I think i have a battery drain. any common places to start?

[radio9phs]

As per the techniques suggested above, my battery drain trouble shooting led me to discover the drain was due to the interior dome light circuit being "on" with two dead bulbs.

[Simeon]

I am having a similar problem. I replaced the alternator a few weeks ago and replaced the battery today. What does the "L" warning light indicate? I was told it meant a low battery. That light still comes on with the new fully charged battery.

Tom

The 'L' light (not that I know the literal translation from German) is the alternator or charge light and doesn't say anything about the state of the battery apart from there being a voltage relative to the output of the alternator. If the alternator is charging the voltage difference across the bulb is reduced to the point it goes out.

If the light is out your alternator may be charging while the engine is running. If the light is on while the engine is running then the alternator may not be charging. The light goes on and off with the ignition key while the engine is not running.

This is what I tell learner drivers.

Edited August 13, 2013 by Simeon

[sl0ride]

Instead of a multimeter you can also use a test light in series with one of the leads. If the test light glows with the car off you have a draw. Pull fuses until it turns off or dims then look into that circuit.  

[baller908790]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KF1gijj03_0

[jscaptura1]

+1 to radio9phs,  I had the same problem on my '70 1600.  It turned out the plunger in the door was not working proprtly and was leaving the dome light on if the door was not completely shut.  A little lubrication on the plunger and a change of the dome bulb solved the problem.

[Catman]

Instead of a multimeter you can also use a test light in series with one of the leads. If the test light glows with the car off you have a draw. Pull fuses until it turns off or dims then look into that circuit.  

I worked in a battery - alternator shop for years and this is how its done- get a test light -best tool in the box for hunting down " Gremlins".A light 1 wire and a sharp point. Keep it simple stupid.

Catman

[mikesmith]

The 'L' light (not that I know the literal translation from German)

 

"Laden"