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battery draining... FAST
Somebody please correct me if I'm wrong, but a fully charge battery should have a voltage of 12.6V.
I believe if you just took it off a charger it might hold a higher level for a short period of time.
So, I guess I'm a little skeptical that your voltage is 13.5 with no alternator in the circuit.
(as a side note the VDO voltmeter in my Scirocco reads about 1V too low. Not the most accurate.)
The cold cranking current is determined by loading the battery till voltage drops to 7.2 Volts and measuring the current after 30 seconds at that load with the battery at 0? F. So, if your battery is getting sucked down to 7.5 V it was seeing one hell of a big current draw!! 8-)
I believe that Lexan seeing 12.2V at the battery with no load after some cranking is not too out of line.
Dan
From: "William Yeckel (Lexmark International)" <b-wiyeck@microsoft.com>
Sent: Wednesday, January 24, 2007 12:50 PM
Subject: RE: battery draining... FAST
The alternator could be the culprit. I have a situation right now where I can get the car to start and run fine when I take the alt. out of the loop, and the battery will hold steady at about 13.5v. But when I put the alt. back in the circuit it drops to about 7.5v within a minute. Then the engine dies. If you have a newer rebuilt alternator it could still be the problem 'cause with those things the only thing that is new is usually the brushes, and there could be a problem with the diodes as well.
-Bill
-----Original Message-----
From: Dan Bubb [mailto:jdbubb@verizon.net]
Sent: Wednesday, January 24, 2007 5:16 AM
To: Lexan Blanchard
Cc: scirocco-l@scirocco.org
Subject: Re: battery draining... FAST
I can see no reason why the upshift relay should effect anything. It takes two inputs, ignition from the coil and the upshift vacuum switch through the tranny switch, and has the one output to the light. Shouldn't effect anything.
You can run the car without the alternator although you should never run the alternator without it connected to the battery. I'd think if you removed the voltage regulator and the blue wire from the back of the alternator, that would disable it and remove it as a potential drain.
As far as your starter, sounds like you need an Allen Socket and a 3/8 breaker bar.
http://www.sears.com/sr/javasr/product.do?cat=Mechanics+Tools&pid=00999177000&vertical=TOOL&subcat=Sockets&BV_UseBVCookie=Yes
From: "Lexan Blanchard" <lexan_122874@hotmail.com>
To: <gforbess@attglobal.net>
Cc: <scirocco-l@scirocco.org>
Sent: Wednesday, January 24, 2007 7:26 AM
Subject: Re: battery draining... FAST
> >Are you sure the battery is being recharged? Thirteen volts with no
>>load doesn't really mean the battery is fully charged. The 12.2
>>you're getting after cranking it a while is more indicative. Did the
>>battery do this when you first installed it?
>
> Forgot to mention that I am having to put battery on charger once it gets
> too low. Sometimes I am impatient (I expect everything to be ready NOW) and
> figure anything above 13 is good to try a start. I will attempt to be more
> patient when waiting on the battery charger ;)
>
>>Be sure to check the voltage regulator and carbon brushes. Too short
>>(less than about 3/8") or not shiny on the contact surface can cause
>>inadequate charging.
>
> Would a bad voltage regulator drain a battery that quickly just when trying
> to start? Remember, the car still does not start, and definitely does not
> run. It has all the necessities, but is not cooperating. Someone local
> here (not a reliable source) told me a bad alternator could zap the battery
> on start-up, but I am only going to pull that if you guys agree (no signs
> that it is bad).
>
> Also, I noticed I am missing a relay, I believe the upshift indicator relay.
> I am guessing this is one of those items that is NOT available at my local
> VW dealer or Auto Zone. Do I have to have it? I can drive a manual without
> one (never had an idiot light for shifting before).
>
> Thanks again,
> Lexan
>
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