battery drain

[G T]

hi all

Went to start my saab 93, 2010 tuesday battery flat
Called out RAC for help jump started battery. Car started.battery checked fine
checked alternator fine but the guy said there was a battery drain of 3.0amps
but said it takes about 30 mins for everything on the car to shut down and he could not wait that long
checked that light goes off in boot
left the car overnight .started
today battery flat again
has anyone had trouble like this before if so please help G T

[Burnsside42]

How did he know the car had a 3amp drain if the battery was just dead that he jumped? Was the car running when he tested this? lol Is it the original battery? Fully charged and tested with a load tester does it pass? Saab batteries are notorious for going bad just because. Being you have a 2010 I DOUBT there is a major draw issue - but if there is it should be diagnosed via a knowledgeable SAAB technician or shop, and not some roadside service guy.

[G T]

Hi Burnside42
Thank,s for the reply
yes the car had been running for about 30 mins then he clipped a meter to the battery lead turned the engine off closed all doors and left the meter connected it was reading 3.0amps
but have just booked car in at local vehicle elec garage (West Midlands Saab Specialist) for next tuesday as you recommended
I doubt there is a major draw issue as the car has only done 12655 miles thank,s a lot G T

[9-3 Aero]

And the key was in the LOCK - (or removed) and not in the OFF position when the reading was noted, I presume?

BTW: There is a bulb in the glove box as well

[G T]

Hi 93 aero .
Can,t remember if key was in or not ?
checked glove box though light not on thank,s G T

[9-3 Aero]

Hi G T.

If it was in the OFF position, many of the Electronic Control Modules still would be "awake" and clearly explain the "3.0A" current draw. This unlike if being in the LOCK position.

[G T]

Hi 93 Aero.
I know what you are saying, but i can,t remember.
Have left car in garage with alarm off to save power hopefully this will stop the battery drain untill tuesday so i can get it to the saab garage.
Good to hear from you G T

Have you had any problems with your saab ?

[9-3 Aero]

Hi 93 Aero.
I know what you are saying, but i can,t remember.
Have left car in garage with alarm off to save power hopefully this will stop the battery drain untill tuesday so i can get it to the saab garage.
Good to hear from you G T

Have you had any problems with your saab ?

Hi Tom.

Given the "3.0A" is not correct, the behaviour of the battery could be seen similar to the cases when too short trips with too much load (e.g. rear window -, seat heaters etc.), causes a graceful degradation of the capacity. Once reduced to a low level it takes hours of normal recharging, either by the generator or an external charger, to raise the capacity to a top level again.

We are normally using the car for longer trips, meaning it's left in the garage for days and maybe weeks. That's why we have an aftermarket charger installed, which is being left "on" for a day or so every third week (in winter time at least).

No issues so far - except for a bad XWD differential , as a result of a Saab design flaw. Occurred at abot 4500 miles on the ODO. But then the car hasn't "flown" more than 10.500 miles as of today.

Enjoy the weekend

[G T]

hi 93 Aero.
You might be on to something there, Because we only use the car at weekends on short trips and the wife always has the seat heater on, and the rear window is on sometimes, stereo, head lights. and the car is nearly 4 years old so i am going to get the battery checked again independently thank,s for that G T.
Hope the issue with your saab was covered under warranty ? sounds expensive. Tom

[9-3 Aero]

Hi Tom.

Thanks, fortunately this was a warranty case , the cost was about £ 2.000, current exchange rate. As you may know, prices in this country are interesting; the 9-3 was priced £ 69.000 by the dealer when new late November 2008. It was still a demo car when we luckily got our hands on it June 2012.

With regard to the battery, do I belive I've seen in the manual that a fully charged one will disharge in (about?) 40 days in a car being at standstill. With Anti-Theft Alarm and other "add-ons" this may occur in a time short as 15 days.

If the battery is left standing with a degree of charge below 65-75 % for a couple of weeks, the battery electrolyte gradually converts to water and the battery plates start to corrode. The damage cannot be repaired and the capacity and service life of the battery will be permanently impaired. This is the reason, with the use of our 9-3 we have, why we frequently use the charger in an attempt to keep the battery healty as long as possible.