Slow drain on battery * few days its dead

[Paul Bruchal]

On my soon to be 88' Pioneer, their is a slow drain on the battery and after afew days sitting, battery is dead... How would someone find where the power is getting drained to?

[Marine1Texas]

A few spots that I can think have problems I think are in or near fuse box, Relays under hood near battery, and the column where ignition wires are locked. I forgot starter relay is another one.

 

There are only a few places that have live power when the key is turned off. so your looking for wiring too those points and those connection points.

 

I would put full battery on it then have a drain check. get a charger that will detect how much amps is needed for full battery then shut off. Now with a already full battery it will stop with no drain or show a extra charge because of short or usage. First make sure it is not a bad battery. Then you can go from main positive cable and work its ways back. move the cables around and your tracing for a cut in a wire or what not. You may pull up some where and charging stops. then you narrow it down.

[jimoshel]

Put a amp meter in series with one of the battery cables. 5 amp should do it. Note reading. Now just start unhooking, disconnecting wires. Start with the 4, 0r 5 wires coming off the positive post. When you disconnect a wire and the meter drops to zero you have found the circuit the short is in. Now check all the components in that circuit and the wiring,

[gogmorgo]

Instead of disconnecting wires, you could pull fuses and/or relays. With the amp meter connected like Jim describes. Seems like it would be easier to me. Possibly less conclusive if the draw is upstream of them, but still easier in my mind.

[jimoshel]

You are absolutely correct. Just wasn't thinking. :thumbsup: