Battery charge

Tiny
APESTYLADY
  • MEMBER
  • 2006 HYUNDAI TUCSON
  • 4 CYL
  • 2WD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 68,000 MILES
I purchased a used vehicle from a car dealer and the battery won't hold a charge if the vehicle sits for a couple of days without being used. If it is driven every day, it starts fine. How can I check if it is the battery or if something is draining the battery.
Monday, July 25th, 2011 AT 3:03 PM

1 Reply

Tiny
WRENCHTECH
  • MECHANIC
  • 20,761 POSTS
There is a procedure for finding a battery draw like that.

You will need a digital ammeter and a jumper wire with clips on the ends to do this.
First rig any door switches so you can have a door open without triggering the interior lights and unplug the hood light. Remove one battery cable and attach the meter in series between the battery cable and battery post. Take the jumper wire and also attach it the same way. Leave the jumper wire on for at least 10 minutes to expire all the automatic timers. Now remove the jumper wire and read the meter. Anything over 50ma is too much draw. The way you locate this is to start removing fuses one at a time until the meter drops to normal level. This will be the circuit with something staying on. Determine what components are part of that circuit and check them individually until the problem is isolated.
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Monday, July 25th, 2011 AT 3:19 PM

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