Slight crackling from battery area in boot

[woolley11]

Just noticed when cleaning the boot out on my B10
3.3 Touring, there is a feint crackling sound coming from
electrical area around the battery. I’m not sure if it’s actually coming from the box of tricks (the one that swings out into the boot - Nokia on it)

Would this be normal or a source of potential battery drain?

[Jules Sunleu]

Definitely doesn't sound right to me. A crackling noise would usually suggest a short (we had this on our house wiring a few years ago in the understairs cupboard and my sparky friend came over and found a slightly melted wire so a potential disaster averted). I'm no electrician so don't know how relevant this is to car 12 volt electrics but I'd be ringing my friendly local dealer and arranging to swing by for one of the mechanics to pop out and have a listen asap if it was me.

Good luck getting sorted.

[woolley11]

Yea it’s a bit of a strange one

It’s almost like a radio crackle to be honest but I will defo get it checked out

[Yad3100]

My escort has the original Nokia install and when the car started making a strange popping sound I tracked it down to the under dash speaker. I have stripped out all the electronics isolated any connections and left the cradle and phone for the looks. The system is redundant anyway as it was an early generation.

If you think it’s a module, just disconnect and see if the noise stops. Problem solved.

[woolley11]

Yes was thinking along those lines as won’t be using the system to be honest

I’ll see if that makes a difference

Cheers

[Yad3100]

Where are you on the East Ryyyding?

[woolley11]

Not far from York - market Weighton area - YO43 postcode

[Yad3100]

Not too far away. I’m in Sherburn.

Need to get you down to the motorist meet after lockdown ends, keen to see your touring and my mate will love it (he has my old e30 touring).

[woolley11]

Good stuff - keep me posted then. That’s not far away.

I just sold an E30 Touring 325 in Lachs, BBS alloys and leather. Been laid up for 12 years - I didn’t have time to do it up so passed the custodianship to someone else.

Got the B10 instead

[Yad3100]

Like this?

[woolley11]

Yep

[Yad3100]

I remember looking at that on eBay, thought I was settled with the e36 but still looking at e30 (especially chromie) and now been looking at alpina touring e34, e36 and e39.

[woolley11]

Traced the problem to a little speaker in the rear O/S of the car above the battery. Seemingly that’s where the crackling was coming from. Disconnected the multi plug and now all is quiet

Car probably won’t start now