Engine/Transmission (1994 - 1998) battery drain

[Christen]

i have a battery drain somewhere if i dont drive it daily. it takes 2 or 3 days for it togo down. it will go down to 10. 50 volts. alt. puts out 14. 30 volts when running. HOW do i find my drain??tnx guys

 

[FParisi]

Did you try cleaning the posts and cables? If there is corrosion they may not be getting fully charged.

How old are they? Maybe have them load tested.

Frank

 

[illflem]

The way to find a drain is to disconnect the + cable from both batteries then connect a 12 volt test light between one + pole and the cable. The light should glow very dim if nothing is wrong, this is the juice that runs your clock, radio memory and PCM flowing though the light bulb. If you have a drain the light will be bright, start removing fuses one at a time till the light goes dim, this will isolate the circuit that is causing the drain, go from there. If you have a short in your alternator there is no fuse, just pull the wires from the alternator and see if the light goes dim. The alternator is a actually a good place to start.

Make sure the key isn't in the ignition and the underhood light bulb is removed before you start testing. It's also a good idea to tape the door light switch down before you start, besides turning on the dome light the switch starts some other things going that draw power for a few minutes even after the door is closed again. Besides that you can't get at the interior fuses with the door closed.

 

[Jeff H]

Always learning something from illfelm.