: Power Drain when car is off

[jdamiani]

Ben,

I have have a similar problem with something draining the
battery on my 92 100 Q.  With the ignition off, I hear an
clicking or buzzing sound from the panel (relay?) in front
of the driver's door and below the hood release.  I tried
your procedure removing each fuse to see if the clicking
would stop.  No luck. The panel cover is difficult to
remove.  Any suggestions from the List on next steps to
solving this problem would be greatly appreciated -
especially tips on how to remove the panel.

Thanks

Bruce Damiani
89 100 wagon 5sp
92 100CS Quattro 5sp


> Matt,
>
> I'm taking a SWAG at this based on my recall of this demon
> from the past.
>
> Try checking with ammeter in line and see if current drop
> when either fuse 14 or 16 is pulled.  Sometimes a relay on
> one of these will latch on and continue to draw current
> even when devices not being used.  In my case '87 5ktqa it
> was the circuit with the door chime and interior lights.
> Resetting by pulling the fuse corrected the problem - for
> awhile - then I pulled fuse again and reset.
>
> I had to go through and pull each fuse methodically until
> I found which was causing the  excess current draw.  A
> marginal battery did not help, and after replacing battery
> , you'll fine that even with the problem, the time to
> rundown goes from overnight to a week or more.  You might
> try replacing relays associated with affected circuit or
> check other things which can be flaky - like door
> switches.
>
> Ben
> [From: "MATT BLIEFERNICH" <bliefernich at msn.com>
> To: quattro at audifans.com
> Subject: Power Drain when car is off
> Date: Wed, 18 Jun 2003 21:47:47 -0400
>
> I have a 1986 5000 cstq.  Recently I went out and tried to
> start it and the battery was dead.  I thought this wierd
> but knew the battery was old and replaced it after having
> it checked, it would not hold a charge anymore.  I thought
> everything was fine then but two days later the new
> battery died.  I went and had it checked and it held a
> charge fine.  I thought it might be the radio causing the
> drain but when I pulled the fuse and let it sit the
> battery still ended up dead.  I am wondering if there is a
> common problem area on 5000s that may be the culprit of if
> anyone has some ideas.  I am not very proficient at
> electrical testing and trouble shooting but I have a good
> friend who is an electrician and has offered to help but I
> don't know where to begin.  Any help or ideas would be
> great.
>
> Matt Bliefernich
> 1995 A6 quattro
> 1986 5kcstq]
>