[jjp]

I recently purchased a '92 968 that had been sitting unused for 11 years (20k miles). After performing the usual set of maintenance procedures, the car started and ran beautifully. I installed a new 7 year battery but after sitting for a few days, the battery was dead. I recharged the battery, disconnected the negative cable, attached a circuit volt tester between the negative cable and negative post on the battery and found a drain. By disconnecting fuses, one at a time, I found the interior/hood/luggage light fuse was where the drain was coming from. From there I found a bad door switch. I thought the problem was solved.



A long preamble to my question. Now, when I attached the circuit tester from the negative cable to the negative post of the battery, I get a brief flash of the bulb that immediately goes out. It does this every time I connect the circuit tester. Almost like there is still a residual drain, but not enough to light the circuit tester. If I leave the circuit tester connected, the light stays off. Any thoughts?

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[tamathumper]

Perhaps it's your starter cable - not uncommon... here's a link to another thread about it.



http://www.968forums...post__p__118708

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[DaveN]

I leave my hood light permanently disconnected. It's like a fridge light, hood open - light on, hood closed - light off? I think when you close the hood Schrödinger's cat is trapped inside <img src="/forum/images/smilies/968/blink.png" class="smilie" alt="" />

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[tamathumper]

Same here, hood light is disconnected.

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[jjp]

Thanks for the tips. The drain in the lights was traced to a defective switch in the drivers door. I also disconnected the hood light. The very slight draw, I am told, is normal and a result of the "computer." That will normally not drain the battery, but if the car is left sitting for long periods, a battery maintainer is recommended.



I have owned some other Porsches, and this Forum is wonderful --- Thanks



jjp

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[robadams56]

JJP, I changed out my hood light bulb to a LED festoon bulb from SuperBrightLEDS.com because I usually leave the hood open for a while after a drive to let the engine cool down. You might consider this as well.

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[Darth Vadar]

I bought a 94 with 17K on her, and am seeing the same slow (very slow) drain on the battery, so I suspect the folks are right about the computer or alarm system causing a slow pull on the battery... mine will last about two weeks with no attention... I could probably do better with a fresh battery, but I chose to go the Charger route, and it works perfectly...



I actually bought a Charger from BMW on ebay for $30 bucks... I like it because it connects thru the cigarette lighter plug, so easy to use and does a perfect job.

I think the same outfit make one branded for Porsche, but the interals are probably all the same....

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[tbM030]

Spent two weeks trying to determine why the battery was going completely dead after sitting for 48 hours. First thought it was a bad battery, so replaced that. Then it looked like the glove box light was not turning off, so replaced the switch. Neither one was the problem. Finally, I noticed the hood light which illuminates the engine bay was not turning off after the hood was closed. The only way I could see this was in the garage at night when it was completely dark. I had to look closely, could see a little light coming through the small gap between the hood and the front body section. So, as posted above, I also disconnected the plug from the hood light. Evidently a common problem, so if your battery is going dead for no apparent reason, definitely check this first, it's easy to do.

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[Ryan]

Both my Porsches drain the battery and I have no bulbs in the hood light. If I don't disconnect the battery it is dead in a week. I have no idea.

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[flash]

if you have a removable face plate in the stereo, remove it. those usually have a pretty high drain

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[Eric_Oz_S2]

I have experienced the hood thing as well. Hood closed - minimal drain. Hood open (light off - it is only on when parking/headlights are on) there is a noticable current drain. I suspect it is related to the hood switch not the light bulb - perhaps associated with the alarm module. Battery gets low after about 2 weeks with hood open, no issues with hood closed.

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