Please Help...Electrical Problem

limppimp

Founding Member
Mar 10, 2002
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I have done some searching on this problem and cant seem to get a clear answer. My car battery keeps draining when the car is turned off. When it sits over night it is completely drained the next morning. I had the alternator tested and it was fine. This is also my second brand new battery. I hear you can hook up a multi-meter and pull fuses to find out which circuit is draining. How exactly do you do this? I am a beginner when it comes to using a multimeter and electrical problems so I need specifics on everything. Thanks!
 
I wish I could help you on that. Electrical problems can be a pain to track down. I had an injector lead short out on the upper intake, and ran through a ton of stuff trying to find it.

Start simple I guess. Pull out any suspicious aftermarket gear (car alarm, etc.).

And use the Haynes manuel or electrical schematic. Maybe they will say something about multimeter testing for shorts too.

I you still don't get a response here, I'd call you local Napa or other good parts store. A lot of times you can find a good former dealer mechanic there who will help with this kind of stuff. Or last ditch go to you dealer and ask there.

(Hey, at least I gave you a thread bump if nothing else.)
 
limppimp said:


Ok new to computer talk.. what the heck is bttt?

As far as a Parasitic draw, that cant be diagnosed without actualy doing it...

The guy before had it right when he said to start at the installed stuff.
Then, move on to checking your car one step at a time, dont bounce around, hit the ignition circuit completely before moving on to the next series of curcuits...lights, brakelight switches, and such....
Get a good simple wiring diagram, and a case of patience..
:nice:
 
DIsconnect the positive battery cable. Put your meter between the post and cable. Note the reading with all circuits off (make sure the underhood light and doors are closed). Then start pulling fuses and when you pull one out that makes the reading dip, you have found a circuit that is drawing on the battery.

Good luck.
 
limppimp said:
bttt means back to the top

How do I go about testing the circuit though?


I do it with a multimeter...

In your case use the process of elimination, by unhooking one componet at a time to see which one is the culprit.
then you can go from there to see what you need to do to correct it.
****Edit*****
LOL While my hunt and peck typing was going on Hissin. Gave you the perfect textbook answer to doing it with the multimeter... so now you have no excuse to not get it done...lol...