Honda Jazz 2007 1.2 DSi - electrical wiring issue, battery not charging

[Adrian24]

Hello,
I'm new to this forum. I was hoping to get some advice or recommendations on a Honda Jazz my sister recently purchased (August 2010). It's been in and out of service centre's since purchase and what's transpired is that the electrical wiring in the car has been tampered with and completely replaced. It was Honda @ Croydon who discovered this, and informed my sister to take it back to the reseller (Wembly Cars), but to her surprise they've packed up and are no longer in business. Honda Croydon don't want to deal with this issue so she's stuck with car that won't keep a charge on it's battery.

The car is in good condition and drives really well, but once you leave it for a couple of days, you need to jump start the car.

Can anyone recommend any London electrical specialists who will be able to assist?

Many thanks
Adrian

[guest2867]

Have you checked to see if the car has been in an accident? You can do a number plate check to see if it's been a total loss. Cant think why else the wiring would have been replaced.

[Adrian24]

Hi. Yes, a check was done, and it came up with no history of any accidents. It was a surprise to us and Honda for that matter as to why this was done.

[guest2867]

The problem is that if the car was insured 3rd party and it was total loss at the owners fault then no claim would have been made and therefore it wouldn't show up on a check.
If all the electrical wiring is sound it must be something draining the battery is there any way you could disconnect it for a couple of days and then see if it starts on re connection.
I presume  that you have have a drop test done on the battery to check that it's not faulty

[Geoffers]

Ask Honda @ Croydon where they would send a car for electrical faults. That may lead you to the people who fitted the new wiring.
Also, you could ask them if the work is on the cars' service history. That may also lead you to the installer.
With all the technology in cars these days I just can't imagine someone installing a new wiring harness at home.

I presume that the car is outside Honda's warranty?

And, that basic tests have been done?
The battery and the alternator have been tested? A power drain has been confirmed?

You also say that the car has to be jump started every couple of days but you don't mention recharging the battery! How are you recharging it?

[Adrian24]

Thanks for all your reponses and suggestions, much appreciated.

In answer to the questions:
Green flag have tested the batteries, there were a couple of changes intially, as it was thought that it was the batteries at fault. Alternater tested and passed. My sister ended up purchasing a trickle charger.

Good suggestion with the disconnect and then reconnect of the batteries Barney, I'll forward this on to my sister.

Geoff, thanks for your advice. I've asked my sister to contact Honda and take it from there.

Regards
Adrian

[culzean]

2 things to check -

 has the car got auto lights?  if so leave them set to manual for a while and see if things improve (don't know about Jazz, but in civics made around the same time as yours the auto lights can drain the battery in about 3 days - it's not that the lights come on, it is just the auto light circuitry that allows the battery to drain).

I know you say the alternator has been checked, but if you lose one diode in the alternator the output voltage is still around 13.5volts,  which a lot of people think is OK, but it is not - the charging voltage should be around 13.8 to 14.2 to keep battery in good condition - at 13.5 volts the battery will not be kept charged enough for winter motoring with all it's extra demands of headlights, wipers, heated screens and mirrors etc..

[guest2853]

Battery should be at 12.5-12.7V at rest and 14.5V with engine on.

With a tester the continuity of the diodes can be tested; they are 3, one for each wiring of the stator.

[Geoffers]

Auto lights on the Jazz are not known to be a power drain!

Has a power drain been confirmed?

[guest2915]

My Mini used to do this and yes we had chopped into the wiring loom. However it was confirmed as a faulty earth.

Not saying it's definitely that but just throwing it in the mix.

[guest1262]

Auto lights on the Jazz are not known to be a power drain!

Has a power drain been confirmed?

It's mentioned in the manual for my 2010 Jazz Geoffers. And the same applies to the auto windscreen wipers. Both the headlights and wipers, it says, should be left 'off' - but surely they won't drain the battery in a couple of days?

That said, the interior light drained my battery in 36 hours. (As son-in-law to be gave me a jump start he mentioned that he'd never seen a battery so small before!). Not a silly question Adrian24, is an interior light left on?

[guest2662]

if the auto wipers and lights were meant to be left off whats the point in having them ?

[Geoffers]

if the auto wipers and lights were meant to be left off whats the point in having them ?

Well, you wouldn't want the wipers coming on in a car wash would you? 

[Geoffers]

@Geofffc,

Thanks for that Geoff, although it does say for 'a week or more'. Can't think why the sensor should be live with the ignition off!  Still, if the car were to be left at an airport ..... 

[guest1262]

@Geofffc,

Thanks for that Geoff, although it does say for 'a week or more'. Can't think why the sensor should be live with the ignition off!  Still, if the car were to be left at an airport ..... 

The last time I left our Jazz at an airport, and knowing that it would be moved, I left a note giving instructions to wit: 'The lights and wipers must be left off after moving'. Returning three weeks later they were off - and it started first time.