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by Alfista on February 18th, 2007

Alfista

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I have a parasitic battery drain problem. I placed a multimeter in series between the negative post and the negative cable. The meter showed 12.5. I pulled every fuse in the car and still the meter showed 12.5 (sometimes higher). Now what can I check?

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Answers. 5 helpful answers below.

  • by Moosemose on January 7th, 2009

    Moosemose

    Strip it! Take All Wiring off of the + Terminal & don't allow them to touch each other or ground. Now go between the (+) Battery Terminal & each wire to see which one is "Drawing Current". When one shows "Current Draw", follow it out & start "Pulling Devices" in that circuit until it goes away. After Market Radios & Amps are a common problem as are bad "Blocking Diodes" in the "Regulator Circuit" of the Alternator!!! John

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  • by AlBarrs on January 7th, 2009

    AlBarrs

    Do you hear a clicking sound when you remove and reinstall the negative (-) battery cable? If you do remove each relay until you don't hear the click anymore. Then you will know what circuit is problematic and can troubleshoot it if its a system you don't need to drive the vehicle, leave the relay out and the circuit will be disconnected from the battery system.

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  • by dwallgren on November 1st, 2008

    dwallgren

    Forget the tests and pull the radio fuse. Drive normally for awhile to see if battery remains charged. Have had no problems since replacing the radio.

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  • by Sparks on January 20th, 2008

    Sparks

    I apologize if this doesn't apply, but I offer this as I have done it myself by accident. When you switch over the multimeter to DC current, did you remember to shift the red lead from the voltage input to the current input? On mine, if you don't, it actually displays voltage still, even though it is on the current range. 12.5A is suspiciously like 12.5V, that's all...

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  • by bjmellon on February 18th, 2007

    bjmellon

    I'll assume the meter was set for amperage. If that's 12.5 amps, there is a huge draw. It seems more logical that it is 12.5 milli-amps which would be acceptable in terms of drain. If in fact it is 12.5 amps, look for something that has a fusible link and not a "blade" style fuse, such as the alternator, starter solenoid... 12.5 amps would be a HUGE draw!! How long does it take for the battery to drain?

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You're reading I have a parasitic battery drain problem. I placed a multimeter in series between the negative post and the negative cable. The meter showed 12.5. I pulled every fuse in the car and still the meter showed 12.5 (sometimes higher). Now what can I check?

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