need some help with my real car!!! (imobiliser?)

[Nightmage82]

there's something wrong with the electrics i think. the car is a 1988 vauxhall (opel) astra. a few weeks ago the battery totally died and i replaced it, after about two weeks it's dead again. it's currently recharging in my livingroom but i want to identify the fault before it happens again.

i don't think its using battery power whilst its driving since i've had that problem before and the battery light was always on etc. the only other thing i can think of is the car alarm + imobiliser. it has been playing up recently and it makes weird noises when u flick the in-car switch so i wanted to removed it. does anyone know how to remove an (aftermarket) imobiliser? it wasn't fitted by the manufacturer but not by me either. im weary of just cutting the cables if it has some intricate anti-theft thing employed... any help would be appreciated

thanks

 

[Frustrated Palm]

Try taking it to some car expert thing, or a trusted car shop. Or even the Vauxhall dealer...

 

[StevieMo]

For the battery thing it could be your alternator.

 

[vat_man]

Originally posted by StevieMo
For the battery thing it could be your alternator.

Yeah - given the age of the car it time-wise this diagnosis would be a pretty good chance. The immobiliser problems might be arising because of the battery not getting charged by the alternator.

 

[Nightmage82]

ok... the immobiliser was fitted 14 years ago, im therefore assuming that it's not anything sophisticated, i've taken a look and there appears to be one wire that i can easily disconnect, im going to reconnect the battery then take that out and see what happens ;P

but i dont think its the alternator as far as im aware it was replaced recenetly, as was the coil...

 

[BMW POWER]

my cousin has a 91 astra gte with the exact same problem, he also had an imobiliser and just cut the wires to disconnect it, he also replaced the battery and alternator and it still has the same problem. we've tried everything and it still does it so am just as stuck as you are i think hes taking it to a specialist to get sorted out so i'll tell you what they said when i next see him

 

[thinkers]

You need to perform a current draw test.Here is a basic backyard test:Make sure all accessories are off. Disconnect the NEGATIVE terminal of your battery.Connect a test light between the battery Negative post and the disconnected terminal, if the test light glows brightly, you have a current draw. Pull fuses one at a time, if the light goes out then you have isolated the affected circuit. It is normal to have some parasitic draw, if the test light glows very dimly.You may have to disconnect components , alternator, to isolate the draw.

 

[Nightmage82]

Originally posted by thinkers
You need to perform a current draw test.Here is a basic backyard test:Make sure all accessories are off. Disconnect the NEGATIVE terminal of your battery.Connect a test light between the battery Negative post and the disconnected terminal, if the test light glows brightly, you have a current draw. Pull fuses one at a time, if the light goes out then you have isolated the affected circuit. It is normal to have some parasitic draw, if the test light glows very dimly.You may have to disconnect components , alternator, to isolate the draw.

superb i will try that, any idea where i can get a light from that can take that kind of ampage/wattage?

oh and bmw power thanks too i guess im not the only one with this dilemma heh, i left the battery connected all night and i think its dead i'll go and check it out after breakfast.

 

[thinkers]

I'm assuming your car is a 12 volt negative ground system. All you need is a 12 volt test light. Any auto parts store will have one. There won't be that much of an amperage draw. A 3 to 4 amp draw will suck a battery down overnight.Remember when doing this test , don't turn anything on.

 

[Nightmage82]

ok sure thanks. i was thinking of using my multimeter but the battery says 335 amps on it and my multimeter says 10 maximum so its probably not wise to connect it right?

 

[Nightmage82]

right tried that bulb thing and it says that close to nothing is using power when the engine is off.

it doesn't light when u just connect it but you can hear the clock ticking, if you open the door or turn the radio on it lights very brightly.

does anyone have any other ideas what it could be???