How To Perform a Parasitic Draw Test - EricTheCarGuy

Two years, several jump starts and 4 dead batteries. Multiple garages either couldn't do this test or refused to because of the time it takes. Twice to the dealer, twice to the shop in town that was supposed to be THE place for electrical issues. No one could figure it out. Thanks to you, I was able to diagnose the problem myself. 78 milliamp draw on the circuit that included the faulty door latches on my KIA Sedona. Getting them replaced tomorrow. I can't thank you enough for putting this video out there.

Even 10 years later, still a great video! You just helped to solve the problem with my car! 👍 🇨🇦 Thanks! 👍 🙏

I don't normally leave comments, but the Multimeter between the negative lead and terminal on the battery is SO smart to find that parasitic drain, Eric, you haven blown my mind yet again, thank you.

Eric, this is an outstanding video. I say this as a former school teacher and corporate trainer. I'm just a handyman and amateur mechanic but I know a good instructional video when I see one. Great detail and explanation of cause and effect. Thanks!!!

Eric your giving away knowledge for free and I am consuming everything. Thanks bro 👍

This video came in SUPER handy today for me. After replacing a bad battery a couple of weeks ago (it was tested and had a bad cell...about 5 years old), I tried to start my car today after it had sat for about 2 days, and it was completely dead again (lights wouldn't even turn on at all). I didn't have to test the fuses, because now that this was the second time that a battery completely drained (and this one was brand new), I knew it wasn't just a bad battery. I tested the alternator after I started it with a battery charger/starter, and it tested good (14.48 V). After that, with the help you provided here, I tested to see if I had a draw. I did -- 1.35 amps. I then coupled this information with odd behavior from my CD player that I hadn't had time to investigate yet. Whenever I started my car, it would eject the CD. With this information, I checked out my stereo to see if I could find anything wrong. Sure enough, the eject button was stuck pressed in. After pressing it several times, I got it to unstick. I continued to press it in and out to make sure it wouldn't stick anymore (I'll spray some lectra-motive cleaner into it later). Once it stopped sticking, I rechecked the draw, and it was GONE. Woo hoo! Thanks a bunch for posting this video! Though I didn't have to go through the process of checking each fuse, the overall logic got me to the solution WAY faster than I thought I'd find it. This took me a total of about 20-25 minutes, not including the time to watch this and a couple of other videos. You saved me a bunch of time and headache, not to mention possibly some money, had I ended up taking it to a shop to see if somebody else could figure this out.

Over 9 years later, this video is still helping people fix their cars. I had been fighting an issue on my 2003 Silverado 1500 for about 2 months of the battery dying. Had a 2.12 AMP draw on it… Some head scratching and fuse pulling led me to the instrument cluster fuse being the culprit. With fuse removed it went down to 0.052. So i decide to pull the cluster out, and found multiple corrosion marks on the back. $40 repair at a electronics shop, and I no longer need to carry a jumper box everywhere I go! Thank you so much for your knowledge and thorough explanation.

I found my parasitic draw. She weighed 250 lbs and she’s never coming bac!

Hey Eric. I'm 6'8" tall and weigh around 360. The point in trying to make is I don't fit in most trunks very comfortably, much less a glove box lol. One of the methods I use is to set my phone to record place it in the trunk/glove box/under hood. Aimed at the light bulb. Then close the unit, reopen and observe the footage Saving the fire department from having to use the jaws of life to get me back out.

you are another of my heroes.A man's man. thanks alot. you are a super helpful person. I don't know what's in it for you, but you should be rewarded for all the help you provide. Donyboy73 is another. thank you Eric. You should have your own show.

I'm an avionics technician on Military aircraft. Not having the wire diagram for a car sucks. Your information is spot on, excellent. My friends 2016 Durango had a .089 draw. Pulling the TCM fuse didn't do anything but it did when the fuse was put back in. We had a similar issue on "my" aircraft where a computer shuts down on battery power but failed to. Drained the aircaft battery. Thank you!

Been battling a parasitic draw for a few years. My "temporary" fix was to keep it on a battery tender since it sits most of the week. Now the battery has drained so many times it barely sits for an hour and seriously struggles to start. Going to replace my battery asap and find this freaking draw... also, 10 years later, this video got me to subscribe, so I'll see you when you get into your next shop!! Thanks big time man!!!!

Currently fighting this issue on a 2003 Ford Focus. Schooling taught me this years ago, but never had to practice it in the real world yet. This video just brushed up on all that knowledge, thank you so much! Old video, but still valuable!

I love it! When you re pulling the fuses, the "tension" is unbarable :)

Excellent video, 10 years ago and it is still relevant. Covered everything and didnt miss a detail. Thank you for taking the time to make this!

Thanks so much for this. I had my '08 Acura TSX (notorious for battery drain) tested for parasitic draw at a local service station; they claim to have found nothing. When the battery they sold me three months ago died, I followed your video and confirmed that the Hands-Free Link was drawing 230mA on its own. Disconnected it and now have a normal car again. Great job by you.

This makes so much goddamn sense that it makes me feel like I lack certain amounts of common sense...

Eric, you are one of the best YouTube educators out there. Thank you for these most excellent vids.

As always when I encounter something above my knowledgeably I find Eric to more times than not have the answers or advice to help me solve the issue. Love the fact that he covers everything in such great detail and does so in layman term so the that the average Joe that most of us diy's guys are can understand the sometimes complex terminology evolved in the automotive problem solving filed. Just an example as of today I'm trying to solve a head and tail light issue with my sons 2000 explorer and thought I had checked all fuses until I hear Eric mention that some vehicles have a fuse compartment in the rear part of the car and that reminded me of something that I had totally forgotten about. Sometimes a little fact like this can get overlooked and turn in to a big headache and that is what I appreciate the most about Eric's videos is his attention to every detail! Thanks Eric for making this channel available!

Excellent video with in detail commentary on parasitic battery drain issue. Thanks for posting!