Where does the live feed from the battery go to?

[Jakey]

I've had battery problems with my XE Nova for a few months and have now (kind of) found the problem.

If you put a multimeter across the battery when its running it shows 14+ volts, that's fine.

When you turn the car off and leave the meter on the battery, it loses charge at a substantial rate until it's completely dead.

Finally found the problem to be the main feed that goes into the car, behind the dash and splits off into 5/6, thinner red wires.

I've tried pulling each fuse out 1 by 1 to no avail, the charge still drops.

So next of the list is to remove the dash and find out what these red wires go to.

Has anybody had this problem before or know what this thick red wire splits off into?

Many thanks.

[Royston]

Are you sure the battery isnt stuffed, does it die in minutes or hours?

what is the current draw with everything off?

[Jakey]

The battery is brand new, the problem is deffinatly whatever the red cable goes to.

When the cars been running it stays at 12v when nothings connected. As soon as the red cable is attached it drops a ton and keeps going.

[novacabrio]

I'd try a new battery. Possible that it isn't holding its charge rather than a drain on it. The large red wire that comes from the batter runs to the fuse box to power all the cars electrics and to the starter motor.

Could also be possible that LEDs from an alarm could be taking some of the volts

[novacabrio]

Try reconnecting the fuses one by one? Also test the battery. New batterys can still be faulty

[Jakey]

The battery was replaced because it killed the old one and it's done the same to this one.

The battery is holding its charge when its not got the red cable attached..

The car also has no alarm.

[Royston]

Has the wiring been messed with

Main red cable should go to the starter first and then a sprag to feed the main loom, are things getting hot?

Alternator connected properly?

Both of the above aren't fused!

interior light/radio are always live

[Jakey]

The wiring is fine. Ive had it running since June until about a month ago when it just wouldnt start one morning.

There's already a wire going to the starter, this is a seperate one.

Alternators fine

Interior light goes off, no radio.

[bmw156]

how long did it take to kill the new battery?

maybe the alternator is fooked...

[Jakey]

About a week. Used everyday for about 10-15miles. Then one day, nothing.