Ditch the Kenwood is my cure.
Kev.
Kev.
Battery Problems
We have a Chausson Flash S3 on a Ford chasis with a Duratec 2.2 litre 140 hp engine.
We have an on going situation whereby, when stopped, every so often the dashboard lighs start flashing and all the relays going on and off with quite a large current drain (c.40-50 amps) when this happens. The net result of this is that engine battery goes flat in a few hours. The vehicle can sit on the drive for three weeks without any problem but on others the battery will go flat overnight after a 200 mile journey.
The Ford Assistance has been called out 8 times this year and the vehicle has spent various periods at 4 ford garages but without a resulation to the problem.
We have a Kenwood DNX5220BT, a Cobra alarm and a reversing camera and each have been disconnected in turn but the only time the problem manifested itself (ovenight so no one say what actually precipated the problem) was when the Kenwood was connected . All ideas thankfully received !
We have an on going situation whereby, when stopped, every so often the dashboard lighs start flashing and all the relays going on and off with quite a large current drain (c.40-50 amps) when this happens. The net result of this is that engine battery goes flat in a few hours. The vehicle can sit on the drive for three weeks without any problem but on others the battery will go flat overnight after a 200 mile journey.
The Ford Assistance has been called out 8 times this year and the vehicle has spent various periods at 4 ford garages but without a resulation to the problem.
We have a Kenwood DNX5220BT, a Cobra alarm and a reversing camera and each have been disconnected in turn but the only time the problem manifested itself (ovenight so no one say what actually precipated the problem) was when the Kenwood was connected . All ideas thankfully received !
1 - 16 of 16 Posts
How about fitting an in-line fuse just to power the Kenwood, with a fuse rating just big enough for its normal running current, but small enough to blow if it tries to take a lot more current. This would prevent it discharging the battery and if it does blow then it confirms that the Kenwood is the problem.
Kees
Kees
Hi,
If the Kenwood was pulling 40-50 amps you have clouds of smoke :roll:my money would be on the fridge relay coming on, possibly an alternator fault causing this, if you can find the fridge fuse try pulling this, ideally when you are have the flashing light display,
Regards,
Chris
If the Kenwood was pulling 40-50 amps you have clouds of smoke :roll:my money would be on the fridge relay coming on, possibly an alternator fault causing this, if you can find the fridge fuse try pulling this, ideally when you are have the flashing light display,
Regards,
Chris
Kenwood is not pulling the curent - something is causing the Ford electrics to go beserk. Have now got the Kenwood "always on " circuit on the leasure battery but still the engine battery is going flat
TDG
TDG
Problem eventually nailed - I think!
Not a Ford problem after all but a Chausson one: under the rear of the vehicle there is a multi-pin socket dangling from other van wiring and is presumably intended for trailer towing.
I found it full of water because the body was damaged at the cable entry but the cover cap was water tight, not letting the water out. Inside was a very good example of electrolysis!
TDG
Not a Ford problem after all but a Chausson one: under the rear of the vehicle there is a multi-pin socket dangling from other van wiring and is presumably intended for trailer towing.
I found it full of water because the body was damaged at the cable entry but the cover cap was water tight, not letting the water out. Inside was a very good example of electrolysis!
TDG
Not a hint of a problem since so think we can put this one to bed now!TDG said:Problem eventually nailed - I think!
....cap was water tight, not letting the water out. Inside was a very good example of electrolysis!
TDG
Hi TDG,
It is good to see an OP return with the end result, not many do.....
We hope that is indeed permanently fixed - a good, occasional, crawl round underneath for 'two coats of looking at' seems to be a good ploy for future preventative maintenance -
But the last time I did it there were two wee grandchildren intent on tickling my feet so I was not as thorough as I might have been!
Bob L
It is good to see an OP return with the end result, not many do.....
We hope that is indeed permanently fixed - a good, occasional, crawl round underneath for 'two coats of looking at' seems to be a good ploy for future preventative maintenance -
But the last time I did it there were two wee grandchildren intent on tickling my feet so I was not as thorough as I might have been!
Bob L
Thanks for that Bobbob44 said:Hi TDG,
'two coats of looking at' seems to be a good ploy
Bob L
My experience is that the two coats need to be applied a few days apart 'cos it's amazing what you can miss with the first time around!
Never had this myself... also have a ford chassis but on the ford transit forum there are few members who have had flickering dash.
It's a Ford problem me thinks.
w
It's a Ford problem me thinks.
w
Having (not by choice!) studied this issue at some length, I know, in our case, the the "flashing dash" was the symptom of low battery yoltage - not the direct cause.wilse said:Never had this myself... also have a ford chassis but on the ford transit forum there are few members who have had flickering dash.
It's a Ford problem me thinks.
w
When it started to flash, relays were switching all sorts of things on and off and drawing a high current in the process. This in turn reduced the voltage further very quickly.
Ford Assist.(aka The AA) confirm that they have records that show that the electronics on this set up are quite sensitive to battery voltage and when it falls below the trigger point the "flashing dash" starts.
Someome suggested to me that one of the programme upgrades was to make the electronics less voltage sensitive but I don't know how true that is. What I do know is that since the last reprorgamming the HLA has become very unpredictable.......... but that may be just a coincidence.
Hi,
we had exactly the same issue. Water in the towbar/trailer electric thingy. It took 8 weeks to resolve.
Since they fixed this, unfortunately the hab heater dont work.....doh !
we had exactly the same issue. Water in the towbar/trailer electric thingy. It took 8 weeks to resolve.
Since they fixed this, unfortunately the hab heater dont work.....doh !
Also check the 2 rear junction boxes for the rear lights for water and dry solder joints, as my Flash 03 had water in them which had caused a short. IIRC the trailer socket may lead to them.TDG said:Problem eventually nailed - I think!
Not a Ford problem after all but a Chausson one: under the rear of the vehicle there is a multi-pin socket dangling from other van wiring and is presumably intended for trailer towing.
I found it full of water because the body was damaged at the cable entry but the cover cap was water tight, not letting the water out. Inside was a very good example of electrolysis!
TDG
Had no problems for 2 years now but have had the NSR light cluster partially fill with water twice...................... but changed under guarantee on both occasions 
Check that the drain holes are at the bottom, as lots fitted are the LHD version flipped over, so you end up with the drain holes at the top.TDG said:Had no problems for 2 years now but have had the NSR light cluster partially fill with water twice...................... but changed under guarantee on both occasions
You can drill some small drain holes if you need to.
Don't think the Kenwood is the problem. I use a 100w radio transceiver and don't have problems (touch wood)
1 - 16 of 16 Posts
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