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        General >> Problems >> Front Window Heater draining battery
        
(Message started by: Invicta on Jun 9^th, 2010, 9:34pm)

Title: Front Window Heater draining battery
Post by Invicta on Jun 9^th, 2010, 9:34pm

The original heated front window was replaced with an unheated one and for some reason the heater won't switch off and keeps draining the battery.

Can anyone please let me know how I switch it off/deactivate it?

Any help or advice with this will be very much appreciated.

Many thanks,
Bernard

Title: Re: Front Window Heater draining battery
Post by tonyboy on Jun 9^th, 2010, 9:57pm

You could try and take out the fuses 38 and 41 in the battery side fuse box...........

Title: Re: Front Window Heater draining battery
Post by Invicta on Jun 10^th, 2010, 7:43am

Tonyboy,

Many thanks for such a quick reply.
I'll give it a go and post back.

Cheers,
Bernard

Title: Re: Front Window Heater draining battery
Post by martin_rowe on Jun 10^th, 2010, 8:34am

classic wet fuse box problem.

Title: Re: Front Window Heater draining battery
Post by Invicta on Jun 13^th, 2010, 11:57am

Martin,

That's interesting - the battery, which is less than 2 months old, "died" after some very heavy rain.
So we have dried everything out and taken the fuses out.

I've put my multimeter on the battery and everything now seems to be fine.

Thank you for your help with this. It's good to have the Ultima back running,
Bernard

Title: Re: Front Window Heater draining battery
Post by Simmo on Jun 13^th, 2010, 12:14pm

Have a read of This article (http://www.fordscorpio.co.uk/battery.htm) as it shows how to keep the drain holes clear etc. The most important thing is to have a battery cover fitted BUT the drain holes for both fuseboxes need to be clear.

Title: Re: Front Window Heater draining battery
Post by Invicta on Jun 13^th, 2010, 12:34pm

Simmo,
This is very kind of you as after the non heated windscreen was fitted
the battery cover came back from the garage in the boot. So we assumed it wasn't needed and until now have left it there.
Guess what I'll be doing this afternoon! :)
Bern

Title: Re: Front Window Heater draining battery
Post by Simmo on Jun 13^th, 2010, 1:00pm

Bern,Glad to have helped. These cars do not like water near the fuseboxes. The auxillary fusebox,by the battery, is well known for issues. Also behind it there is a large rubber grommet in the bulkhead through which all the cables pass. If this is not fitted correctly and water is allowed to build up this then flows into the passenger footwell BUT in doing so runs over the Central control module which sits behind the glovebox. Not a good idea !. Some members have placed Silica bags,the type that come with cameras etc, in the fusebox to draw out any moisture. The box is made up of several layers and the copper connectors lay in 'tracks' moulded in the plastic so dampness can cause difficulties. The judicious use of a hair dryer can help to ensure that it dries out quickly and effectively. Lets hope you got there in time. If you go to THIS page (http://www.fordscorpio.co.uk/fusebox2.htm) and select Fusebox Rebuild 1 and 2 you will get the idea. The second photo in 2 shows a layer of the Auxillary box in which you can see the 'tracks' whilst the first article shows all the copper bits in the Main box. Mike

Title: Re: Front Window Heater draining battery
Post by Invicta on Jun 13^th, 2010, 2:43pm

Once again many thanks for your help with this Simmo,

It defeats me why the garage should have treid to put the fuse box lid on back to front and left off the battery cover when even a relative novice like me could see what needed doing.

I'll have a more detailed look for moisture next weekend.

We'll also keep a watch for "dancing needels" in the instrument panels. Especially first thing in the morning and when the car has been stood at work all day.

Incidentally if anyone knows of a good garage around Tewkesbury we would love to hear from them.

Kind regards,
Bernard

Title: Re: Front Window Heater draining battery
Post by Chieftain on Jun 13^th, 2010, 3:10pm

Gloucester Service and Tuning Centre Bristol Road. Mick and Anglela great couple and honest as well, will tell you like it is. Always went there when I lived in Glos

Title: Re: Front Window Heater draining battery
Post by Invicta on Jun 13^th, 2010, 3:23pm

Cheiftain,

Thanks for the contact.
We will give them a ring.

Bernard

Title: Re: Front Window Heater draining battery
Post by Mike H on Jun 14^th, 2010, 10:39pm

This is the drain holes article http://www.fordscorpio.co.uk/drainholes.htm

Title: Re: Front Window Heater draining battery
Post by Invicta on Jun 15^th, 2010, 5:26pm

Mike H,

As it says this could cause some very expensive problems later.

Maybe I'm being too cynical to think that that's why the present garage left the fuse box and battery covers off!

Many thanks for pointing me to this article.

Nice little job for this Saturday,
Bernard

Title: Re: Front Window Heater draining battery
Post by Mike H on Jun 16^th, 2010, 9:02pm

While you're in there, a good dose of WD40 in each fusebox ;D

Title: Re: Front Window Heater draining battery
Post by Invicta on Jun 18^th, 2010, 7:47pm

Mike H,

Great minds! :)

Bernard