Help how do I go about finding a battery drain?
Thread Starter
Team Owner
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From: Damn taxes! Pimpin' Ain't Easy in Massachusetts
2018 C4 of Year Finalist
St. Jude Donor '03-'04-'08-'09
Help how do I go about finding a battery drain?
What tools and where do I start? It's driving me crazy!! :crazy: :(
Team Owner
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From: San Diego , CA Double Yellow DirtBags 1985..Z51..6-speed
Re: Help how do I go about finding a battery drain? (Mr. Magoo)
I think you need a test light. A voltmeter would also work well. Set it up between the ground cable and the neg battery terminal. Unplug fuses until you find the culprit.
Racer
Joined: Jan 2003
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From: Birmingham AL
Re: Help how do I go about finding a battery drain? (Mr. Magoo)
You will need to check amp draw with an ammeter. If there is significant amp draw, pull fuses until you find what circuit is drawing amps. If the culprit cannot be found in the fuse panel, there are several fusible links and other circuits that must also be checked.
Thread Starter
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From: Damn taxes! Pimpin' Ain't Easy in Massachusetts
2018 C4 of Year Finalist
St. Jude Donor '03-'04-'08-'09
Re: Help how do I go about finding a battery drain? (jimswhite92)
You will need to check amp draw with an ammeter. If there is significant amp draw, pull fuses until you find what circuit is drawing amps. If the culprit cannot be found in the fuse panel, there are several fusible links and other circuits that must also be checked.
Where can I buy a Ammeter? Does it just hook up to the battery terminals?
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From: Boston, MA
Re: Help how do I go about finding a battery drain? (Mr. Magoo)
Magoo... behind your battery (well to the right of it if you're looking at it) is a junction box with about 6 red wires going to it. All of these go to different systems in the car. One of them you will always have a tiny draw from because of the radio needing a hot 12v all the the time to keep its memory settings. If you undo the nut holding them all down you can test each one at a time for continuity or a draw.
Thread Starter
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From: Damn taxes! Pimpin' Ain't Easy in Massachusetts
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St. Jude Donor '03-'04-'08-'09
Re: Help how do I go about finding a battery drain? (scorp508)
Thanks Scorp I'll give that a try.
Team Owner
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From: Boston, MA
Re: Help how do I go about finding a battery drain? (Ericthewolf)
Your cars computer draws power all the time too I believe. It is not alot but some.
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Racer
Joined: Apr 2003
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From: Morrill NE
Re: Help how do I go about finding a battery drain? (Mr. Magoo)
If your battery goes dead after a significant amount of time, this is normal. I had a problem on my 87 during winter storage, after 1 or 2 months the battery would be completely dead. After replacing several batteries ( is that ever a pain in the butt) I bought a trickle charger designed to keep a battery charged while not overcharging. When I'm storing the car for any length of time, I put the charger on, no more problems. Good Luck :chevy
Thread Starter
Team Owner
Joined: Jun 2000
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From: Damn taxes! Pimpin' Ain't Easy in Massachusetts
2018 C4 of Year Finalist
St. Jude Donor '03-'04-'08-'09
Re: Help how do I go about finding a battery drain? (sting ry)
If your battery goes dead after a significant amount of time, this is normal. I had a problem on my 87 during winter storage, after 1 or 2 months the battery would be completely dead. After replacing several batteries ( is that ever a pain in the butt) I bought a trickle charger designed to keep a battery charged while not overcharging. When I'm storing the car for any length of time, I put the charger on, no more problems. Good Luck :chevy
The Vette is at the paint shop for the next few weeks, I'll go through it then. In the meantime I disconnect the battery every time I park it. :rolleyes:
Safety Car
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From: Looks like I picked the wrong week to stop sniffin glue Orlando
Re: Help how do I go about finding a battery drain? (Mr. Magoo)
Don’t forget the starter, and alternator. You can disconnect these items one at a time and monitor amp draw. Never know what could have happened in there.
:cheers:
:cheers:
