Battery Keep Dying? Simple Tests For A Battery Drain (Parasitic Draw)

There's nothing worse than your car not starting when you need it! A dead battery can really ruin a single day...but what if it keeps happening? You charge it up or replace it and it dies again. You're dealing with a battery drain or parasitic draw. This video will demonstrate how to perform a parasitic draw test and diagnose the cause of the dead battery. Enjoy!

Here are the two multimeters used

0:00 Ensure battery is ok
1:18 Install multimeter
1:55 Prep vehicle for testing
2:38 Read parasitic draw
3:22 Importance of visual inspection
3:55 Why NOT pull fuses
5:30 What to test
6:42 Voltage drop test fuses
8:03 Circuit inspection
8:30 Verification
9:12 Conclusion

[jordancushings]

Thank you, I have a parasitic draw somewhere on my vehicle and after spending £700 to keep my car on the road already this year I was fearing the worst. Had the battery and alternator tested they were fine. Thanks to your video I have gained the confidence where I'm going to have a go myself and see if I can work out the problem. Massively appreciate how easy and understandable you made it to follow (hopefully i can sort this now) thanks again 😊

Your explanation was great . The fact that a fuse is around 0 ohms made me wonder about a voltage drop but like you said nothing is perfect conductor . The small drop now makes sense .
It's not so much the amount of voltage drop but the fact that there is any voltage drop means there is current flow .
Thank you !

[bernardaflores]

Welcome back my friend, the new garage looks amazing. Great info regarding this current draws, some are easy while others not so much!

[manueltorres]

I have a 2006 GMC Sierra Denali that's had a parasitic drain for the past 2 yrs since I've bought it. I've never been able to figure out the problem, but I feel this video will point me in the right direction in getting my problem solved.

[billyyoder]

Welcome back Mike. Good to see you. Have a blessed and safe week.

[SchrodingersBox]

Great job. I started adopting the voltage drop method years ago- it’s way better than pulling fuses. I also only ever use an amp clamp now as leaving the meter in amp mode accidentally can be majorly catastrophic on your next circuit test.

[joefleming]

Mike, you do a VERY good job of clearly explaining things!

[arbez.nation]

It's good to see you, Mike. It has been too long. I was wondering where you had shuffled off too. Nice review of the basics. It is enough to get someone started in the right direction. I snickered a little when you said "if you only have one multimeter". Who only has one multimeter? I have dozens. I can't stop buying them. I'm still looking for the perfect EDC meter. Somewhere out there is "my precious". No, I don't have a problem (self-diagnosed). Maybe the next one will be the one... Still looking.

[reddah]

Ok I’m in the Bahamas, and after a 2 year drain, your video definitely helped me find my parasitic drain on my ‘14 Rdx. Thanks so much

[rickrogers]

I learned it's not just new vehicles that can take some time to go to sleep. I have a 20 year old Ford Ranger (built back when CAN was something soup came in) that had a parasitic draw. Found the problem in an aftermarket alarm but still had a draw. I did some research and found a battery saver relay stayed picked for 40 minutes. Thanks for the video Mike. It's always good to see you.

[simonlittlejohn]

Great video and fantastic explanation. However some draws are not apparent unless the vehicle is locked such as alarm systems. With testing how you have shown without locking the vehicle you may not see the issue. You are best to connect the meter in parallel to the battery ground. Lock the vehicle and allow it to go to sleep as it would be with the customer. You then loosen the battery ground and slowly lift being careful not to lose connection and connect your meter onto the battery pole. You can then remove the battery ground completely so all the current goes through your meter and you are then testing the vehicle as it would be with the customer.

[whatworkedforme]

best practical explanation of voltage drop I have seen... a good visual demonstration. Thanks from us here in England

[mrkttrdr]

Good to see u back, don’t be a stranger, always clear concise informative vids thanks, be well

[mikechiodetti]

Hey Mike Long time, no see! Glad to see you back.
I had used this method for a few years prior to retirement with success. Intermittent key off draws were the worst, sometimes a heat gun would help the offending part to become a full time current draw, or tapping with a screwdriver handle would help.
Hope the family's doing well. Hang in there, spring's on the way.
Take care.

[mannymalistic]

Your process is logical and very enlightening. I'm dealing with an OBD Reader showing engine switch on V of 10.8 but direct meter read off +/- battery terminals of 12.9V. Brand new alternator and new battery. Will replace battery current sensor and hope for improvement, otherwise will embark on parasitic draw investigation using your technique! Thank you, quite informative!

[Toyotaguy]

Great explanation of voltage drop testing, and parasitic draw, probably do this test 2 to 3 times a week. Great job.

[richardcranium]

good to see ya again mike. hope all is well in your world. i'll add 50 millivolts will read 0.050 on the meter. pulling the fuse one also must be sure said fuse runs nothing else. the tough ones are the intermittant ones. the only way is to catch them in the act.

[thisorthat]

Thanks for mentioning to open all doors, trunk, hood, and lock the doors. I have watched a lot of videos on parasitic draws and you are the first person to mention opening the doors and listening for clicks.

[ajheiskell]

Thanks!! The opening doors and tripping the latches was a great tip!

[d.d]

Good to see you back Mike. We missed you.