### Introduction If you've driven cars long enough, you can relate to our readers' stories about cars with dead batteries. Since few people get into the driver's seat without intending to drive, turning the ignition key only to hear a click, or nothing at all, is disturbing. But what if your car battery is draining even when the engine is turned off? In this article, we'll explore the causes of parasitic battery drain and how to diagnose and fix it. ### What is Parasitic Battery Drain? Parasitic battery drain is a low-amperage draw within the car's electrical system that slowly depletes the battery over time. This can happen when the car is turned off, often overnight or over a few days. The problem with parasitic battery drain is that you may not know there's a problem until your car won't start. ### How to Diagnose Parasitic Battery Drain To diagnose ...
### Introduction
If you’ve driven cars long enough, you can relate to our readers’ stories about cars with dead batteries. Since few people get into the driver’s seat without intending to drive, turning the ignition key only to hear a click, or nothing at all, is disturbing. But what if your car battery is draining even when the engine is turned off? In this article, we’ll explore the causes of parasitic battery drain and how to diagnose and fix it.
### What is Parasitic Battery Drain?
Parasitic battery drain is a low-amperage draw within the car’s electrical system that slowly depletes the battery over time. This can happen when the car is turned off, often overnight or over a few days. The problem with parasitic battery drain is that you may not know there’s a problem until your car won’t start.
### How to Diagnose Parasitic Battery Drain
To diagnose parasitic battery drain, follow these steps:
1. Shut off the car’s ignition and switch off any lights or radios.
2. Disconnect the negative cable from the battery and secure it so it cannot contact the battery terminal or other components.
3. Allow about 30 minutes to pass to ensure the car’s computer has shut down.
4. Use a multimeter to test for amp-draw between the negative battery terminal and the secured negative cable.
### What to Look For
Ideally, you want to see less than 50 milliamps, with lower readings even better. If your amperage reading is more than that, your car battery is experiencing parasitic drain, and you’ll need to find the source.
### Finding the Source
There are a couple of ways to find the source of the drain. One easy method involves checking individual fuses until you find the offending circuit. Other common sources of parasitic drain include:
* Faulty sensors or gauges
* Bad connections or corrosion
* Alarming systems that remain active even when the car is turned off
### Fixing Parasitic Battery Drain
Once you’ve identified the source of the drain, you can fix it. This may involve replacing faulty sensors or gauges, cleaning or replacing bad connections, or disabling the alarming system.
### Conclusion
Parasitic battery drain is a frustrating problem that can leave you stranded with a dead battery. By following these simple steps, you can diagnose and fix the problem before it’s too late. Remember to always keep an eye on your battery’s health and take action if you notice any unusual behavior.
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