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04 Passat battery drain?



 
 
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  #1  
Old June 24th 05, 11:15 AM
D&LBusch
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Posts: n/a
Default 04 Passat battery drain?

I have an 04 Passat. I usually leave the keys in the ignition when I park
it in the garage. Lately the battery drains and requires a jump (twice in
the last week). Does leaving the key in the ignition cause a batery drain
due to something else running that I am unaware of? Thanks in advance -
David


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  #2  
Old June 24th 05, 01:35 PM
Woodchuck
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Default

Not twice in the same week. To reduce the battery drain to a min the car
should be locked so the alarm is set. I'm going to make a guess and say the
radio or radio amp, if it has one is causing your drain.

"D&LBusch" > wrote in message
...
>I have an 04 Passat. I usually leave the keys in the ignition when I park
>it in the garage. Lately the battery drains and requires a jump (twice in
>the last week). Does leaving the key in the ignition cause a batery drain
>due to something else running that I am unaware of? Thanks in advance -
>David
>



  #3  
Old June 25th 05, 06:20 AM
D&LBusch
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Posts: n/a
Default

Would the amp continue to drain while the key is in the ignition. If so,
the fix seems as simple as just removing the key? David
"Woodchuck" > wrote in message
...
> Not twice in the same week. To reduce the battery drain to a min the car
> should be locked so the alarm is set. I'm going to make a guess and say
> the radio or radio amp, if it has one is causing your drain.
>
> "D&LBusch" > wrote in message
> ...
>>I have an 04 Passat. I usually leave the keys in the ignition when I
>>park it in the garage. Lately the battery drains and requires a jump
>>(twice in the last week). Does leaving the key in the ignition cause a
>>batery drain due to something else running that I am unaware of? Thanks
>>in advance - David
>>

>
>



  #4  
Old June 25th 05, 11:48 AM
Woodchuck
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Posts: n/a
Default

NO, once the key is off, it's off and I think the newer radios turn
themselves off after a certain time limit. But I have seen amps that cause
the drain. The difference between locking the car is about a 5-10ma
reduction in draw.


"D&LBusch" > wrote in message
...
> Would the amp continue to drain while the key is in the ignition. If so,
> the fix seems as simple as just removing the key? David
> "Woodchuck" > wrote in message
> ...
>> Not twice in the same week. To reduce the battery drain to a min the car
>> should be locked so the alarm is set. I'm going to make a guess and say
>> the radio or radio amp, if it has one is causing your drain.
>>
>> "D&LBusch" > wrote in message
>> ...
>>>I have an 04 Passat. I usually leave the keys in the ignition when I
>>>park it in the garage. Lately the battery drains and requires a jump
>>>(twice in the last week). Does leaving the key in the ignition cause a
>>>batery drain due to something else running that I am unaware of? Thanks
>>>in advance - David
>>>

>>
>>

>
>



  #5  
Old June 25th 05, 06:01 PM
D&LBusch
external usenet poster
 
Posts: n/a
Default

If I'm understanding this correctly - the battery continues to drain unless
the car is locked? Why would that be? I'm an old Air Cooled guy and I love
this new Passat, but locking the car in my garage seems a bit much. Any
other thoughts. I appreciate the dialogue. Thanks, David
"Woodchuck" > wrote in message
.. .
> NO, once the key is off, it's off and I think the newer radios turn
> themselves off after a certain time limit. But I have seen amps that cause
> the drain. The difference between locking the car is about a 5-10ma
> reduction in draw.
>
>
> "D&LBusch" > wrote in message
> ...
>> Would the amp continue to drain while the key is in the ignition. If so,
>> the fix seems as simple as just removing the key? David
>> "Woodchuck" > wrote in message
>> ...
>>> Not twice in the same week. To reduce the battery drain to a min the car
>>> should be locked so the alarm is set. I'm going to make a guess and say
>>> the radio or radio amp, if it has one is causing your drain.
>>>
>>> "D&LBusch" > wrote in message
>>> ...
>>>>I have an 04 Passat. I usually leave the keys in the ignition when I
>>>>park it in the garage. Lately the battery drains and requires a jump
>>>>(twice in the last week). Does leaving the key in the ignition cause a
>>>>batery drain due to something else running that I am unaware of? Thanks
>>>>in advance - David
>>>>
>>>
>>>

>>
>>

>
>



  #6  
Old June 25th 05, 06:43 PM
Tom's VR6
external usenet poster
 
Posts: n/a
Default

In rec.autos.makers.vw.watercooled, D&LBusch wrote:

>I have an 04 Passat. I usually leave the keys in the ignition when I park
>it in the garage. Lately the battery drains and requires a jump (twice in
>the last week). Does leaving the key in the ignition cause a batery drain
>due to something else running that I am unaware of? Thanks in advance -


I would get access to an ammeter (most multimeters have such a
function, but check the fuse first; many have the meter fuse blown
thru mis-use previously). Turn all car things off. Attach the
positive probe to a chassis ground. Hold the negative probe to the
negative battery terminal while removing the negative battery
terminal.

If you are successful at maintaining continuity thru the meter while
the battery terminal is loose, you will not have to reset the alarm,
clock or radio. The continuity will be maintained thru the meter.

If you read more than 20 ma draw, troubleshoot further. If you have
less than 40 ma draw, replace the battery. If both, do both. Note
that these numbers are off of the top of my head and are not
standard go/no-go tests.

You can try putting the key into the ignition and/or locking the car
to read the difference. But a 40 ma draw should not drain a car
battery in a week.

Put the battery terminal back on, and then remove the meter.

How do you connect meter leads to chassis and negative battery
connection while removing and reinstalling the battery terminal?
Alligator test leads are useful, but it could also be done by 4
coordinated hands.

Other things that might happen:

You could blow the meter fuse if the load is bigger than the fuse
rating.

You could lose contact for a bit and have to reset things.



  #7  
Old June 25th 05, 08:57 PM
Woodchuck
external usenet poster
 
Posts: n/a
Default

All the computers draw a slight amount of current when turned of. Such as
the engine & trans ECU, clock, radio, window ECU, etc, etc, etc. If you
don't lock the car, then it should live several months, maybe longer before
the battery gets drained to the point it can't start the car. If you lock
the car that kinda puts everything to sleep to save battery life. I'm told
even after so long the anti-thief red LED even stops blinking. Never been
told how long that is. MY 99 Passat sets in my garage unlocked and key in
ignition and I never had problems even after several weeks. As for your car,
you got a problem and I think it's going to be a faulty battery(un likely)
or like I said before it's the radio/amp.


"D&LBusch" > wrote in message
...
> If I'm understanding this correctly - the battery continues to drain
> unless the car is locked? Why would that be? I'm an old Air Cooled guy
> and I love this new Passat, but locking the car in my garage seems a bit
> much. Any other thoughts. I appreciate the dialogue. Thanks, David
> "Woodchuck" > wrote in message
> .. .
>> NO, once the key is off, it's off and I think the newer radios turn
>> themselves off after a certain time limit. But I have seen amps that
>> cause the drain. The difference between locking the car is about a 5-10ma
>> reduction in draw.
>>
>>
>> "D&LBusch" > wrote in message
>> ...
>>> Would the amp continue to drain while the key is in the ignition. If so,
>>> the fix seems as simple as just removing the key? David
>>> "Woodchuck" > wrote in message
>>> ...
>>>> Not twice in the same week. To reduce the battery drain to a min the
>>>> car should be locked so the alarm is set. I'm going to make a guess and
>>>> say the radio or radio amp, if it has one is causing your drain.
>>>>
>>>> "D&LBusch" > wrote in message
>>>> ...
>>>>>I have an 04 Passat. I usually leave the keys in the ignition when I
>>>>>park it in the garage. Lately the battery drains and requires a jump
>>>>>(twice in the last week). Does leaving the key in the ignition cause a
>>>>>batery drain due to something else running that I am unaware of?
>>>>>Thanks in advance - David
>>>>>
>>>>
>>>>
>>>
>>>

>>
>>

>
>



  #8  
Old June 25th 05, 09:04 PM
Woodchuck
external usenet poster
 
Posts: n/a
Default

Correct, most VW's fall in the 14-20ma windows except the NB which is near
30-40ma depending the year, engine, options. Still at 40ma draw it would
take a long time to kill the battery. If some electrical math wizard want to
do the math for how long a typical battery can last with 40ma please do.


"Tom's VR6" > wrote in message
...
> In rec.autos.makers.vw.watercooled, D&LBusch wrote:
>
>>I have an 04 Passat. I usually leave the keys in the ignition when I
>>park
>>it in the garage. Lately the battery drains and requires a jump (twice in
>>the last week). Does leaving the key in the ignition cause a batery drain
>>due to something else running that I am unaware of? Thanks in advance -

>
> I would get access to an ammeter (most multimeters have such a
> function, but check the fuse first; many have the meter fuse blown
> thru mis-use previously). Turn all car things off. Attach the
> positive probe to a chassis ground. Hold the negative probe to the
> negative battery terminal while removing the negative battery
> terminal.
>
> If you are successful at maintaining continuity thru the meter while
> the battery terminal is loose, you will not have to reset the alarm,
> clock or radio. The continuity will be maintained thru the meter.
>
> If you read more than 20 ma draw, troubleshoot further. If you have
> less than 40 ma draw, replace the battery. If both, do both. Note
> that these numbers are off of the top of my head and are not
> standard go/no-go tests.
>
> You can try putting the key into the ignition and/or locking the car
> to read the difference. But a 40 ma draw should not drain a car
> battery in a week.
>
> Put the battery terminal back on, and then remove the meter.
>
> How do you connect meter leads to chassis and negative battery
> connection while removing and reinstalling the battery terminal?
> Alligator test leads are useful, but it could also be done by 4
> coordinated hands.
>
> Other things that might happen:
>
> You could blow the meter fuse if the load is bigger than the fuse
> rating.
>
> You could lose contact for a bit and have to reset things.
>
>
>



  #9  
Old June 25th 05, 09:07 PM
buschky
external usenet poster
 
Posts: n/a
Default

thanks for the detailed explanation. Now I'll try and debug the issue.
David
"Woodchuck" > wrote in message
.. .
> All the computers draw a slight amount of current when turned of. Such as
> the engine & trans ECU, clock, radio, window ECU, etc, etc, etc. If you
> don't lock the car, then it should live several months, maybe longer
> before the battery gets drained to the point it can't start the car. If
> you lock the car that kinda puts everything to sleep to save battery life.
> I'm told even after so long the anti-thief red LED even stops blinking.
> Never been told how long that is. MY 99 Passat sets in my garage unlocked
> and key in ignition and I never had problems even after several weeks. As
> for your car, you got a problem and I think it's going to be a faulty
> battery(un likely) or like I said before it's the radio/amp.
>
>
> "D&LBusch" > wrote in message
> ...
>> If I'm understanding this correctly - the battery continues to drain
>> unless the car is locked? Why would that be? I'm an old Air Cooled guy
>> and I love this new Passat, but locking the car in my garage seems a bit
>> much. Any other thoughts. I appreciate the dialogue. Thanks, David
>> "Woodchuck" > wrote in message
>> .. .
>>> NO, once the key is off, it's off and I think the newer radios turn
>>> themselves off after a certain time limit. But I have seen amps that
>>> cause the drain. The difference between locking the car is about a
>>> 5-10ma reduction in draw.
>>>
>>>
>>> "D&LBusch" > wrote in message
>>> ...
>>>> Would the amp continue to drain while the key is in the ignition. If
>>>> so, the fix seems as simple as just removing the key? David
>>>> "Woodchuck" > wrote in message
>>>> ...
>>>>> Not twice in the same week. To reduce the battery drain to a min the
>>>>> car should be locked so the alarm is set. I'm going to make a guess
>>>>> and say the radio or radio amp, if it has one is causing your drain.
>>>>>
>>>>> "D&LBusch" > wrote in message
>>>>> ...
>>>>>>I have an 04 Passat. I usually leave the keys in the ignition when I
>>>>>>park it in the garage. Lately the battery drains and requires a jump
>>>>>>(twice in the last week). Does leaving the key in the ignition cause
>>>>>>a batery drain due to something else running that I am unaware of?
>>>>>>Thanks in advance - David
>>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>
>>>>
>>>
>>>

>>
>>

>
>



  #10  
Old June 25th 05, 10:15 PM
Tom's VR6
external usenet poster
 
Posts: n/a
Default

In rec.autos.makers.vw.watercooled, Woodchuck wrote:

>Correct, most VW's fall in the 14-20ma windows except the NB which is near
>30-40ma depending the year, engine, options. Still at 40ma draw it would
>take a long time to kill the battery. If some electrical math wizard want to
>do the math for how long a typical battery can last with 40ma please do.


Figuring a car battery is maybe 40 to 60 amp hours, we could easily
lose 20 amp hours and still have a lot of power to start the car.

20AH =20000 ma-hours.
So 20000/40 = 1000 hours.

1000 hours/ 160 hours/week => 6.25 weeks.


 




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