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Thread: Coolant Alarm low voltage problem

  1. 13th June 2010, 05:13 PM #1
    chev28
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    Coolant Alarm low voltage problem

    I have had a coolant alarm now for a few years and it has worked good (but I have never had it go off).

    Anyway, ever since I have had it I have noticed that whenever the battery suffers a bit of a voltage drop overnight (eg in winter in Canberra), the self test beep can last a few seconds in the morning. Once the battery has topped up and the car is restarted later in the day, the self test only emits the normal short "bip" when starting.

    At the moment, I am again fighting subzero overnight and the battery voltage can drop a bit overnight. This is not helped by a new immobiliser which I think is also takinging a current draw overnight.

    In the morning, the car starts fine (a bit slow) but once the car has started. the self test alarm continues for about 3-5 minutes!

    During this time, the alarm will fluctuate when you put on the blinker and also stop momentarily when you put on the brake light.

    I suspect the problem is the self test routing not getting enough voltage? Has anyone else had the same problem?

    The battery is only a couple of years old and yes I will get to the bottom of the voltage drop problem. However, the voltage drop is not that serious as the car will start fine. I thought there may be a way of installing a resistor or something.
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  2. 13th June 2010, 05:25 PM #2
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    adonuff
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    Hi My D2 TD5 is doing the same but not for as long as yours, it is slightly reluctant to start on cold mornings and the alarm goes for a split second longer. Also my ABS, TC and HD lights come back on for a second after start up and then go out.

    There are no logged faults and once I have driven for a few klm's I can stop and restart as many times as I like with no warning lights or slightly longer audible warning?

    The battery is just over a year old but in the mornings shows about 11. 7 volts. The alt has just been replaced. I suspect the battery is on the way out?
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  3. 13th June 2010, 05:30 PM #3
    chev28
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    Yes, my battery is nearly 2 years old but I think the cold is taking its toll. It does start though.
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  4. 14th June 2010, 10:09 AM #4
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    adonuff
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    Went out this morning, and no start, M&S lights flashing. Battery showed 11.5V. Did a search on the forum and found out this could be either a gearbox fault or low battery.

    Charged battery, all is well lights all gone. Will now have to check if the battery is still ok or is there a current draw thats not supposed to be there.

    Anyone tell me how to check if there is a current draw??

    Discovery has only been doing short trips due to my new company car Think this has not helped. Will put a small solar panel on to see if that will keep the battery charged.
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  5. 14th June 2010, 06:22 PM #5
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    bee utey
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    Quote Originally Posted by adonuff View Post

    Anyone tell me how to check if there is a current draw??

    Discovery has only been doing short trips due to my new company car Think this has not helped. Will put a small solar panel on to see if that will keep the battery charged.
    Get a multi meter. Set it to 10A range. Connect one meter cable to your battery cable, hold the other to middle of the battery terminal where the battery cable connects. Carefully disconnect and lift up the terminal, while reading the meter. With all electrics off and maintaining contact with the meter you will see a steady discharge reading of some fraction of an amp. Multiply this by the number of hours between trips and you will have some idea of the amp-hours you are losing.
    A solar panel needs full sun to produce its rated output. A power cord and a suitable small battery charger might be more reliable.
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  6. 19th June 2010, 05:26 PM #6
    chev28
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    Taking out the probe and giving it a clean with emery paper fixed it!
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