New car day... the end of the Saga...

[Taipan]

Now that we're all qualified electricians, how do you check for battery drain?

It could be useful info

I passed my City and Guilds 224 in the early 80s but I’m recommending Google!

[weeksy]

Now that we're all qualified electricians, how do you check for battery drain?

It could be useful info

Over the phone I had weeksy connect meter in series and in the amps scale once I’d sussed the first meter wasn’t working. Then watching the meter pull one fuse at a time. The trailer unit was taking a load so the fuse was left out but there’s still a drain on just under 1 amp.

Could repeat the same but it’s getting more difficult to find more fuses, there will be some but next I’d check battery which he’s doing

Surely the battery being diff wouldn't be a factor in the draw though?

[Couchy]

Now that we're all qualified electricians, how do you check for battery drain?

It could be useful info

Over the phone I had weeksy connect meter in series and in the amps scale once I’d sussed the first meter wasn’t working. Then watching the meter pull one fuse at a time. The trailer unit was taking a load so the fuse was left out but there’s still a drain on just under 1 amp.

Could repeat the same but it’s getting more difficult to find more fuses, there will be some but next I’d check battery which he’s doing

Surely the battery being diff wouldn't be a factor in the draw though?

Correct

[weeksy]

So in the ongoing Saga, the dealer came back to me with. "Have you checked the passenger mirror control as when you were testing the van i pointed out the mirror motor was being a bit weird"... To give him his due, he did point it out, the mirror control doesn't quite seem to respond correctly. But as you rarely move the mirror i didn't care too much.

Looking on the fuse diagrams i'm not actually seeing anything specific to the mirror, there is a Door Control Unit Left and Door Control Unit right, which could potentially be the ones.

OK, it's getting dark, but i've pulled both of them. The draw has dropped from 0.7v down to 0.2v
 
So between the Trailer Recognition Unit fuse and the Door Control Unit we've got it pretty darn low from 2.0v to 0.2v of draw. I don't know currently what level of draw is considered acceptable because you've obviously got standby mode and immobiliser which must have a certain level of draw on the battery I think.

I then spoke to my mate who does the Audio/alarms/stuff and he's also a Merc certified auto-elect and said "if you need to bring it over and we'll sort it"... He strictly speaking doesn't really deal with warranty companies, but he'll make an exception as we've been mates for many many years through bikes and car stuff. So i've now pinged the dealer with the whole discussion and left it for him to decide if i go through my mate, or back to the dealer down in Poole.

[weeksy]

Halfords confirm the battery, alternator and starter are all OK and 'good' according to the computer.

That's all well and good of course.... but the problem hasn't gone away just by pulling fuses... (well it has.... but only because we pulled them lol)..

Spoke to dealer and threw this in.
Halfords confirm the battery, alternator and starter are OK. Happy with their readings. They also confirm there is a 'draw' on the battery. But obviously they don't diagnose/fix that side of things.
Anyway.. there we are.
So as i see it we have a few options.
1. Bring van back and refund full amount. 
2. Bring van back, you repair fully at your workshop/whoever you choose. (ideally I would need to borrow something to get about in if possible please)
3. Contact 3rd party warranty company and see if they will authorise and accept repairs at  'my auto tech guy'
4. If no to the above (we both know how picky warranty companies can be) then Coastal Car Sales to cover repairs through 'my auto tech guy'

We have the complication that we are due to take the van to The Alps on Thursday 25th, but we do have use of another vehicle for that trip... but that does throw levels of complication for Eurotunnel and things like breakdown cover i have already booked. Not that i'm expecting the dealer to cover that, it just adds in some complication

[Count Steer]

What's the Ah rating on the battery? If it's not going to flatten it overnight a 'get you there and back' could be just to keep it topped up/pull the fuse when not in use. Not ideal but not too risky.

[weeksy]

What's the Ah rating on the battery? If it's not going to flatten it overnight a 'get you there and back' could be just to keep it topped up/pull the fuse when not in use. Not ideal but not too risky.

I would guess with both those fuses pulled it'd last 5-10 days between driving.. So yes, you're correct in that i COULD use for Silverstone, Alps, Pembrey and fix afterwards... But that's not actually my first choice because that's adding in an extra 2 weeks and pretty much removes the dealer from Option 1.
Option 1 isn't necessarily my preferred choice here... but i'd certainly like to keep it open as an option.

[Count Steer]

What's the Ah rating on the battery? If it's not going to flatten it overnight a 'get you there and back' could be just to keep it topped up/pull the fuse when not in use. Not ideal but not too risky.

I would guess with both those fuses pulled it'd last 5-10 days between driving.. So yes, you're correct in that i COULD use for Silverstone, Alps, Pembrey and fix afterwards... But that's not actually my first choice because that's adding in an extra 2 weeks and pretty much removes the dealer from Option 1.
Option 1 isn't necessarily my preferred choice here... but i'd certainly like to keep it open as an option.

It wouldn't be my first choice either More of a back-up plan that doesn't involve using the other car. Getting it fixed is Plan A.

[weeksy]

What's the Ah rating on the battery? If it's not going to flatten it overnight a 'get you there and back' could be just to keep it topped up/pull the fuse when not in use. Not ideal but not too risky.

I would guess with both those fuses pulled it'd last 5-10 days between driving.. So yes, you're correct in that i COULD use for Silverstone, Alps, Pembrey and fix afterwards... But that's not actually my first choice because that's adding in an extra 2 weeks and pretty much removes the dealer from Option 1.
Option 1 isn't necessarily my preferred choice here... but i'd certainly like to keep it open as an option.

It wouldn't be my first choice either More of a back-up plan that doesn't involve using the other car. Getting it fixed is Plan A.

Using car B isn't a hardship, it's a 2018 Focus with 20,000 miles on and a nice thing to drive. It just complicates the world a little for Sliverstone next week as well as Pembrey.

[Count Steer]

I would guess with both those fuses pulled it'd last 5-10 days between driving.. So yes, you're correct in that i COULD use for Silverstone, Alps, Pembrey and fix afterwards... But that's not actually my first choice because that's adding in an extra 2 weeks and pretty much removes the dealer from Option 1.
Option 1 isn't necessarily my preferred choice here... but i'd certainly like to keep it open as an option.

It wouldn't be my first choice either More of a back-up plan that doesn't involve using the other car. Getting it fixed is Plan A.

Using car B isn't a hardship, it's a 2018 Focus with 20,000 miles on and a nice thing to drive. It just complicates the world a little for Sliverstone next week as well as Pembrey.

Ah, I forgot, you aren't taking the bikes to Morzine (IIRC).

[weeksy]

It wouldn't be my first choice either More of a back-up plan that doesn't involve using the other car. Getting it fixed is Plan A.

Using car B isn't a hardship, it's a 2018 Focus with 20,000 miles on and a nice thing to drive. It just complicates the world a little for Sliverstone next week as well as Pembrey.

Ah, I forgot, you aren't taking the bikes to Morzine (IIRC).

The bikes are/were 50-50... but they're not an integral part of this trip. They were a bonus if the boys arm can manage, but we're pretty much decided that's a daft idea at the best of times now anyway, So the bike debate is pretty much off the cards for the short term side of things.

[Treadeager]

You mentioned something not working properly.......? ( Passenger wing mirrors )

My grandaughter bought an 09 plate Ford Ka which seemed perfect in all respects . After several months we too had the dreaded flat battery / parasitic drain problem that neither the garage ( who sold us the vehicle ) nor various specialist auto electrical " specialists " ( including Ford themselves ) could resolve . We did the whole fuse removal thing too . ( This in turn turned on several engine warning lights ) . Annoyingly the windscreen washer failed and I was starting to get exasperated . Whilst having one last desperate attempt to put the vehicle right , the garage replaced the failed windscreen washer pump/motor . Bingo.........all better than good now .

If it were me I'd have a good look at anything , not working as it should . Good Luck

[weeksy]

You mentioned something not working properly.......? ( Passenger wing mirrors )

My grandaughter bough an 09 plate Ford Ka which seemed perfect in all respects . After several months we too had the dreaded flat battery / parasitic drain problem that neither the garage ( who sold us the vehicle ) nor various specialist auto electrical " specialists " ( including Ford themselves ) could resolve . We did the whole fuse removal thing too . ( This in turn turned on several engine warning lights ) . Annoyingly the windscreen washer failed and I was starting to get exasperated . Whilst having one last desperate attempt to put the vehicle right , the garage replaced the failed windscreen washer pump/motor . Bingo.........all better than good now .

If it were me I'd have a good look at anything , not working as it should . Good Luck

Absolutely agree matey.... The mirror motor has 2 components, 1 is the SAM which is the overall control board, the other is the Door Control Unit... which does the Comms from the door to the mirror. We/they suspect the mirror/whatever is the likely culprit and i don't completely disagree... but whether it's the mirror itself, control unit or SAM unit... i don't know

[Felix]

So cant the mirrors stay de fused/No power till you have your trip away (If this is the main issue) and get it sorted when you get back?

[weeksy]

So cant the mirrors stay de fused/No power till you have your trip away (If this is the main issue) and get it sorted when you get back?

the mirror control also does the windows, so yes in theory with maybe a slight complication at Tolls lol. BUt as i say, that potentially adds on 2000 miles and removes the "give me my money back" discussion from the equation with the dealer. I've currently done just over 250 miles in the car, with 90 of them being coming back from his. So the dealer doesn't really have the "you've been using it happily for weeks and thousands of miles" in his arguments... I'm not saying they WOULD use that, but at the moment the mileage backs up that the car has barely moved in my ownership and that i think gives me more in the way of firepower back to them

Unless i'm mistaken in that one ?

I don't necessarily WANT that to happen.... but i do think it works in my favour.

[Yorick]

As a short term fix you could just disconnect the battery terminal when parked up.

[weeksy]

As a short term fix you could just disconnect the battery terminal when parked up.

Short term doesn't really matter to me, we've got other alternatives, options, plans.... it's more a 'all or nothing' scenario here.

[weeksy]

Spoke to dealer.... "can you bring it back and we'll get it fixed here"

Whilst that's not my favourite plan, it is a fair option.

They're then going to bring it back up to me at their time and expense.

[Felix]

I would also have though if using the motor daily with a strong battery then the daily charge would be higher than the drain. I ran about with a 7Ah solar panel on my dash till i could a short/drain in my Convoy.

[Felix]

Spoke to dealer.... "can you bring it back and we'll get it fixed here"

Whilst that's not my favourite plan, it is a fair option.

They're then going to bring it back up to me at their time and expense.

Can it be fixed in time for your Euro Trip? That will be a bonus