How do you test for parasitic current draw?

How do you test for parasitic current draw?

It is always best to do a parasitic draw test from the negative side so there is no chance of accidentally shorting should you test from the positive side. Plug the black probe into the common (COM) jack input of the multimeter and the red probe into the amps (usually A) jack input.

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 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.

How long does it take a parasitic battery to drain?

Depending on the amount of current being drained, a parasitic draw will suck all the juice from your battery in a few hours or minutes. Here, you have four tests to help you find the culprit: The first three tests require the use of a digital multimeter.

What should parasitic draw be on light bulb?

Knowing how much amperage different components use in your vehicle can give you an idea of the circuit causing the parasitic draw. For example, if you find a parasitic draw of about .235 amps (235 mA), you may suspect a light bulb that is on all the time.

What is an acceptable parasitic draw?

A normal amount of parasitic draw for newer cars is between 50-milliamp to 85-milliamp current draw. A normal amount of parasitic draw for older cars is a reading less than 50-milliamp. Anything past these amounts indicates an electrical issue and should be addressed by a mechanic.

What is a parasitic drain test?

Parasitic drain test – battery. The purpose of this test is to evaluate the level of parasitic current draw from the battery during a vehicle’s shutdown phase and sleep periods.

What is a parasitic battery drain?

A parasitic battery drain is when an abnormal and continuous discharge of power occurs after having shut off the engine. Usually, this is caused by a short circuit or an electrical device that remains in the “on” position or energized, such as: A trunk.