3.5A drain w/ all fuses out!

[Mɐʇʇ]

Yeh, plastic trim and a long 10mm (IIRC) 1/4" socket to to get to the rear bolt. Just be careful not to drop it.

[SuprSi]

Cheers fellas

[SuprSi]

FUxxxng car!!!

I guess a lot of us know how frustrating intermittent electrical problems are, I had the classic this weekend/morning. Over the weekend I spent most the day checking the car over with VCDS/multimeter etc... The code for the intermittent fault on the radiator fan no. 2 was back so I suspect that's the culprit, however at the time there was no load on the battery. With everything locked and left for a while it was down to 60mA. Perfect.

I tried doing the functional tests with VCDS and the radiator 1 fan works but no. 2 doesn't do anything. I need to see if i can get to the connector without pulling the entire front of the car off.

So after giving up and hoping the drain didn't come back I went for a hoon in the evening with a mate (even after a year the car still astonishes me!), left the battery connected overnight with no life support.. you can guess, it was bloody flat this morning!!!

[Shoppinit]

I feel your pain. Intermittent issues are the worst to track down.

It does sound like your fan module is doing something odd. It's the small fan, right? I guess you could replace it and see if that sorts it. They ain't cheap though. Either way, it needs replacing / repairing...

[Mɐʇʇ]

Just by the PS reservoir tank under the plastic cover is where all the connectors for the front end/fans etc are . Disconnect these (they're all quick release) and see if the drain goes away.

FUxxxng car!!!

I guess a lot of us know how frustrating intermittent electrical problems are, I had the classic this weekend/morning. Over the weekend I spent most the day checking the car over with vcds/multimeter etc... The code for the intermittent fault on the radiator fan no. 2 was back so I suspect that's the culprit, however at the time there was no load on the battery. With everything locked and left for a while it was down to 60mA. Perfect.

I tried doing the functional tests with vcds and the radiator 1 fan works but no. 2 doesn't do anything. I need to see if i can get to the connector without pulling the entire front of the car off.

So after giving up and hoping the drain didn't come back I went for a hoon in the evening with a mate (even after a year the car still astonishes me!), left the battery connected overnight with no life support.. you can guess, it was bloody flat this morning!!!

[SuprSi]

Thanks Shop, yeah you're right, needs doing anyway.

Just by the PS reservoir tank under the plastic cover is where all the connectors for the front end/fans etc are . Disconnect these (they're all quick release) and see if the drain goes away.

Ah, nice one Matt, you've probably just saved me a couple of hours!

[bilko1]

The fan control unit is on the underside of the chassis leg on the passenger side. It is a nightmare to get to bumper off and maybe intercoolers I can't remember but I did put a picture up here somewhere.

[SuprSi]

So I've finally diagnosed this, it's the Alternator. I disconnected it while I was doing an oil change and the current dropped to 0.10A after left to settle for a couple of mins. Re-connected and the 3.5A drain is back. I'm sooooo glad I've finally figured this out, especially since I didn't have to pay a garage.

So the question now... Eurocarparts has a Bosch and Lucas alternator, normally I'd go straight for the Bosch part, but it's £481!!! The Lucas one is £306. Is Lucas still considered a good brand? It doesn't say anything on there about a warranty but I'd imagine it'll have a warranty for a year or so, right? And labour isn't an issue as a friend will help me do this, and I'll replace the rad fan at the same time.

I'm leaning towards the Lucas one but if they fail a lot I'll get the Bosch. Thanks

[bam_bam]

I had mine re-cored for £120. I didn't want to but the indy said it'd be fine. It has, so far.

[SuprSi]

Thanks Bam. Hmmm, that's an interesting option. I think it's just the regulator on the back, it actually charges perfectly but allows current to flow back when the engine's not running. I wonder if that part is replacable.

[Shoppinit]

I'd just get a new one. I would probably get the Lucas one.

[Mɐʇʇ]

Probably one of the diodes failed in the rectifier.

http://www.carparts4less.co.uk/search/401442931/p/home
This is a Lucas one, mine now has one of these fitted. Quality was fine, but I noticed the regulator assembly was not genuine bosch.

As it happens, the connector was damaged by the postman so I replaced the regulator asseembly with a Genuine Bosch one, because I could. The "1 sold" is me, I think:
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Alternator-Re ... OC:GB:3160

So you "might" be able to fix it for 45 quid. Happy Days.

[bam_bam]

Thanks Bam. Hmmm, that's an interesting option. I think it's just the regulator on the back, it actually charges perfectly but allows current to flow back when the engine's not running. I wonder if that part is replacable.

Ahhh, of course. I should've taken notice of the symptoms.

[SuprSi]

Cheers Shopp and Bam, I'm going to give Matt's idea a try and get a new regulator.
Spot on Matt! Good find.

[einhorn]

That's what mine was. Of course when that was fixed and it was providing the right charge. Then starter died.