why did I buy a mk2! Battery goes flat ALOT

[Ben Lessani]

What a really odd thread?!

If smoke is coming from the dash - then start stripping the dash down to see what it is.

For your battery, just remove the +ve and put a multimeter (ammeter) between the +ve wire and +ve terminal on the battery and see what the draw is. Anything above 0.4A is bad.

I'd check the oil pressure with a manual gauge - or get a set of VDO's and keep an eye on it permanently.

I would certainly be inclined just to remove the stereo and amp and check what wiring they are really using.

[Thom89]

What a really odd thread?!

If smoke is coming from the dash - then start stripping the dash down to see what it is.

For your battery, just remove the +ve and put a multimeter (ammeter) between the +ve wire and +ve terminal on the battery and see what the draw is. Anything above 0.4A is bad.

I'd check the oil pressure with a manual gauge - or get a set of VDO's and keep an eye on it permanently.

I would certainly be inclined just to remove the stereo and amp and check what wiring they are really using.

Sound advice Ben..
Thom

[fishnchipsx2]

Could also try removing the stereo fuse.  If it stops draining the battery, you've isolated your problem.

First things first though, get behind that dash!

[DarnPB]

Do you have a sub woofer? If so, you probably don't need it all the time, so put a switch in the blue signal wire and make it switchable on or off, even when the radio is switched on. If as mentioned before, the radio retains a memory, then this could also be powering up the amp causing a voltage leak.

[Alec]

I will deffo check it all out, I am retarded when it comes to electrics though, I seem to think shouting and acreaming at it might just solve the problem.

The stereo does save memory, tried to take it out today but it trys to bring half the dash out with it. Cant find the prong thats keeping it held in either which is a bit annoying. there is a power light on the amp which only comes on when the facia is inserted into the head unit. But I am guessing the amp is powered directly from the battery so could still be draining power. Will get the trusty haynes manual out and have a good long read.

Cheers for the suggestions, I'm pulling my hair out

[weazgti]

My amp kept pulling power with it all off done it 2 cars so i ended up pulling the fuse out of the live cable all the time.Definatly fault with the amp so i put a switch on the live to cut it completely.Know few people that sent them back but mine was past that.
Tried switching blue wire but that didnt work for me.

[Driver888]

take a reading without the stereo amp etc.. on then take one from the battery with it on see what its drawing. And strip down the steering column!

[rubjonny]

has it got an alarm or immobilisor, or the remains of one? #1 suspect for draining battery. could also explain smoker and nutty dash if wiring to it is failing.

[Alec]

Its got a laserline alarm/immobiliser but I dont have the transponder key as the previous owner lost it. Its apparently disconnected but the green light on the transponder socket is on all the time. It only smokes when on ignition, when the engine is running the smoke goes away. Had a few different ignition switches installed at a vw specialist and they cant find any problems with it at all.

I have noticed inside the plastic panel (got central electric) on it, there are some wires that have been cut and spliced and also a black box with a few connectors coming out of it, looks aftermarket. I cant remember what they are called, a relay??

I got a quote from a laserline dealer to remove the alarm at the cost of £80 quid, but if i can remove it myself without causing any more problems then I would rather do that, cus I cant really afford £80 quid at the minute. Will the alarm be wired up into the loom or just to the ignition circuits?

[Ben Lessani]

Usually wired to both the indicator circuits, ign switch, door switches.

Then surplus bits might be horn, headlights, fuel pump.

If its a thatcham alarm (ie. all black wires), I'd be inclined to pay someone else unless you're handy with the electrics.