Quote:
Originally Posted by thstone
Check the current pull on the battery (called parasitic draw) when the engine is off and the everything else is turned off.
Its an easy test to perform: Place an electronic multimeter in series with the battery negative terminal and monitor the current flow. .
If the value is greater than that, then you have a short circuit somewhere that is causing the battery to drain quickly. To find the source of the power drain, leave the multimeter in place and start disconnecting each fuse one by one. When the power draw drops to less than 80 milliamps, then you've found the circuit that is causing the battery drain. Look up what components are on that particular fuse circuit and then perform further testing on each component in that circuit (disconnect one by one) to the find the source of the high current draw.
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Make sure you are using the AMP function on your meter, not voltage. You will also find it a small challenge to keep the probes on the battery terminal and disconnected ground cable. this needs continuity to complete the circuits in your car, otherwise the battery is disconnected. Some folks drop vise grips on the terminal and alligator clip to the release lever and alligator clip to the bolt on the ground cable.
If you have a second meter, it is MUCH easier to read across the fuse for voltage, there are little holes in the back of the fuses for this. (slight voltage across fuse shows power flowing, then pull the fuse to quantify related power draw.
This way you aren't pulling fuses, jumping back and forth to your amp meter and you can quickly find circuits that are power draws. NOTE: Some of these power draws are normal.
Its fun!