"disallow" <loewen_t at yahoo.ca @> wrote in message
news:621383ac0589c80e3a43ffb0c037d500@localhost.ta lkaboutautos.com...
> I posted on the Volvo forum, but its not as active
> as this one, so I thought I would post here too.
>
> Recent rebuild on this 85 Volvo 240 DL,
> 300000kms. Auto Trannie, B230F motor. Sedan. 3 spd trannie.
>
> The battery goes dead after about 10 hours of not running. Put my
> multimeter on it, when running the voltage is 14 volts, which rules out
> the alternator. When not running, I can observe
> the voltage dropping from 12.75 to about 12.30
> or so. It may go lower, but this occured over
> about a minute or so after the car was stopped.
>
> Amperage drawn when the car is not running is
> 0.8 to 0.87 Amps, which shouldn't be enough to drain the battery in 10
> hours. This was done
> by removing the positive battery cable, and
> putting my multimeter between the cable and
> the positive post.
>
> The battery is brand new, and I realize it could
> be a dud. However, are there any other things
> I should be checking? Cables appear to be in good
> shape. The clamps on the posts are good too.
>
> Thanks

Well, this is a honda group so this post really doesn't belong here but
there's no sense leaving you stranded since you are a regular poster, I
think. I've owned a volvo and know a little here and there about that car.

How about your keep the multimeter in line and pull one fuse at a time to
see what's causing the problem? One fuse should make it drop to near zero --
It will at least narrow it down because the problem could be anywhere. It is
not a dead short so most likely something is on that is normally off. (how
about the radio or final amplifier? - they are notorious for doing weird
things like this).
800 mA/hr is not normal and may get your battery drained sufficiently enough
to not start the next day.

Remco