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Posted on Oct 08, 2009

1998 110 300tdi CSW - Electrical Short?

Hi, I have a 1998 110 300tdi CSW, I needed a jump start the other day, since replaced battery but goes flat overnight. Suspect I have a short between the battery and the ignition or somewhere in the dreaded spider - any suggestions as to where to start looking or an approach to use?
Many regards

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  • Posted on Oct 08, 2009
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Hi There. One possible approach would be, with the ignition off, remove the fuses one at a time and place a multimeter, set up to measure current, across the fuse terminals. If you do not have a multimeter, a low wattage bulb (5W) with wire attached may work. Some equipment like the stereo will use a few millamps but any significant current draw will identify the circuit responsible. Then use the manual to find which equipment is fed from that fuse or see what equipment does not work with the fuse removed. Mechanical relays can stick causing current drain problems. I wouldn't think there is a direct short because this would blow the fuse in the circuit. The alternator itself can drain a battery if the rectifier starts to break down. As it is difficult to measure current going through the alternator, you could measure the battery voltage while the alternator plug is removed. A small increase in voltage (maybe less than 1 volt) occuring at the same time as the plug removal would suggest current draining through the alternator. The voltage measuring technique can be used for the fuse removal if you prefer. Hope this helps. Good luck!

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Jump Start of Vehicle Battery


IF THE BATTERY YOU ARE USING TO JUMP-START THE VEHICLE HAS RECENTLY BEEN CHARGED IT MAY STILL BE GASSING, COVER THE VENT PLUGS OR COVERS WITH A DAMP CLOTH TO REDUCE THE RISK OF EXPLOSION SHOULD ARCING OCCUR WHEN CONNECTING THE JUMP LEADS.

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Connect the jump leads in the following sequence.
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Connect Positive Jump Lead to Vehicle battery positive terminal.
Connect Negative Jump Lead to Jump Start battery negative terminal.
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Start the vehicle and rev to 2000 rpm, then allow tickover for 5-10 minutes.

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Allow 3-4 minutes recovery time for the leads and Jump Start battery between attempts to start.

Before disconnecting the jump leads, switch on the heated rear screen, to reduce the alternator voltage peak when the leads are removed, as this can damage electronic equipment.

Disconnect the jump leads in the reverse order to the connecting sequence taking great care not to short the ends of the leads.

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Very best regards

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