General electrical prolems

[racsoton]

Hi,
I have a lot of problems with my Tipo, the major one is the electrical problems. I hope you guys can help me out before I take it to a garage, since in UK it costs a lot and I'm a student.
Basically, there's leakage in the electricity, here are some facts:
It works with jump start (using another car's battery0, means there's nothing wrong w/ the engine and starter motor.
after a while of engine running and I swith off the engine, after several hour, I start (w/ own battery) it works !, means there's nothing wrong with the battery and the alternator.
But in the following morning, it does not start. So, I guess there's short circuit or leakage in the electrical circuit. So, could you advise me on which part I should look at first, perhaps you guys had a similar problem before.
I appreciate your help.

regards

 

[Jononz]

I had a similar problem with my SEAT Ibiza, I had a brand new 550CCA battery and after a full charge It would go flat if left more than 2 days. Turns out it was the cheap stereo I had installed draining about 200mA when off.

How old is the battery?

I would be unlikely to be anything that only runs with the ignition on as the relays will isolate them when the cars off. Your best bet is the process of elimination,unplug one thing at a time and see if the battery still goes flat.

 

[racsoton]

thanx,

do you mean the relays that needs to unplug one by one?
I haven't got the manual, so I guess I'll have to try them then. If I'm not wrong, the relays are in the fuse box along with many fuses, right?
I appreciate your help, /I'll give it a try...

 

[ac3]

i`d make sure the battery was charged over night first, then check for bad wires/connections, fuses and relays are in the same place.

 

[him]

check the boot light is not jammed on.

close the boot, pull the rear seat forward and see if the light is on.

if so, you may need to unscrew the head of the switch to lenghten it so it turns off circuit to the light.

 

[Ziomike]

I'd second the duff radio problem, I've had this also. The age of the battery could also be the problem some just will not hold a charge when the get older, even with nothing draining the battery. Also check the alternator charging, you should have over 13.5 volts with the engine on fast idle.