My octavia td battery goes flat if i have not driven and left parked up for around 24, i think it might be the central locking causeing this but how do i find out where is the central locking and haw can i check thanks to all that can help me on this

Edited 19 January, 200917 yr by welshman504

First you have to measure the quiescent current consumption from the battery (with everything switched off and the key out).

It should be at 30 mA maximum. If you get higher, then have to check where is the current leak (may try pulling off some fuses for example).

Some suggestions:

1) Radio/CD/changer/etc.

2) Boot light(s)

If your car is still on the original battery, its also possible the battery is no longer holding a proper charge and may need to be replaced.

What is the central locking doing to make you suspect it of flattening your battery ?

I had an Octy for a test drive that would run the radiator fans when it was cold and switched off (some kind of electrical problem), and that flattened the battery pretty quickly.

Chavdarlk has good advice. I would leave it for 10 minutes or so before starting testing, as it takes a while for these cars to go fully into their "dormant" phase.

It might also be worth testing your battery properly - voltage under load (cranking the engine), voltage while the engine is running, and voltage after it has been switched off for a while. This may help decide where the problem is (dud starter motor, is the alternator charging properly, is the battery on the way out). Many a serviceable battery has been replaced due to an undiagnosed faulty alternator/voltage regulator or starter motor.

I seem to be having the same problem as you! Although, I dont seem to have any issues with my central locking.

The battery and starter are only 10months old. I must measure the current draw when the car is off too,although I seem to remember the Haynes manual saying that up to 0.5A is common/ok.

I have experianced only once the car failing to start at lunch time and starting no problem hours later.

It gives all the symptoms of a dead battery, and even starts perfect with a jump.

The battery measures 13.6V whilst running so I think the alternator is ok.

Could it be a dodgy starter solenoid?

If your car is still on the original battery, its also possible the battery is no longer holding a proper charge and may need to be replaced.

I replaced mine with a 74 Ah one.It's bigger but fits just fine in the plastic box.:)