Battery Question

MS22

MS22

New member
I just helped a friend of mine with his 04 GLI this past weekend and there was no way to turn off the lights at the bottom of the four doors when they were opened (even with everything turned OFF). We didnt think much of this but after doing the whole car and taking a lunch break the battery was drained (~8hrs.). I told him to disconnect the battery anymore before we start so the car wont have to be jumped in the future and he said its not a good idea to disconect the battery like that (once every 8-10 weeks). Is he just being lazy so he doesnt have to reset the radio and clock? I can not imagine disconnecting the battery can cause any harm at all, right? It would not make any sense.
 
I always just start the car every couple hours for it to charge back up if I suspect I'm slowly draining the battery.
 
MS22 said:
I just helped a friend of mine with his 04 GLI this past weekend and there was no way to turn off the lights at the bottom of the four doors when they were opened (even with everything turned OFF). We didnt think much of this but after doing the whole car and taking a lunch break the battery was drained (~8hrs.). I told him to disconnect the battery anymore before we start so the car wont have to be jumped in the future and he said its not a good idea to disconect the battery like that (once every 8-10 weeks). Is he just being lazy so he doesnt have to reset the radio and clock? I can not imagine disconnecting the battery can cause any harm at all, right? It would not make any sense.
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Disconnecting the battery on today's cars resets the computer(s), which is NOT a good thing. It takes 20-50 miles of driving for the computer to relearn any minor problems in the car's performance, and, I think, whatever codes may have been in storage are lost.

I'm surprised that not every 2004 car has a battery saver. If I leave my door open for 10 minutes with no key in the ignition, my battery saver will shut the light off. Same is true for hood, trunk, and headlights.

Perhaps you can install a device that will maintain a charge from the house current to the battery. Griot's Garage sells such a device. I don't know about the particulars, such as whether one type fits all cars, or whether you have to purchase a specific type for each car model. I think they cost around $50. They work by attaching one end to the car battery, and plugging in the cord to the house current. It keeps the battery charged if you accidentally leave the lights on.

Charles
 
I deal with this everyday, so to turn of door lights, I use a block of wood wrapped in something soft and wedge it carefully between the door and light switch on the lower half of the A pillar.

If it's on the lower half of the B pillar then I use a quick clamp and apply just enough pressure to push the switch in!

I also use a soft cloth on both jaws of the clamp to prevent marring to the surfaces!

Works for me!
 
F1 gave good ideas I never thought of that one. I just start the car every so often if I think that I am draining the battery. I also have a battery hot shot charger for these type of things. I got mine years ago at Pep Boys but can't remember what I paid for it, but it works like a charm
 
i think i read in a magazine somewhere that you can get an adapter that goes from a 9V battery to the power port (or cigerate lighter) and it will keep just enough juice goin through the computer and radio to keep it set... i havnt tried this product yet i imagine it doesnt last for 8 hours or for a full detail on a car.
 
Crobinso is correct, the computer will reset.
Any codes that were stored will be lost and the car will have to readjust after rerest and will affect performance(trans shift points, fuel ecomonmy ect.)
I just find it hard to believe that there would be that much drain just from interior lights even after eight hours.
But if that is a concern f1guy68 suggestion of a wood block or speed clamp work fine.

Good luck and Happy Holidays
"J"
 
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