Parasitic draw - battery drains overnight?

Tiny
JASON OPOULOS
  • MEMBER
  • 2008 HONDA ACCORD
  • 150,000 MILES
How will putting a multi-meter between the post and the cable tell me where the draw is coming from?
Monday, January 30th, 2017 AT 3:13 PM

19 Replies

Tiny
HMAC300
  • MECHANIC
  • 48,601 POSTS
You leave it on and then start pulling fuses to see which area the problem is in. When the needle drops you found it. Pull fuses one by one. This guide will help show you what to do

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/car-battery-dead-overnight

Please run down this guide and report back.
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Monday, January 30th, 2017 AT 3:17 PM
Tiny
KEN L
  • MASTER CERTIFIED MECHANIC
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It could be a bad battery. this guide can help confirm the issue:

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/car-battery-load-test

Please let us know.
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Wednesday, September 30th, 2020 AT 3:42 PM
Tiny
MATTHEW TAYLOR TAYLOR
  • MEMBER
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  • 2005 HONDA ACCORD
  • 2.4L
  • 4 CYL
  • 2WD
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  • 142,140 MILES
Replaced starter alternator and battery, but battery keeps draining. Runs and drives until battery drains out, then ABS light brake light comes on and dash freaks out with loss of throttle response.
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Wednesday, September 30th, 2020 AT 3:43 PM (Merged)
Tiny
KASEKENNY
  • MECHANIC
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Everything that happens sounds like a result of the battery draining. We need to start with testing what the output of the alternator is even though you replaced it. Basically we need to test it and then test what the voltage is while the engine is running.

Here is a guide on how to test the alternator:

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/how-to-check-a-car-alternator

Then we need to measure voltage across the battery when the engine is running. Let me know both of these results and we can go from there. Thanks
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Wednesday, September 30th, 2020 AT 3:43 PM (Merged)
Tiny
TREENA
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  • 2004 HONDA ACCORD
  • 6 CYL
  • 2WD
  • MANUAL
  • 115,000 MILES
My 2004 Honda Accord sedan will not start. When I put the key in the ignition absolutly nothing happens. The keyless remote doesnt work either. I recieved 2 boosts, the car then started, but when I turned the car off and tried to restart, it would not. Could the battery be completly drained
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Wednesday, September 30th, 2020 AT 3:44 PM (Merged)
Tiny
MASTERTECHTIM
  • MECHANIC
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There are 2 possible causes. Either your battery is no good or the alternator is not charging the battery and needs to be replaced. You need to properly charge the battery before any testing can be done.
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Wednesday, September 30th, 2020 AT 3:44 PM (Merged)
Tiny
HEYMIKE87
  • MEMBER
  • 4 POSTS
  • 2001 HONDA ACCORD
  • 2.3L
  • 4 CYL
  • FWD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 100,000 MILES
Since approximately two months, my new battery from this summer can't hold a charge for more than one or two days without being used. I got the battery checked at a garage and it is still good. With my ampmeter I found a leak of 0.13 to 0.15A. Removing each fuse one by one didnt help me to find the leak. I don't know if this leak has always been present, but in my opinion I think that a leak of 0.13A isn't enough to drain all my battery so I can't start it in like 36 hours. The last fix I had on my car was the heather control valve replacement about 3 months ago. Could it cause a probleM? And If I disconnect the battery after I use it, the car can easily start again one week later.
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Wednesday, September 30th, 2020 AT 3:44 PM (Merged)
Tiny
HMAC300
  • MECHANIC
  • 48,601 POSTS
Try unplugging the abs unit
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Wednesday, September 30th, 2020 AT 3:44 PM (Merged)
Tiny
HEYMIKE87
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By abs unit you mean the abs relay in the fuse box?
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Wednesday, September 30th, 2020 AT 3:44 PM (Merged)
Tiny
HEYMIKE87
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And I think there is some relay / fuse for abs in my car but I don't remember it working since I have the car (4 years ago). There is no abs light in the dash neither
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Wednesday, September 30th, 2020 AT 3:44 PM (Merged)
Tiny
HMAC300
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See pic
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Wednesday, September 30th, 2020 AT 3:44 PM (Merged)
Tiny
HEYMIKE87
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Ok I saw it but what should I get from this?
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Wednesday, September 30th, 2020 AT 3:44 PM (Merged)
Tiny
HMAC300
  • MECHANIC
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It may stop the draw on your battery then you knot the problem is.
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Wednesday, September 30th, 2020 AT 3:44 PM (Merged)
Tiny
DREED335
  • MEMBER
  • 1 POST
  • 2000 HONDA ACCORD
  • 6 CYL
  • FWD
  • MANUAL
  • 118,000 MILES
Need help have a 2000 Honda accord that keeps draining the battery and then it goes bad have had three in the past two month I have done a load test with a volt meter let me describe how I took off the negative battery side of the cable from the battery and place the volt meter wires one to the negative side to the battery and the other side to the negative cable and I get no response im I doing this right or whath as anybody else have had this problem with there Honda and if so did you get it fix and what was the problem
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Wednesday, September 30th, 2020 AT 3:45 PM (Merged)
Tiny
ISLAND_PRIDE71
  • MEMBER
  • 62 POSTS
The voltmeter negative lead goes to the negative side of the battery and the positive lead from the meter goes to the cable. NOTE: When you're doing the test make sure there's nothing On such as the glove box and trunk lights are not On etc.

If you get a battery voltage that means you have a short circuit in the electrical system. Start removing fuses one @ a time. The fuse that drops the voltage to zero is the trouble circuit. If you remove all the fuses and you still have battery voltage disconnect the alternator and see what happens.
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Wednesday, September 30th, 2020 AT 3:45 PM (Merged)
Tiny
BLGIBLIN
  • MEMBER
  • 5 POSTS
  • 2000 HONDA ACCORD
  • 6 CYL
  • AWD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 53,000 MILES
Having trouble starting car. Got a new battery and my alternator was replaced. Went to start this am and the battery was dead need jumpstarted. Runs after jump started. Took it to dealer a couple of weeks ago they said it was my radio drining power replaced radio still having problems. Also seems like cool ait is always blowing out vent. What to check next?
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Wednesday, September 30th, 2020 AT 3:45 PM (Merged)
Tiny
RASMATAZ
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This guide can help us find the problem

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/car-battery-dead-overnight

The field circuit is controlled by the computer could be a problem there. See below


https://www.2carpros.com/forum/automotive_pictures/12900_alty_honda_1.jpg

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Wednesday, September 30th, 2020 AT 3:45 PM (Merged)
Tiny
BLGIBLIN
  • MEMBER
  • 5 POSTS
Thanks rasmataz. What do I need to do there?

Here is another bit of info: I ran a test between the negative pole of the battery and the negative cable and pulled fuses until the light went dim. The radio/cigarette lighter fuse makes the light go very dim. The dealer found this too when they checked it out. I replaced the radio but still have the problem. I pulled the cigarette lighter out and it remains disconnected.

I also hear a hissing noise from the passneger footwell. It's like the noise the air conditioner makes but the AC isnt turned on. I get a lot of dripping water under the car when I park it, even on cool (55 degrees) days. I checked and its just water.

If anyone can help, thanks.
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Wednesday, September 30th, 2020 AT 3:45 PM (Merged)
Tiny
RASMATAZ
  • MECHANIC
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I gave you this because the alternator might not be putting out and you're running only with battery power without the help from the alternator due to a problem with the field generation controlled by the computer-something like a built in voltage regulator not maintaining the output of the alternator.

The best way to check for the parastic drain is to use an ammeter-see below the light should go out when you pull the fuse on the radio/lighter-25milliamps and below is allowable due to the vehicle memories-radio/clock etc.


https://www.2carpros.com/forum/automotive_pictures/12900_parastic_draw_1_1.jpg

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Wednesday, September 30th, 2020 AT 3:45 PM (Merged)

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