Battery always on, why?

[FrictionTape]

With the battery connected, the battery light is always on, regardless if key is in the ignition or not. What could be causing the car to draw power continuously?

Thanks!

[e30onBBSs]

Is the battery actually dying?

[FrictionTape]

Yes, battery is always on whether the key is in the ignition or not. Battery light on dash illuminated.

[TobyB]

The 'battery' light is actually the alternator function light.

Is it the only thing that's on?

That would indicate a leaky diode in the alternator...
...if other things are working, you have a messed up ignition switch, or wiring...

Assuming, of course, you have an E30.

t

[FrictionTape]

So yes, the battery light is on whether or not the key is in the ignition. It is the only light on when key is not In the ignition. Without the key in the ignition, nothing else works (as you'd expect). The battery eventually drains.

[Das Delfin]

could easily be a short in your cluster

[FrictionTape]

could easily be a short in your cluster

Yes, but why is the battery dying?

[Das Delfin]

because there is a short in your cluster

current draw = dead battery

if your batt is 4 or 5 years old it will die faster as well

[FrictionTape]

[QUOTE=Das Delfin;4696001]because there is a short in your cluster

current draw = dead battery

if your batt is 4 or 5 years old it will die faster as well[/QUOTE

OK...that's helpful. I imagine it's now a matter of testing the connections and looking for signs of corrosion.

[TobyB]

That would indicate a leaky diode in the alternator...

The cluster is dead when the key is off. But the alternator has a direct connection to the battery, and to the battery light.

t

[FrictionTape]

The cluster is dead when the key is off. But the alternator has a direct connection to the battery, and to the battery light.

t

Brilliant......thanks for the insight!

[jlevie]

I'd suspect a failed voltage regulator in the alternator as the cause rather than a fault in the cluster. An easy check is to disconnect the exciter wire from the alternator. If the light goes out, the problem is in the alternator and new regulator/brush unit may fix it.

[FrictionTape]

I'll check that out.....thank you all