Parasitic Drain Test.

4th January 2013, 16:16

Hey Guys.

Pretty much ever since i've had my saxo i've always had an issue with the battery feeling weak. For example I start the car fine no problems but the turn over has never sounded as powerful as I think it should (I replaced the battery thinking it just needed replacing but didn't fix my issue). But recently it's decided to not start at all. Whether this is because of the weather I don't know.

So, I had a mechanic look at it and he doesn't know and has passed me on to an auto electrician, i'm booked in for Wednesday. In the mean time however i'd quite like the opportunity to look my self.

I've looked at Eric the Car guys video and whilst its helpful I just don't have a clue what to do with the multimeter!

This is the multimeter I have...

Can someone tell me which leads go where, what setting it should go on. I don't know what the symbols mean so can you describe it to me please?

Also what figures should and shouldn't I be looking at on the screen when checking for a draw.

Many thanks.

5th January 2013, 02:04

For checking parasitic drain you want to disconnect the negative terminal battery and connect up your multimeter in series, set to read Amps.

Black lead in COM- and red in 10ADC.

Now obviously you will have some drain on their for things like the alarm, radio settings, ECU settings etc and in general you don't want to see any more than 0.02Amps. Anything more than that then you will have to start disconnecting electrical consumers until the drain drops.

6th January 2013, 20:24

I vote for this to be a Sticky.

As only been on hear for over a month. And the amount of Saxo's with electrical prob's. I'm beginning to think that the wiring harness's were made by ( Politically Incorrect ) Ass Holes.

6th January 2013, 20:31

Quote:

Originally Posted by Norm7446

I vote for this to be a Sticky.

As only been on hear for over a month. And the amount of Saxo's with electrical prob's. I'm beginning to think that the wiring harness's were made by ( Politically Incorrect ) Ass Holes.

Over time the wiring breaks down mate.

7th January 2013, 20:17

Quote:

Originally Posted by stevo67

Over time the wiring breaks down mate.

Yea. Just as I said. The wiring is substandard to start with. Only thing is that it seems to be the same bit of wiring that continues to brake down all the time.

9th January 2013, 00:36

I know this is an absolute nooby uneducated question but where exactly do I set the multimeter in relation to the image. What is the correct amp setting to put it on?

I know i'm stupid. Anything electrical and my mind turns to splooge.

11th January 2013, 20:25

Set the dial to 10A, whatever you do don't try to start the car or turn the ignition on whilst you're checking drain as you will blow the fuse in the multi meter

12th January 2013, 02:10

Quote:

Originally Posted by VTRelite

Set the dial to 10A, whatever you do don't try to start the car or turn the ignition on whilst you're checking drain as you will blow the fuse in the multi meter

Thanks VTRelite, turns out I was doing it right all along, I couldn't find a drain so instead of me thinking I was right I convinced my self i'd made a mistake. Auto electrician confirmed there wasn't a drain on the system.