Do I have a parasitic drain?
Make sure your vehicle is turned off, and remove the key from the ignition. Switch the multimeter to DC Amps and set it to the highest amp level. Now you can check the reading on your multimeter to see what the parasitic drain is. If no reading shows, slowly reduce the setting until a reading appears.
How to find and fix a parasitic battery drain?
You should see the multimeter display the number of Amps that are actively causing your battery drain. Use zip ties or small clamps to keep the multimeter leads connected to the battery terminal and battery wire. Tip: A normal operating vehicle will have about 50 milliamps of Amp draw on the battery.
Is there such thing as a parasitic battery?
It doesn’t involve parasites in your battery, so that’s a good thing. No need for HazMat suits, yet! A parasitic battery drain is just something that consistently and continually drains your battery. This could be a faulty relay, a headlight/dome-light switch, alternator, or any other electrical gremlins.
How to find out if your car battery is parasitic?
How to Find a Parasitic Battery Drain. When your car battery goes dead overnight, usually either the battery is at the end of its life span, or you left something on, such as a light.
How can I tell if my battery is draining?
Place one of the wire leads from the multimeter (it doesn’t matter which one) on the negative battery post and the other on the disconnected battery cable. You should see the multimeter display the number of Amps that are actively causing your battery drain.
How to find the cause of parasitic battery drain?
Luckily, you can usually find the cause of a parasitic draw yourself. Start by connecting a digital multimeter to the negative battery terminal of your vehicle. Then, remove the fuses one at a time while watching for changes in the multimeter’s reading.
How to fix a parasitic drain on a multimeter?
Disconnect the negative battery cable. On the amperage side of the multimeter dial, set it to 20 amps. Disconnect the negative battery cable. Touch a lead to the negative battery cable terminal. Touch the other lead to the negative battery post, completing the circuit within the multimeter, which will display the amp draw.
When to look for a parasitic power draw?
Your battery could be near the end of its service life and it should be recycled and replaced with a new one. If the battery test shows that it is still good, then it’s time to start looking at a parasitic power draw. While you’re under the hood (or at Advance Auto Parts), test the alternator.
How can I find out if my car has a parasitic draw?
Luckily, you can usually find the cause of a parasitic draw yourself. Start by connecting a digital multimeter to the negative battery terminal of your vehicle. Then, remove the fuses one at a time while watching for changes in the multimeter’s reading. Once the reading drops, you’ve found the culprit and can take steps to repair it.