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Topic: Is there an 'easy' way to check what's draining the battery?

in Forum: C4 Electrical


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Is there an 'easy' way to check what's draining the battery? (1/6)
 7/28/12 12:04pm
TEN A C
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Joined: 2/1/2012
Posts: 34

Ok, battery is new, starter is new, and alternator checked out fine. but.....something is still draining the battery....can you tell me where and how to start. I read something about pulling fuses.  Any assistance would be great.
 
I am able to jump it to start and ride all day.  The next morning battery is dead again.
 
Thanks for your help.


|UPDATED|7/28/2012 9:04:52 AM (AZT)|/UPDATED|
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Re: Is there an 'easy' way to check what's draining the battery? (2/6)
 7/28/12 1:21pm
SAYWHEN
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Posts: 82

http://www.wikihow.com/Find-a-Parasitic-Battery-Drainis

Above is a pretty good link....but you'll need a good VOM capable of reading amps and a FSM  (for the wiring diagrams)...as stated in the link after connecting the amp meter , wait a few minutes for the computers to go to "sleep"..to be safe i'd say 5-7 minutes, THEN start puling fuses one by one. A amp meter is much better IMO than trying to use a test light as you see in the video. Also there are many good videos on YouTube about checking for a battery drain (current draw)
If you have patience and take your time it's not that difficult for a weekend "diyer" IMO.
Keep in mind that when you have a door open while testing.... the interior light circuit will be "on"causing a "draw" on the amp meter...so it's best to remove the interior lighting fuse early in the process of testing IMO.           Good Luck and let us know how it turns out.Smile
 
 
As a side note I've also seen a few rare alternators which test "good" as far as charging and yet have a large draw when off and kill a battery over night...this wouldn't show up while removing fuses or relays. The way to test would be to remove the large red wire from the alternator and see if the draw goes away.


|UPDATED|7/28/2012 10:21:13 AM (AZT)|/UPDATED|
Re: Is there an 'easy' way to check what's draining the battery? (3/6)
 7/28/12 1:19pm
davep85c4
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|UPDATED|7/28/2012 10:19:04 AM (AZT)|/UPDATED|
Re: Is there an 'easy' way to check what's draining the battery? (4/6)
 7/28/12 3:27pm
martone_1
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Fernandina, FL - USA

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1985 Corvette Coupe


Joined: 4/9/2012
Posts: 109

go and buy fuse buddy they sell them at most parts store's. with the key in the off position insert it into one then all of the fuse locations and you will find the circuit that still has power going to it. easy peesy lemon squeezy. if it is not any of the fuse's then I would put an amp meter in line with the Alternator. good luck. I had this issue and it took me five minute's to find that my hood lamp was staying on fixed the mercury switch with a manual switch and bingo no more dead battery. or you can put a battery interupt switch in line with the negative cable on the battery and just switch it off when you store youre car. just might do the trick.
Re: Is there an 'easy' way to check what's draining the battery? (5/6)
 7/28/12 6:00pm
eddie20890
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lanoka harbor, NJ - USA

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1990 L-98 white/ red/black leather interior targa top auto 1975 L48 blue/black leather interior t tops auto


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Posts: 1363

IMO the drain is more than some accessory pulling the current. charge battery up fully and when car is cold feel the alternator. it should not be warm to the touch. they have internal regulators which can stick thus causing a major drain. had it happen to me on a car. mechanic suggested i check it and sure enough my alternator was hot when it shouldn't have been.

also as martone said about his underhood lights staying on, i would unplug them and see if that might be the cause. the plugs are by the headlights. i installed switches on mine as i dont need them on when i have the hood open in the daylight.  just have to flip the switch if i need them at night.
 
 


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Re: Is there an 'easy' way to check what's draining the battery? (6/6)
 7/29/12 8:55pm
Trooper
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Hermitage, TN - USA

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1990 C-4 Coupe Polo Green Saddle Interior L-98


Joined: 8/8/2010
Posts: 280

Is this a constant thing or an occasional thing? I have a problem with mine but it is only when something silly happens, like if my wife doesn't completely close the door. She drove it to work one day and it was dead when she came out, and once or twice when she left the passenger side door slightly ajar. I dont think it should drain that quickly from such a small drain so I think there is something else helping it. Will be interested in how this one turns out, please keep us posted.
 
 


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Allan Brenneis Nashville Tn. 1990 Polo Green Coupe Saddle Interior Chrome ZR-1 Rims https://www.c4vetteregistry.com/member_uploads/14501_14600/14572/image2014329104347r.jpg

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