Vito Battery Drain

[Anna1144]

Hi all,

Really hoping you could help with some knowledge/advice please!

I recently bought a Vito van that has been converted into a campervan. It has a separate leisure battery in the back which runs all the extra bits for the camper. However, we are having problems with the main battery.

If we leave the van for a few days, the battery goes completely dead. We got The AA out to start it up, and the AA mechanic said that something is staying on after we switch off the engine and is draining the battery. I think this is plausible, as after we switch off I can sometimes hear a fan still going. It sort of sounds like we've left the air vents on.

The AA took us to a Halfords garage so we could get diagnostic testing done. Halfords got an electrician out (£90) who then just said that the battery is failing. Halfords have then quoted us £300 for a new battery - they said we needed a higher quality battery as it's a camper, but nothing for the camper runs off that battery. For a cheaper battery they are quoting £200.

Really reluctant to fork out for a new battery when The AA seemed to tell us something completely different.

Has anyone else every experienced anything like this?

Thank you,

Anna

 

[m80]

This is likely to be more complicated than can be resolved on a forum,
I would suggest getting a refund from Halfrauds when you've identified the issue, and don't give them any more money.
A mobile real 'electrician' would be better suited to find this.

Replacement batteries from Euro Car Parts are cheaper, if that is the issue, but it doesn't sound like enough diagnostics have been performed to blame the battery.

Is the leisure battery still connected when the van is at rest? 2 dissimilar batteries can run each orther down when connected together.

Has the sound system been replaced? An obvious error 'could' be that the switched feed and permanent feed (memory feed) are crossed so the sound system is draining energy.

Consider other camper van add ons that the upgrader has added and might be the issue. Where possible disconnect and monitor to see if the drain has ceased.

There are systems that should shut down and sleep after a minute or few, it is possible that one isn't. For this a Star (Mercedes specific diagnostic equipment) might be needed. That wouldn't have cost you £90 (what a rip off).

More info on your van might help, age, van type OM638, 639, or 447, engine size.

 

[Sidewall]

Just a thought that might help. Quick test.
Next time it will be stood for a few days, disconnect earth cable on the starter battery.
If it is still flat when you return, it has to be due to self discharge and the battery needs replacement. If it starts fine you have proved it is not the battery at fault.
Is this vehicle fitted with stop/start technology? If so you MUST have a AGM battery, do not be tempted to try a cheap non AGM version. It won't last.
Remember everything will be dead so no Central Locking, Immobilizer, or Alarm.
Good Luck.

 

[Darling]

You don’t say what year your Vito is, I have 2009 109 Vito van and mine stated to do this, the battery would go flat if the van was not used, i also could hear what i thought was a fan.

My fault was the radio and the fan sound was the CD player trying to do something in the background, i would just try totally unplugging the radio from behind the dash as a quick test, i could turn the radio off but it was still taking a power...i bought a used identical radio of E-Bay a the van has been perfect every since.