Hey there gotta new problem with my 92 spfi loyale wagon.

 

Something seems to be draining the battery. The other day, I couldn't get the car to start. When the drivers door was open I could hear a clicking sound from the rear drivers side of the car. Kind of like a relay going crazy, lots of quick clicks then a pause then a bunch more clicks. When I closed the door it stopped?? Kinda weird. But I think it might be something draining power when the cars off. 

 

Its my first electrical problem to work out. What are the first basic things I should look at? 

 

Thanks!

 

joe

How old is your battery?

hmmm haha well I just checked its 5years old so that could have something to do with it. I'll swap in the battery from my gl that I know is good and run it today. See if it holds the charge or not when its time to go home. 

The weird thing is how sometimes it holds a charge and sometimes it doesn't. Like friday, it wouldn't start for me without a jump to drive home even though I had driven it 15min to work that morning. After sitting all weekend, it started right up today... So my thought to swap batteries out won't tell me what I hoped with it being all spontenous and what not.

If you suspesct something is draining the battery then i would say get a digital multimeter and hook it in series with the battery cable. take off the negative terimal and connect the meter on the AMPS setting in series from the battery negative terminal to the negative cable with some alligator clips and let is sit for a while for the computers and modules to go back to sleep. then see what type of amperage is being pulled from the battery. i think once you get up in the 30 mA or 0.030 Amps Range that means you have a parasitic draw somewhere.. if you do use this method, make sure to not try and start the car or use and electical accsesories to avoid popping the fuse in the meter. Hope that helps. and good luck.

Another way to check for amp draw is the unhook the neg bat cable and touch it to the neg post of bat.   If you see a spark, you have an amp draw.  Best to do if it's dark out.   Doors shut, ignition off, hood light bulb removed (if you have one).

  A faulty voltage regulator is commonly known to drain your battery.   Have napa bench test it (it's in the alternator) ... unless you have pre-83 (I think)  and then it's an external VR.

I think I can help with this, I have a 92' Loyale that used to do the same exact thing. I used a lighted voltage tester and hooked it to my battery and started pulling fuses till the drain went away.

 

Let me guess your loyale has those awful automatic seat belts? If so then that's exactly what you are hearing is the relays clicking when you close the door or turn off your car. A relay is probably getting stuck closed or open or it thinks a seat belt hasn't retracted fully? I would suggest you narrow your search to the seat belt electronics.

 

I hate the automatic crap, I plan on converting to all manual soon.

 

Good luck, let us know what you find!

I think I can help with this, I have a 92' Loyale that used to do the same exact thing. I used a lighted voltage tester and hooked it to my battery and started pulling fuses till the drain went away.

Let me guess your loyale has those awful automatic seat belts? If so then that's exactly what you are hearing is the relays clicking when you close the door or turn off your car. A relay is probably getting stuck closed or open or it thinks a seat belt hasn't retracted fully? I would suggest you narrow your search to the seat belt electronics.

I hate the automatic crap, I plan on converting to all manual soon.

Good luck, let us know what you find!

and my gf was mad at me for not finding a wagon with the automatic belts, glad i didn't now!

I think I can help with this, I have a 92' Loyale that used to do the same exact thing. I used a lighted voltage tester and hooked it to my battery and started pulling fuses till the drain went away.

 

Let me guess your loyale has those awful automatic seat belts? If so then that's exactly what you are hearing is the relays clicking when you close the door or turn off your car. A relay is probably getting stuck closed or open or it thinks a seat belt hasn't retracted fully? I would suggest you narrow your search to the seat belt electronics.

 

I hate the automatic crap, I plan on converting to all manual soon.

 

Good luck, let us know what you find!

Thanks everybody for your input. I'll get out the multimeter and do some testing tomorrow and report back. And scooner your right I do have the electronic seatbelts...Did it end up just being a relay swap? How did you take care of it?

I missed the part about the clicking relay.   I've never owned a Soob with auto belts.

I've always wanted one .... such a pain to find em and click em.

Let us know where the relay is.   Sounds like it's in the pillar panel.

The control unit for the Automatic Seat Occupant Choking System is located behing the Driver side rear tire.

You have to pull the big trim panel to access it.

 

Chances are, that it is the driver's side belt track itself, (worn out cable track), or one of the reed switches on it.

Controller doesn't always "see" that either the full forward, or full retract switch is made. So it keeps trying to move the belt cable to "see" the switch.

The clicking is most likely the relay kicking in/out.

 

Also, bad connection at, or, door switch itself may be cause.

If the dome light works correctly, along with the door ajar indicator/key in the ignition dinger, you can rule out the door switch.