I have a severe battery drain on a 2007 Focus. I'd welcome any ideas or pointers where to look.

It started off as an intermittent slight drain - a fully charged battery might take 2 to 4 days to go flat. (It seemed to be worse in wet weather, but maybe I imagined that.) Now a fully charged battery goes flat in a few hours.

I know it could be many things, but something strange happens with the headlights/side lights, so I'm wondering if that could be a clue.

Sometimes, the headlight/side lights switch is 'off', but the headlights/side lights flicker dimly while the starter motor is turning over. i.e. when the ignition key is in position III.

The lights don't come on when the ignition is on (key position II) or stay on after the engine starts. It's only while the starter motor is turning.

And on one occasion after turning off the engine, removing the key, with the lights switch 'off' - the headlights/side lights stayed very dimly lit.

As you probably realise, being a 2007 model, it doesn't have daytime running lights, delayed headlight turn off function or anything clever like that.

Any clues about what the problem could be would be very welcome. As well as any thoughts about whether the headlight issue and battery drain are related.

 

Having said all this, when the drain wasn't so bad, I also noticed that the mileage display screen would sometimes stay lit all night, which I guess could be an indication of a different problem that could drain the battery.

(Just to add, I've put in a new battery, and checked that the alternator is charging ok) 

Thanks, Dan

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

2 hours ago, Dannn said:

I have a severe battery drain on a 2007 Focus. I'd welcome any ideas or pointers where to look.

It started off as an intermittent slight drain - a fully charged battery might take 2 to 4 days to go flat. (It seemed to be worse in wet weather, but maybe I imagined that.) Now a fully charged battery goes flat in a few hours.

I know it could be many things, but something strange happens with the headlights/side lights, so I'm wondering if that could be a clue.

Sometimes, the headlight/side lights switch is 'off', but the headlights/side lights flicker dimly while the starter motor is turning over. i.e. when the ignition key is in position III.

The lights don't come on when the ignition is on (key position II) or stay on after the engine starts. It's only while the starter motor is turning.

And on one occasion after turning off the engine, removing the key, with the lights switch 'off' - the headlights/side lights stayed very dimly lit.

As you probably realise, being a 2007 model, it doesn't have daytime running lights, delayed headlight turn off function or anything clever like that.

Any clues about what the problem could be would be very welcome. As well as any thoughts about whether the headlight issue and battery drain are related.

 

Having said all this, when the drain wasn't so bad, I also noticed that the mileage display screen would sometimes stay lit all night, which I guess could be an indication of a different problem that could drain the battery.

(Just to add, I've put in a new battery, and checked that the alternator is charging ok) 

Thanks, Dan

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Hi Dan.  Although I've not had need to do this myself, I believe the way you narrow it down is by using a voltmeter on the battery and pulling one fuse at a time until you identify where the drain is coming from.  If you pop it it into youtube they'll be a few videos showing you how its done.  The display screen should not stay lit all night; I vaguely remember reading something of a similar problem on here.....  I'll see if I can dig out the thread.......Here it is