Finding source of power drain?
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 1,426
Likes: 1
From: San Diego, CA Website: ChrisMitchell.us
Finding source of power drain?
OK, I guess its time I tackle this problem. If I let my car sit for 3 days without starting it my battery dies. So I assume I have an open circuit (or short?) somewhere. Here is what I was thinking of doing... If I hook up a multimeter to the battery and then start removing fuses from the fuse box then I might see a jump in power if I find one that cuts off the power drain. Is this correct??? I know its not a fool-proof plan but I might get lucky.
If I could find out which system is causing the power drain then it should be easy to fix, I have all the wiring diagrams.
What would you do?
:cheers:
If I could find out which system is causing the power drain then it should be easy to fix, I have all the wiring diagrams.
What would you do?
:cheers:
Melting Slicks
Joined: Mar 1999
Posts: 2,845
Likes: 2
From: Apex NC
Re: Finding source of power drain? (77Dream)
You're on the right track, but missing a few details. Disconnect the ground cable from the battery. Put your meter inline between the gound cable and the negative post on the battery. Make sure the meter is in DC current(amp) mode. You should see some small milliamp drain. As you start removing fuses, watch for the number to go down, meaning that the drain is going away. When the reading goes to near zero, you've got it.
If the reading doesn't go down once you've removed all the fuses, then the drain is in a non-fused circuit. At that point, disconnect the starter, then the alternator, and watch for the drop in current.
If the reading doesn't go down once you've removed all the fuses, then the drain is in a non-fused circuit. At that point, disconnect the starter, then the alternator, and watch for the drop in current.
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 1,426
Likes: 1
From: San Diego, CA Website: ChrisMitchell.us
Re: Finding source of power drain? (sb69coupe)
Thanks for the help, I sure I would have done it wrong and wasted a whole afternoon. I'll post my results this afternoon.
Thanks. :cheers:
Thanks. :cheers:
