Can a parasitic draw ruin a car battery?
If a battery goes long periods without being recharged by the alternator, those tiny milliamps drawn by parasitic devices will kill it. Even normal parasitic drain, also known as “key-off drain,” puts wear and tear on a battery. Allowing a battery to go dead for long periods of time will cause sulfation.
Why does my Lexus RX330 have parasitic battery drain?
We’ve got the same problem with our 2008 IS250. The battery and alternator are fine, so we had an electric specialist come and have a look. We learned that there’s a parasitic drain from the onboard body control module which is discharging the vehicle when it’s switched off.
How to check for parasitic battery drain in a car?
Attach a multimeter (set the dial on the multimeter to measure Amps as per multimeters instructions) between the negative cable and the negative battery post. Wait a few seconds to several minutes for the car to go into sleep mode — i.e. when you make the contact with the ammeter, the car’s computer systems “wake up.”.
Where is the parasitic drain on a Toyota Corolla?
Most vehicles have more than one fuse panel. This one, on a Toyota Corolla, is located under the dash on the driver’s side. After pulling each fuse, observe the multimeter display to see if the amps drop. The fuse that reduces the amps is where the parasitic draw is located.
Can a body control module have a parasitic drain?
The body control module also powers the audio module which is another item that can sometimes have this parasitic drain problem. Either way it needs repairing or replacing and ‘regular’ garages don’t seem to have the software or coding skills needed to fix it.
What should my parasitic power draw be on my car?
Power draw should be under 50 milliamps. This will display as 0.05 amps. If it’s higher, that is your parasitic power draw. Well under 50 milliamps, and you’ll need to be shopping for a battery.
Most vehicles have more than one fuse panel. This one, on a Toyota Corolla, is located under the dash on the driver’s side. After pulling each fuse, observe the multimeter display to see if the amps drop. The fuse that reduces the amps is where the parasitic draw is located.
How to test electrical drain and parasitic load?
ELECTRICAL DRAIN/PARASITIC LOAD TEST Be sure to rule out any possible obvious influences, such as customer error or aftermarket equipment. Customer driving habits, such as regular short trips. This does not allow enough time to properly charge the battery. Refer to Battery Description and Operation.
How to fix a parasitic drain on the battery?
A failed diode in the alternator creates a closed circuit that drains your battery even when the engine is off. If you’re too busy during the workweek and can’t get to it until you’re off, some short term fixes are to disconnect the battery at night, and carry a portable jump starter in your vehicle.