auto electronics people look at the car but they cant find anything. you see, the power drain only happens every so often so they cant find it. but its really annoying cause i would finish work about 9 at night and my car wont start at all. then i would have to call someone up to start my car. example: i washed my car in the lawn, then i moved it back into the driveway, then i went inside for about 30min - 1hr then i went to goto work and it wouldn't start at all. so i had to take the Diahatsu to work

. I currently have a 12\" 1300watt sony xplode sub in my car, also running an amp behind the passengers seat. i also have a neon in between both the driver and passenger seat, which has a switch. at first we thought it was the battery, so i bought a new one and it still happened. the we thought it was the alarm. so i took the car to Franky's car audio to fit the alarm. and apparently, the car 3 different alarms installed at once. it had 3 different alarm boxes under the dash. so they removed them completely and put the new one in. but the problem still persists. we have tested the amp, head deck, neon and theres no drain from them. any suggestions, cause i really want my car to get fixed.
oh yer, i own a 1992 mx5 not sure what model it is, but use would probably know.

thanks for reading, i know its kinda long

Garry · Postby **Garry** » Tue Oct 31, 2006 9:53 am

Check the indicator stalk to see if by wobbling it if it's possible for the headlights to come on without them going up. You may need an assistant to watch the lights while you wiggle the stalk.

Failing that check all your aftermarket electrical stuff.

MasterZ · Postby **MasterZ** » Tue Oct 31, 2006 10:25 am

Garry wrote:Check the indicator stalk to see if by wobbling it if it's possible for the headlights to come on without them going up. You may need an assistant to watch the lights while you wiggle the stalk.

Failing that check all your aftermarket electrical stuff.

well, a couple of times, i have noticed that the blue high beam light was on, but the high beams or lights weren't on, the stick was in the off position. so i had to turn them on and then off to get rid of it.

Garry · Postby **Garry** » Tue Oct 31, 2006 11:28 am

Sounds like your problem right there. Looks like you have a faulty combination switch, ie, the lights are on even though you think they are off.

MasterZ · Postby **MasterZ** » Tue Oct 31, 2006 1:21 pm

thanks for your help. i just got my car back just then (5minutes ago) from another auto electronics and they found nothing. at least they didn't charge me. i got my dad to check the lights while i played around with the indicators, but nothing usual happened. on another note, my cd player is a sony brand. when you turn them off, they usually make a noise (di do di do). but mine doesn't do this? you think my cd player is broken?

Juffa · Postby **Juffa** » Tue Oct 31, 2006 7:07 pm

MasterZ wrote:
Garry wrote:Check the indicator stalk to see if by wobbling it if it's possible for the headlights to come on without them going up. You may need an assistant to watch the lights while you wiggle the stalk.

Failing that check all your aftermarket electrical stuff.

well, a couple of times, i have noticed that the blue high beam light was on, but the high beams or lights weren't on, the stick was in the off position. so i had to turn them on and then off to get rid of it.

One o my previous 5s, and at least one other car in the Vic club had this exact problem. I found that if I moved the indicator stalk 1-2mm back towards me I could replicate the problem. Basically the high beams come on, but the headlights don't pop up and instant battery drain. Try testing it in a dark spot, such as a garage. You should see the light glow from under the car. It is caused by the electrical contacts around the indicator stalk wearing out.

Also, did you get the correct type of battery, given that it is sitting in a sealed evironment?

J

MasterZ · Postby **MasterZ** » Tue Oct 31, 2006 9:24 pm

Juffa wrote:One o my previous 5s, and at least one other car in the Vic club had this exact problem. I found that if I moved the indicator stalk 1-2mm back towards me I could replicate the problem. Basically the high beams come on, but the headlights don't pop up and instant battery drain. Try testing it in a dark spot, such as a garage. You should see the light glow from under the car. It is caused by the electrical contacts around the indicator stalk wearing out.

Also, did you get the correct type of battery, given that it is sitting in a sealed environment?

J

ill try the indicator text tomorrow. the battery that we bought was a Toyota corolla battery. and its sitting in the original battery position in the boot, if thats what you mean

bigdog · Postby **bigdog** » Tue Oct 31, 2006 9:34 pm

Master Z I have an old falcon tow car fitted with a Sony stereo that does exactly the same thing - if I leave the face attached while it is parked the battery will drain. Take the face off - no drain at all. I only drive the car once a week, and leaving the face on will guarantee a flat battery.

bigdog · Postby **bigdog** » Tue Oct 31, 2006 9:38 pm

The battery in your 5 should be the original with a vent pipe attached, or a fully sealed substitute (Odessey type or a calcium sealed battery like I use from Supercharge. an ordinary battery will over time leak and cause corrosion in the boot, and fumes can also leak causing nasty smells etc. The OEM battery was a Panasonic I think, but they are now available as a Federal battery for $200 ish, my Supercharge was $120 ish, Odessey are dearer still.

MasterZ · Postby **MasterZ** » Tue Oct 31, 2006 10:43 pm

bigdog wrote:Master Z I have an old falcon tow car fitted with a Sony stereo that does exactly the same thing - if I leave the face attached while it is parked the battery will drain. Take the face off - no drain at all. I only drive the car once a week, and leaving the face on will guarantee a flat battery.

i normally take the head deck off and it still happens, so i don't think it would be the head deck. does your head deck make the beeping noise once you turn the car off? Also, so your saying i should buy a certified mazda mx5 battery

Richee · Postby **Richee** » Wed Nov 01, 2006 7:11 am

MasterZ wrote: Also, so your saying i should buy a certified mazda mx5 battery

Not so much a certified battery but the correct battery for the application.

As the battery sits in an enclosed space ( your boot ) a sealed battery that is properly vented is what is required.

MX5 Mania sell a couple of diffent types and as bigdog says there are others also

http://www.mx5mania.com.au/electrical.htm

bigdog · Postby **bigdog** » Wed Nov 01, 2006 9:38 am

Yes, my sony deck makes the ding dong sound when you turn it off. Try pulling the fuse for the deck for a couple of days - I still think this is the culprit.

MasterZ · Postby **MasterZ** » Wed Nov 01, 2006 1:08 pm

ok, so i went to tafe this morning, then when i went to my car, it wouldnt start. so i got a mate to jump start it for me. when i jump started it, i noticed that the blue HB light was on. if the stalk is in the middle while the lights are off, will the high beams come on with out the lights being popped up, cuae mine are? is that unusual? could somebody please be kind and check if there blue hb light comes on while the stalk is in the middle?