Date:         Mon, 8 Feb 1999 14:44:14 +0100
Reply-To:     Per Lindgren <lindgre@ONLINE.NO>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         Per Lindgren <lindgre@ONLINE.NO>
Subject:      Re: Battery Leakage
Comments: To: Sylvie Scott <simon.paquette@VIDEOTRON.CA>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=us-ascii

Sylvie Scott wrote:

> Volks Vanagon Transporter 1986, 2.1 litre water cooled engine.
>
> Engine will not start after 10-12 hours inactive.  Starter turns but voltage
> to distributor sender unit is too low (8V when minimum is 10V), outcome is
> no
> fuel, no spark from control unit.  Control unit wiring checked OK.
> Troubleshooting revealed a leakage of 30-40 mA from the battery with
> ignition switched off and all fuses removed (maximum allowable is 3mA).  No
> starting
> problem with fully charged battery.
> Any experience on where and how to check where this leakage origin from???
>
> Thanks a million,
>
> Pierre Paquette

Hi Pierre!

I have seen this problem in several cars, and what has mostly fixed it is
replacement of the diodes in the alternator, or changing the alternator in full,
either with a new or replaced alternator. The diodes inside the alternator can
leak, and drain the battery quite quickly. Check with an ammeter if there is a
leakage, and repair or replace.

PerL
88 Syncro