Battery Drain (5.14a Whilst Ignition Is OFF) - Is This Normal?

[EViS]

My Ibiza 1.4 (2001)'s battery constantly drains when the car is not used for more than 24 hours. Turning the ignition doesn't even get the alternator firing up, completely dead! A jump start always solves this.

I did some tests today which revealed the following:

Fuses (ignition OFF):

I checked for drain per fuse whilst the ignition was OFF:

Fuse 2 - Engine / Engine Electronics 15: 4.45a
Fuse 10 - Control Panel / Diagnostics / Central Locking Alarm Electronics 5: 5.14a
Fuse 29 - Radio / CD 15: 5.11a

All other fuses were at 0a.

Q a) Is the above current drain per fuse normal?

Battery:

Ignition OFF: 12.37v across the battery terminals
Ignition ON: 14v across the battery terminals

This means the battery (1 year old) is in good shape and the alternator is working and charging the battery when the ignition is ON.

However, I then disconnected the Negative from the battery and put this in line with my meter:

Ignition OFF (Fuses 2, 10 and 29 removed): 5.14a
Ignition OFF (Fuses 2, 10 and 29 plugged in): circa 5a (didn't write the actual current down but it didn't change much from above)

What's Draining The Battery?:

Q b) With the three fuses in question removed, why is the battery still showing a 5.14a drain? Surely it should be 0a (well nearly 0a)?
Q c) With the three fuses in question connected, why is the battery still showing a circa 5a drain, shouldn't it be 14.7a (the sum of the drain per fuse)?
Q d) At first I thought it might be the Radio turning itself ON and thus draining the battery (as is the common fault with this car), however now I am unsure... What the hell is going on and where do I go from here?

Any advice much appreciated fellas .

 

[EViS]

This morning I removed ALL the fuses including the 3 at the battery and the 4 relays above the fuse box. The current drain was still 5.14a!

So, either this is normal (sounds like a lot to me though and the battery does drain itself very fast), or there is a short somewhere (where would I begin to look?), or the is an earthing problem (where are all the earth points?). Would really appreciate some assistance here chaps.

 

[RichN]

What a methodical approach.. very unusual for a forum

I would personally start with the radio.. if you disconnect it entirely (at the back of the radio) does the current draw drop off?

I'll measure mine for you but I have a flat battery after not starting for a week.. never had to remove it, I think tomorrow's the day to buy a new one, ever removed it?

 

[EViS]

Hi Rich, thanks for the reply! Ever removed the radio or battery? The latter yes, former no. But this seems easy to follow:

3. centre console
take the centre unit out. 2 screws at the bottom, and then pull off and remove the ribbon cable. take the metal aircon/headunit out and undo the connections on the back.
the heater control at the bottom needs to come off with a torx screwdriver as well

Why would the radio still be draining power once the fuse has been removed?

 

[dholdi]

I guess the radio would also have a permanent live to retain station memory, code etc.
I would have thought this would still be fused though, maybe a different one ?

 

[EViS]

I guess the radio would also have a permanent live to retain station memory, code etc.
I would have thought this would still be fused though, maybe a different one ?

Took the radio out today, unplugged all the wires at the back and removed the 10a fuse. Still seeing a 5a current drain!

Anywhere I can view all the earthing points on the vehicle? Can only find two in the engine bay which I have already cleaned up and made sure are secure.