93stacks

Hey guys i have been having a problem with my battery draining over about two days. i dont know whats causing this. how should i test this. i am assuming use my multimeter and with the truck off remove a fuse and check in between load and supply? and i could also check continuity from either contact and ground to find a short correct? what would you guys do?
Thanks Steve

Santaclaus

Yes, definitely with the engine off. Depending on the amount of leak are usually disconnect the battery lead negative side and place a small light bulb between that and the negative battery terminal and the negative battery cable, it should light if it doesn't you need a smaller light. Then you can disconnect one thing at a time until the light goes out or at least dims. Some radios and other ad on electronic devices sometimes pull a little current all the time. But generally they do not pull enough to hurt your battery.

If you get to the point where you still have a short but it is not like the light you can put a digital volt meter between the light and the battery with the voltmeter set to damp scale usually they are 10 amps. By keeping the light bulb in the circuit you will not hurt the voltmeter if you short something out as it will just like the light bulb.

Good luck you're hunting a needle in a haystack and sometimes it is a mighty big a stack.
Mike

ClassA4x4

I use a Craftsman digital AC/DC ammeter. It's a clamp on type where you clamp the sensor around the wire without disconnecting it. You can use it on any wire to get the draw, the engine running or not. Get yourself an early Christmas present and get the one that has a DC capability; it's $60 from Sears. It's also a multimeter.

97catintenn

Both are great ideas. Once you have a reading on the volt meter (or the test light is lit), then start pulling fuses one at a time till the light goes out.

Then at least you have narrowed it down to which circuit is the problem.

97catintenn

If the short is strong enough to damage the multimeter, then wouldn't the battery already be toast?

ClassA4x4

Yes the OP says his battery is toast (drained) in 2 days. That amount of current load (probably in the 5 to 10 amp range) in series with the leads of a regular multimeter in the ammeter range can ruin the multimeter.

carl48

that is why he said to series it with the lamp. this way you can not hurt the meter

93stacks

alright thanks guys. i will try this later today, dont really want to but have to lol

cougar

There are a few lights that do not need the key on to be on. I would go out at night and see if you have any mystery glows. Something as simple as your under hood light not turning off can drain a battery in a couple of days.

Jim Lane

Common battery drain are:
Glove Box lamp,
Under Hood Lamp,
Halo Ring not turning off.
Brake lights staying on. (bad switch or trailer brake control)

If I happen to leave my DVD player on or video screen on all night I will have a low battery in the morning.

I have most of my IGN accessories on separate override switches so I can run them without the key.

Jim

97catintenn

But you can't hurt the meter if there is a load. That is my point.

autocar56

I use a test light ,I 'll disconnect the negative battery cable connect the test light between the cable and battery post disconnect the hood light, doors shut, key off. If their is a drain the light will come on, it might be very dim or bright, if it blows replace the bulb, if it lights up dim or bright start pulling fuses with the doors shut, dim light gives the ok for multimeter safety.

93stacks

hood light is on a switch cause i have multiple lights under there for better lighting,
No glove box light
No halo ring light
Brakes are good
And i m still lazy enough to go out and check.