How to diagnose a parasitic battery draw?
Part 2 of 3: So you have a parasitic battery draw 1 Glovebox: Sometimes you can peek through the opening of the glove box and see if any light shines through, or if you’re… 2 Trunk: If you have a friend handy, ask them to climb into the trunk. Shut it closed and have them check the trunk light… More …
How can you tell how many amps a car battery is drawing?
A multimeter might be a great idea to diagnose how many amps a car battery draws. An alternator charges the battery and supplies sufficient power to all the electric systems.
How can I tell if my car battery is draining?
If after several minutes the amp meter is showing a high reading, then you can know for sure that it is time to start hunting down the component that is causing the parasitic draw. Common places you want to look at are the areas that we actually cannot see too great, such as the light in the glovebox or the light in the trunk.
Can a car battery be dead the day before?
It is safe to say that every car owner reading this has likely experienced that time where you were leaving your home or walking out to your sitting car, only to discover that the battery in your car was dead. This scenario is very common, but this case is actually different because the same thing happened the day before.
Part 2 of 3: So you have a parasitic battery draw 1 Glovebox: Sometimes you can peek through the opening of the glove box and see if any light shines through, or if you’re… 2 Trunk: If you have a friend handy, ask them to climb into the trunk. Shut it closed and have them check the trunk light… More
What can draw on a car battery when the car is off?
The problem generally is not the door or the trunk lid itself, but rather the interior lights that will continue to burn as long as the door or trunk remain open. Even a simple dome light left on by accident will draw enough power from the battery to drain it in a day or two, leaving the battery incapable of starting the car.
How can I find out if my battery is draining?
Replace the fuse and disconnect each lamp, heater, or electrical device one at a time. Flip all of the switches that correspond to the components as well. Watch for the reading on the multimeter to drop to find out which component is causing the drain. For instance, say the offending fuse controls the power antenna as well as the radio.
What does it mean when your car battery is draining?
You may have had AAA or a certified mechanic check the charging system, and find both the battery and alternator to be functioning properly. Well then, there is something electrical in your vehicle that is draining your battery and that is what we call a parasitic battery draw.