Originally Posted by
steven37
Hi, I know this is an old thread but I know exactly what the issue is. I also have a Chrysler Crossfire 3.2 coupe & although mechanics managed to get it through an MOT something has been draining the power from the battery. I have seen many threads from owners about this problem. After feeling like putting a hammer through my crossfire many times I finally found a real good auto technician who told me the following;
The car is earthed to the ground - the chassis - pop the hood/bonnet (I am English) look at the battery. Next to the battery is a very small black unit, you can actually follow the positive cable to it - this unit is faulty. A good auto electrician can fix this or order a new one & replace it. I know Mercedes re-called some early SLK units which were constructed with faulty units. As a Crossfire is basically a Mercedes SLK with a different body my money says some Crossfire models went off the ramps before Chrysler realised what was going on. DO NOT replace your alternator - it is not the issue it is this little black box next to the battery 100%.
Hope this helps all
Steven
The box you refer to is (I assume, correct me if I am wrong) the small cigarette box with the three fuses in it:
200Amp - entire harness of the car except the feed to the alternator, brake pump and engine cooling fan
50Amp - Brake pump
50Amp - Engine cooling fan
The other battery positive cable goes to the starter and then on to the alternator. So, essentially, the entire car's electrical system is fed thru that box,
AND, other than cooling fan, brake pump and alternator, the entire car is fed from the 200 amp fuse. Since almost ALL current flowing ("parasitic drain" or otherwise) flows thru that 200 amp fuse, of COURSE you will measure current going to it.
It is easy to pop the cover off, do so, you will see that there are only three fuses in there. The only way current can "leak to ground" in there is thru the plastic body of the box itself.
But since I like watching people learn, I encourage EVERYONE with a battery drain issue to replace that box. Do it first, then report back to this forum with your results.
