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        General >> Problems >> ABS and Battery drain, confused dot com
        
(Message started by: tel on Feb 17^th, 2006, 8:23pm)

Title: ABS and Battery drain, confused dot com
Post by tel on Feb 17^th, 2006, 8:23pm

Hi all. My first post and it’s a good un! Shouldn’t be too much of a problem for you experts though.

Haven't owned a Granada since early 80's, best car I ever had, ex Rolls Royce fleet car until it was nicked. Anyway became a Scorpio owner a few weeks back and have a problem that’s driving me nuts.

The car was bought as a non starter, supposedly injector problems and duff battery. Bought new battery and it started fine but cut out. Changed the IACV and all was well, except that I noticed the ABS light was on, and battery would discharge over night.

Connected a multimeter between the battery + terminal and the battery + cable and set the meter to amps and started pulling fuses. Before pulling fuses the reading was 5.0 to 5.5 amps. It turned out there were 3 fuses that reduced the reading. Fuse 19 (Headlamp Washer) reduced it by approx 0.7, Fuse 46 (ABS) reduced it by 1.3, and Fuse 47 (ABS) reduced it by 3.6. With all three fuses removed I have a reading of 0.04 amps, which I guess is probably the clock or radio codes. ABS light is still on even with the 2 fuses removed.
As far as the ABS is concerned I have a resistance reading of 1050 at each wheel sensor and the module multiplug appears to be dry and secure.

Any Idea what the "battery saver relay" is supposed to do? I do hope someone can help so that I can start enjoying the Scorpio experience. Many thanks for reading.

Title: Re: ABS and Battery drain, confused dot com
Post by Simmo on Feb 17^th, 2006, 8:57pm

The first place to look if you have a problem is here.http://www.fordscorpio.co.uk/faultfinds.htm. Whilst this may not answer all your current queries it is a starting point. The ABS page is here http://www.fordscorpio.co.uk/abssystem.htm. Perhaps that will help.

Title: Re: ABS and Battery drain, confused dot com
Post by Dave on Feb 17^th, 2006, 8:59pm

Hi,

welcome to the site! :)

First thing I would check is for any corrosion or similar on the fuse box terminals. Do you have the battery and fuse box covers?

Cheers

Title: Re: ABS and Battery drain, confused dot com
Post by tel on Feb 17^th, 2006, 10:21pm

Many thanks for your promp replies. :)
Simmo - The two links you provided I have already worked through and they have got me this far but no solution yet.
Dave - Both fuse boxes have good tight covers and the battery cover is also present. Fuse box terminals look good as far as I can tell without stripdown - not something to take on lightly I think.

Any ideas on what could cause the drain of amps, is it likely to be a wiring short somewhere that is affecting both the ABS circuit and the headlamp washer circuit, and what is the "battery saver relay" supposed to do?

Thank goodness for this site, where would we be without it!

Title: Re: ABS and Battery drain, confused dot com
Post by Snoopy on Feb 18^th, 2006, 7:37am

The battery saver switches off the current to everything except the radio to keep the code alive AFAIK its for when the car is left parked for long periods it shuts it ALL down.

It explains it in the handbook.

Have you checked the alternator for the source of the drain.
Failing diodes are a common cause of this .

Title: Re: ABS and Battery drain, confused dot com
Post by tel on Feb 18^th, 2006, 10:52am

Thanks Snoopy, the drain is not coming from the alternator cable but the one that goes into the fusebox next to the battery, and the drain disappears when you pull fuses 19, 46 and 47. The alternator charges in the high 13v.

Fuse 46 and 47 are for the ABS, and the ABS light stays on after starting, must be related? Cruise control not functioning either. The cc electronic actuator is in front of the ABS module and above the r/h headlamp washer (fuse 19). I wonder if its a loom problem!

Title: Re: ABS and Battery drain, confused dot com
Post by Snoopy on Feb 18^th, 2006, 4:24pm

If that the case then I would check that ALL the drain channels are clear of debris and then look to checking out the fuse box. With regards the ABS the most common cause of the light staying on is the plugs under the front wheel arches. Although I have heard of metal debris being found attached to the magnetic acutuator ring. I clean mine once or twice a year with a running hose from behind.
Also could be Loom damage .. With regards the CC the module is behind the drivers headlamp and has a seperate cable linking to the throtttle.. It is possible for this to become disconnected.
Do you et light acrivation light on the dash when it is supposed to be engaged????