Self-discharge of the battery (Opel Vectra A)

If you suspect a current leak from the battery, check the on-board network as follows.

Attention! The battery must be fully charged to perform the test.

Turn off all power consumers, disconnect the connector from the clock, close the doors.

Set the ammeter to the maximum measurement range. Disconnect the ground wire from the battery. Connect one ammeter wire ("-") to the negative terminal of the battery, and the other ("+") to the disconnected ground wire.

Attention! The test can also be carried out using a test lamp. If the lamp does not light, the test should be carried out using an ammeter.

Switch the ammeter measurement ranges down to milliampere until the device starts giving readings (permissible current - 2-3 mA).

Sequentially interrupt various electrical circuits by removing the corresponding fuses. If, when interrupting the next circuit, the ammeter needle returns to zero, the fault should be looked for here. The source of the fault may be rusty and dirty contacts, frayed wires, internal short circuits.

If no defect is detected in the circuits protected by fuses, the wires from the unprotected units should be disconnected in sequence (for example, generator, ignition system).



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Connect the ground wire to the battery.

Attention! If self-discharge of the battery is observed in a car manufactured before May 1989 with a central injection system, the cause may be a defective oil pressure sensor: its contact sticks, which prevents the fuel pump from switching off when the engine is turned off. Because of this, the pump circuit remains under voltage, and the pump runs continuously, discharging the battery. In some cases, this can lead to burnout of the wire or control relay. To prevent or eliminate this defect, you must do the following:

• Disconnect the connector from the oil pressure sensor.
• Pull back the rubber tip.
• From the three wires coming from the sensor, cut the red and red-blue wires with side cutters and insulate them.
• Pull the rubber tip and connect the connector.
• Check the operation of the oil pressure sensor: when the ignition is on, the oil pressure warning light on the instrument panel should light up and go out after the engine starts.
• Check the operation of the fuel pump relay: after turning on the ignition, the fuel pump should turn on for 1-2 seconds and then turn off.