Ford Bantam 1.3i (2007) Parasitic Drain 190mA
Asked by CybercideZA Apr 19, 2012 at 09:26 AM about the Ford Bantam
Question type: Maintenance & Repair
If I leave my Bantam for more than 2 days the battery drains and I need to jump start it. I have disconnected the fuses under the steering wheel but the drain is still 190mA. I have a alarm and separate tracker also installed. Any ideas where the drain is coming from? Help Please.
5 Answers
aztec626bf answered 12 years ago
Your fuse idea was the right way to go. Since you are knowledgeable on basic DC circuits leave your amp meter hooked up and one by one pull fuses until you can eliminate or reduce drain. This should show the faulty system so you have it narrowed down. One other thing to check is the top of battery. If you have any amount of electrolyte on top of battery this can produce an electrical path and slowly drain battery.
CybercideZA answered 12 years ago
I have tried different ways. I have connected amp meter between negative pole on battery and battery connector then removed fuses one by one and alo with all fuses out but the draw is still same 190mA. There is nothing on battery. Battery top is clean. is there another fuse box in the bantam that is hidden that i can check ?
aztec626bf answered 12 years ago
Just a suggestion.....I would get a Haynes manual for your vehicle (about $30). These manuals have fairly detailed schematics that would help you more than I can on posts. I have a Haynes manual for all my vehicles Good luck
Have you fitted a ' Tracker ' or Satellite tracking device to this vehicle ? In this case that is what will happen. These vehicles do not need the extra immobilizer devices as the PATS system on this vehicle is quite adequate. The 'Extra ' Immobilizer will affect the drivability and starting of this vehicle. Remove the Tracker and extra Ommo device. The Tracker WILL cause at least a 3 Amp current draw on your system
I am surprised no one figured this out? You have current flowing even after pulling all fuses? Where does that current go? Into the part of the wiring WHICH IS NOT FUSED! The thick wire from batt. pos. to the batt. pos. terminal of the starter solenoid (that's a dead end, no current can flow there) and to the batt. pos. terminal of the alternator! The voltage regulator has a rectifier diode which prevents current from flowing through the field coils of the alternator once the engine is switched off. That diode is sayonara. You either need a rectifier / voltage regulator for your alternator if it is a unit which is replaceable separately or a complete new alternator.
