Battery gradually discharges

[Daneeka]

Is there anything known about MK4's doing this?

We've had a MK4 in our family for about 10 years and the car has always done this. If used regularly it's not really a problem but after about a week of not being used the battery will have to be charged.

Electrics is definitely not my strong point but I've tried checking some simple things eg boot light not going off, radio left on etc.

I took it to my local garage and they spent a day checking it out and couldn't find anything, but said to take it to an auto electrician. If it had been a massive inconvenience I would have done but as the car is not usually left for more than 3/4 days and then starts ok I didn't.

Anyone know if this has cropped up before with the MK4?

[A4 Lad]

I was going to explain but I think this should explain it soo much easier. Stick to the guide and you should find your drain. Hope it helps :)

[A4 Lad]

Sorry, forgot the link lol

http://www.popularmechanics.com/_mobile/cars/how-to/repair/how-to-stop-car-battery-drains

[Crasher]

Does it has an original VW radio or an aftermarket unit?

[Daneeka]

I was going to explain but I think this should explain it soo much easier. Stick to the guide and you should find your drain. Hope it helps :)

Thanks for that, I did follow something similar a while back with nothing found. I'll look at your link and have another go when I get the chance.

[Daneeka]

Does it has an original VW radio or an aftermarket unit?

It's the original radio, in fact everything is standard with no modifications. It's a 1.6 golf se

[zollaf]

this was quite a popular fault when i worked for the aa on the vw assistance contract in 2003. a cure was to remove a fuse from behind the drivers side dash panel above the pedals which i believe was for the alarm. iirc there are 2 fuses next to each other but i cannot remember which one it was. i seem to remember we had some official paperwork telling us t do this.

[Crasher]

The way to find the drain is with a multimeter capable of handling 10amps and put one lead onto the earth terminal of the battery and the other lead onto the earth lead of the car. Observe the drain and then remove the fuses one at a time until the drain disappears. Once the fuse is identified, the wiring diagram can be used to locate components on that circuit and these should be disconnected one at a time to see which one is causing the drain. One thing I always check is the alternator as these can be responsible for the drain.