New battery went flat in 3 days

[Super Californilistic]

Hi all,
I just bought a new start battery and fully charged it. Three days after driving 100km trip the battery went flat and I can't start the engine. I have 2008 California T5. Any idea what could be draining the battery?

M

 

[pchmlk]

Is the alternator working ok? What voltage are you getting across the terminals with the engine running?

 

[WelshGas]

Hi all,
I just bought a new start battery and fully charged it. Three days after driving 100km trip the battery went flat and I can't start the engine. I have 2008 California T5. Any idea what could be draining the battery?

M

Lights?
Was the Indicator stalk left in the neutral position after the journey? If not the Parking/side lights on the side indicated would have been left On.

 

[Super Californilistic]

Thanks for fast reply.
The lights were left to neutral when I parked the car. However when I installed the battery I heard some buzzing noise coming from the engine compartment or possibly under the car on the left side. What could that be?
After charging the batteries for about two hours I took her for a spin. The indicator with engine on shows 13.8V 0.2A.

M

 

[WelshGas]

Thanks for fast reply.
The lights were left to neutral when I parked the car. However when I installed the battery I heard some buzzing noise coming from the engine compartment or possibly under the car on the left side. What could that be?
After charging the batteries for about two hours I took her for a spin. The indicator with engine on shows 13.8V 0.2A.

M

OK, that shows the alternator is charging the Leisure Batteries.
When you said it failed to start - what happened?
Did it turn over or not?
If you have access to a multimeter what's the engine battery voltage?

 

[Super Californilistic]

OK, that shows the alternator is charging the Leisure Batteries.
When you said it failed to start - what happened?
Did it turn over or not?
If you have access to a multimeter what's the engine battery voltage?

When I turned the ignition the dashboard lights came up but weak. The engine tried to start but couldn't. Typical low battery symptoms.
I will get a multimeter and check it.
Right now I am charging the battery which is brand new.

 

[WelshGas]

When I turned the ignition the dashboard lights came up but weak. The engine tried to start but couldn't. Typical low battery symptoms.
I will get a multimeter and check it.
Right now I am charging the battery which is brand new.

Check the connections on the battery + & - and the other ends of the main cables. Clean and re-tighten there could be a poor connection. Checking the battery voltage on the actual battery connections will show if the battery is charged but a poor connection is preventing full voltage.
If everything checks out OK then check the voltage daily once the battery is charged up.
If the battery voltage drops significantly over 3 days then you have a parasitic drain on the battery and it would have to be tracked down, a little more involved.

 

[Super Californilistic]

OK, that shows the alternator is charging the Leisure Batteries.
When you said it failed to start - what happened?
Did it turn over or not?
If you have access to a multimeter what's the engine battery voltage?

After getting the new start battery I discovered that both Leisure Batteries also need to be changed. I wonder if the old/faulty batteries can have any effect on the new start battery?

 

[Wesel]

What were the reasons for changing the battery? Did you have exactly the same symptoms as now?

 

[Super Californilistic]

What were the reasons for changing the battery? Did you have exactly the same symptoms as now?

Yes. One day I found the van empty for juice. I had left it in the cold for a couple of weeks. After that episode I took the start battery for check and was told it was time for change. Now I am starting to wonder if there was a secondary reason for the drained battery. Any ideas?

 

[Super Californilistic]

I forgot to mention that recently I was not able to start the Webasto heater unless connected to the mains. The vent started but the air was cold. I haven't tried starting the Webasto after I installed the new battery.

 

[Pollewop]

However when I installed the battery I heard some buzzing noise coming from the engine compartment or possibly under the car on the left side. What could that be?

The buzzing sound is nothing worrisome... It's most probably the fuel pump priming...

 

[pchmlk]

I forgot to mention that recently I was not able to start the Webasto heater unless connected to the mains. The vent started but the air was cold. I haven't tried starting the Webasto after I installed the new battery.

The Wesbasto is off the leisure batteries.

 

[Wesel]

Yes. One day I found the van empty for juice. I had left it in the cold for a couple of weeks. After that episode I took the start battery for check and was told it was time for change. Now I am starting to wonder if there was a secondary reason for the drained battery. Any ideas?

3 possibilities
Faulty alternator. Measure the voltage directly on the battery, with the engine running. It should be around 14 volts.

Bad connection to the battery. Different voltage between the terminals and the battery. Tighten the contacts.

Something draining the battery. The radio must be off, no USB charger. No lamp on. If it is a discharge problem, the first 2 possibilities being checked, measure the voltage every hour for example. If it is this problem, the voltage will decrease gradually but will be good with the engine running.

 

[BigPritch]

I forgot to mention that recently I was not able to start the Webasto heater unless connected to the mains. The vent started but the air was cold. I haven't tried starting the Webasto after I installed the new battery.

Had the same issue, and was told that unless the battery(s) has sufficient power, it won't push hot air. I had 1 LB totally goosed, so swapped tat for a new one. Starter battery went very soon after, changed that as well (the battery was the ORIGINAL fitted off the production line. I've a 2007 SE...not bad).
Since then, everything has worked......
I know that doesn't answer why is is it draining, but I've learnt pretty quickly, if the batteries ain't up to it...lots of things don't work as they should....
Good luck

 

[Wesel]

3 possibilities
Faulty alternator. Measure the voltage directly on the battery, with the engine running. It should be around 14 volts.

Bad connection to the battery. Different voltage between the terminals and the battery. Tighten the contacts.

Something draining the battery. The radio must be off, no USB charger. No lamp on. If it is a discharge problem, the first 2 possibilities being checked, measure the voltage every hour for example. If it is this problem, the voltage will decrease gradually but will be good with the engine running.

All of this assumes you have a good battery

 

[Wesel]

@Super Californilistic
Did you solve the problem? Always useful to know the solutions provided.

 

[Super Californilistic]

@Super Californilistic
Did you solve the problem? Always useful to know the solutions provided.

Hi,
I don't want to call it a solved problem until I have observed a steady voltage over a longer period of time.
I started by installing the two new leisure batteries. Tightened the connectors of all three batteries and started monitoring the voltage of the start battery with multimeter. Initially I observed a rapid drop from 13.60 V down but once the level reaches 12 V in couple of days it stabilizes. Crossing my fingers.

Thanks to all for great tips. For new bees like me your help is very valuable.

 

[Betsycalifornia]

Yes. One day I found the van empty for juice. I had left it in the cold for a couple of weeks. After that episode I took the start battery for check and was told it was time for change. Now I am starting to wonder if there was a secondary reason for the drained battery. Any ideas?

It’s not possible to accurately test a flat battery, it would need to be charged before testing. Obviously if it wouldn’t charge it’s all over.

 

[Super Californilistic]

Unfortunately the battery keeps going down. Something is draining it. There’s some noise underneath the front seats. It’s like a fan or something. What could it be?
Last year I changed the inverter which was not working. Can the new one has anything to do with this?