Old Honda Civic hatchback 1.4i, manual gear, air conditioning. No longer starting (see below the history).
- I noticed that with the key off or in the dashboard in position I there is a small 40 mA drain. I am not concerned with that.
- When the key is in the dashboard in position II (the dashboard lights come up) the battery drain is 10 amperes. With nothing on: no lights, no radio (it's not in), no AC, no brakes, no nothing.
What can drain 10 amps with just the key in the dashboard? (measured with amperometric clamp on the black cable right off the battery with nothing else attached)
Back history:
The battery is old and needs a replacement (it is just dead now) but I used the car for several weeks with the help of a battery charger to keep it from discharging. (it's a Suaoki charger set to SLA, 12V - it stops saying "full").
Last week it did not work and I had to jump start the car with the help of another car's battery (and running engine). It took some 15 minutes, draining more than 15 amps, the car started and I was able to use it, park, restart, park, restart - no problem.
Today I was going to the mall to fetch the new battery (a 45 Ah slim Bosch), but the car is no longer willing to start. Completely dead at first try, seconds after disconnecting the charger, it tries to start when it is connected to the other car running but just can't make it. I then discovered that something is draining 10 amps with just the key in. What can be sucking 120+ Watts?
I am afraid that replacing the battery in these condition will kill the new battery in no time.
I was planning to extract one fuse at the time while checking the drainage to isolate the faulty circuit. Any better troubleshooting idea?
EDIT: fixed grammar and missing piece of sentence (position of key in the dashboard)
EDIT II: After recharging again I was able to jump start the car with another car's battery running. Now I recall that the last time I was alone and did not have anyone pressing on the gas of the other car while starting mine. I guess that, along with the low quality cables I have used (I believe they are aluminum) did not provide enough current and voltage to my car. Now it is running, and while it's running the drainage is only 200 mA.