Timmie

current leakage when cold or snowy.

it seems like I have somekind of current leakage, but it only shows up when its very cold outside. I had to drive almost 40km highway before my voltage would go over 12.9V after that it would slowly go up to 14.7V and stay there.
I noticed it last year but by the time I could do anything about it the cold wheater stopped and it magicly dissapeared.
but since my car is now @ the bodyshop ( buddy that works after hours )
he hasnt had time to work on the car, so once a week he starts it to reload the battery and stuf, but it looks like last time the battery was completely drained.


to keep it short,
if its cold/snowy, the car developes a current leakage.

Rolling Thunder

Probably just a bad battery. They only technically last like 5 years or so and if your battery is marginal youll get by fine in the summer but once the temp drops that is where it really shows it age.

Timmie

battery almost 2 years old and is doing a very, very good job.

Rolling Thunder

Still I would recommend getting the battery load tested. Many auto parts stores will do this for free so its not a big hassle. After you confirm the battery is good the only option you have left is to start measuring current draws on the battery when the cars off. To do this simply remove either the positive or negative battery cable and use an amp meter to measure the current draw. If its too high then start pulling fuses one by one and see if pulling any of the fuses cause the current draw to drop substantially. This would narrow down your problem to something manageable.

Timmie

Dude, its NOT the battery

Timmie

I know what batteries do in the cold. but trust me its a curernt leakage.
de battery cranks like normal if its charged, you can keep ita couple of weeks outside in the cold, without it being connected to the car.
then connect it back to the car,and it will start just fine.
it also has more then enough cranking amps.
but it looks like when its cold and snowy, the car HAS a current leak.
looks like it has something to do with moisture or water or something

bitchin_buick

It's happening when It's cold out cause on top over normal things running (radio and headlights, I drive to work in the dark) Most likely you have your heater fan kickin', rear defrost, and sometimes the wipers also. At a stop light/slow speeds mine drops around 12 also. Nothing I've ever been concerned about.....

Timmie

those 40 km last year where acutally 180km total, all highway at 80mph. no traffic, heater blowing on low speed, lights on, radio playing ( no subwoofer )
no rear defrost, I almost never use it.

bitchin_buick

Did ya pull the Alt. and have it tested?

Timmie

got 2 alts, I know the 1 thats on it is good, it can deliver a steady 14,7V
in normal warm dry wheater.

bitchin_buick

If your confident in your battery and Alt then I'm stumped. ...