2 replies to this topic

[davidh]

Yesterday morning I went to go out in the car (suzuki grand vitara) and ...nothing!
Tried a jump start...nothing. Removed battery and put screwdriver across terminals..dead as a dodo. One new battery later and mobile. Not for long...4 hours later dead again. Further investigation shows a dead short somewhere..phoned my mechanic...he's on route to Manchester. So, he says 90% of the time it is the alternator shorting out, so disconnected that and tried meter from positive battery lead to earth ...still a short. So the other 10% of the time you remove the fuses one by one until you find the faulty circuit. Several fuses (relays and other electrical connections later) still a dead short. Crawled all around the motor with a torch looking for any damaged wiring...nothing apparent. Put in the original battery, quick try of all the electrics, all working, no smoke, but still a dead short somewhere.

Any sensible suggestions welcome...otherwise its off to another garage tomorrow, thats if any of them up here are open tomorrow

[panelbeaterpeter]

Sounds like the alternator isn't doing it's job. Was the four hours after driving or just being left to sit turned off?

[davidh]

Its just sitting...definately a dead short somewhere