Something is drawing power, battery keeps dying
02-22-2011, 08:24 AM
#11
Senior Member
You can try disconnecting one of your battery cables and place, in line between the cable and the battery post, a 12volt test light. Normally the test light will glow dimly. If you have a drain on the battery it will glow brightly. At this time you can begin by pulling the suspected fuses. When you pull the fuse on the draining component the light will either go dim or go out completely. The reason why it may glow dimly is because of the radio, power seats, or any component which may have memory. You can also use a multimeter with and amp meter. i believe that the max on the drain, w/o having a problem, is .5 amps.
Last edited by JimFX4; 03-09-2011 at 10:32 AM.
02-22-2011, 08:46 AM
#12
Moderator (Ret.)
You can try disconnecting one of your battery cables and place, in line between the cable and the battery post, a 12volt test light. Normally the test light will glow dimly. If you have a drain on the battery it will glow brightly. At this time you can begin by pulling the suspected fuses. When you pull the fuse on the draining component the light will either go dim or go out completely. The reason why it may glow dimly is because of the radio, power seats, or any component which may have memory. You can also use a multimeter with and amp meter. i believe that the max on the drain, w/o having a problem, is 5 milliamps
08-11-2014, 01:40 PM
#15
Junior Member
Join Date: Jan 2013
Posts: 2
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Parasitic drain
Did a circuit by circuit test using my mate my multigauge and found in a 7.5 amp draw that was not constant . Initially test seemed to show the draw coming from the alternator. But further testing showed a purple and white wire coming from the power distribution box all the way under the side panel through the back was crimped behind the backseat. The purple and white wire is what is powering the power seats in my 04 Lariat. It was grounding next to the seatbelt bolts the wire had become frayed somehow so it was grounding out intermediately. Repaired and insulated the wire,retested for a draw and now have .02 mA of a draw which is consistent with the constant for the battery alarm and radio memory. Hope this helps you out buddy..
I got a few things wired to my battery and I think somethings slowly drawing power. I have my driving lights and my CB wired directly to it and if I let my truck sits for a good day or day and a half I have to get a jump and its a huge pain in the ***. What could I have done wrong in wiring my stuff? Thanks
