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355 power drain

Discussion in '348/355' started by TrojanFan, Feb 12, 2015.

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  1. TrojanFan

    TrojanFan F1 Veteran
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    Peter
    #1 TrojanFan, Feb 12, 2015
    My 355 seems to have a constant battery drain. Its a new battery but if I go for more than a week to 10 days the battery is drained. Not completely but enough to not turn over. I have the problem handled with my ctek charger but it would be nice to know what's causing the drain.

    Anyone have this problem and ideas on the cause?
     
  2. yelcab

    yelcab F1 World Champ
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    Mitchell Le
    #2 yelcab, Feb 12, 2015
    Mine is similar. It is an old battery, I just keep the charger plugged in
     
  3. drbob101

    drbob101 F1 Rookie
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    Bob Ferraris
    #3 drbob101, Feb 12, 2015
    After market radio?
     
  4. Rifledriver

    Rifledriver Three Time F1 World Champ

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    Brian Crall
    #4 Rifledriver, Feb 12, 2015
    Non original electrical equipment is the biggest offender here.

    Do you have a VOM or any way to measure amperage in the milliamp range?
     
  5. Schatten

    Schatten F1 World Champ
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    #5 Schatten, Feb 12, 2015
    Anything from Porsches to Ferraris, they all have this problem. Heck, Porsches are so bad at it, the ECU forgets it has stuff like HomeLink and you'll have to pay the dealer to reprogram that option.

    But follow Brian's suggestions. He's the expert on these cars.
     
  6. emac

    emac Formula Junior
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    ernest
    #6 emac, Feb 12, 2015
    Does it drain with the battery switch off? I would consider removing the battery, charging it and load testing. That should let you know if the battery is good. It may be the battery, even though it is "new".

    If you are chasing an electrical drain. Put a VOM on the battery and start removing fuses and watch the VOM. Maybe you can narrow it down to one circuit.

    Not on the 355, but I had an electric drain that turned out to an electric seat switch that was shorted and killing the battery.
     
  7. TrojanFan

    TrojanFan F1 Veteran
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    #7 TrojanFan, Feb 14, 2015
    All standard electrical equipment on the car including the stereo. No drain if I shut the battery master off but I'm not looking to do that all the time. If I drive the car every week, no problem. If I go 2 weeks then the battery is drained. Maybe she's just telling me I need to drive her more. The easy solution is the trickle charger which I do but maybe when I have some time, I should use a meter and attempt to track down the drain.
     
  8. johnk...

    johnk... F1 World Champ
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    #8 johnk..., Feb 15, 2015
    I never understand the objection to using the battery master switch. I use my car only on weekend and I cut the battery off very Sunday regardless of how long I expect the car to sit.
     
  9. yelcab

    yelcab F1 World Champ
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    #9 yelcab, Feb 15, 2015
    It means you have to let the car idle and relearn again the next time instead of just driving off.
     
  10. bobzdar

    bobzdar F1 Veteran

    Sep 22, 2008
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    #10 bobzdar, Feb 15, 2015
    Mine does the same, takes 2-3 weeks. I just shut the battery off if I know it's going to sit more than 2 weeks.
     
  11. johnk...

    johnk... F1 World Champ
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    #11 johnk..., Feb 15, 2015
    Last edited: Feb 15, 2015
    Yes, and that's a problem because....? I start the car, check the tires and pressures, open the rear deck, check the oil, listen to how it's running, check for leaks, look under the car... By then it's ready to go. It's called planning.

    ....and check the coolant.
     
  12. fatbillybob

    fatbillybob Two Time F1 World Champ
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    #12 fatbillybob, Feb 15, 2015

    That is way too much maintenance. It's a car. Once sorted you should be able to just get in turn key and drive off. Only a few seem to think periods of long idle warmup are the way to go. In Pete's case he has too much parasitic drain. The answer should be found. Those things never heal themselves.
     
  13. ready321now

    ready321now Formula Junior

    Jan 5, 2013
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    New Jersey
    #13 ready321now, Feb 17, 2015
    Same here. Finally got a battery tender. Was happy to see the lead already hooked up to the battery from the previous owner.
     

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