Parasitic draw

Tiny
EJ FELICIA
  • MEMBER
  • 2004 JEEP GRAND CHEROKEE
  • 4.0L
  • 6 CYL
  • 4WD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 173,000 MILES
Vehicle listed above is the Special Edition 4.0L Straight 6 4WD loaded. I have a parasitic draw and I need help to find it. I'd like help with the non intrusive method which is to check voltage drop across each fuse without having to worry about vehicle waking up. I was told a few things and I replaced the alternator, battery and computer but issue still remains. I have to disconnect the negative battery terminal every night so it won't drain the battery but this resets everything when I reconnect it. Hard to pass NYS inspection when none of your monitors are ready. 200 miles later only the EVAP monitor wasn't ready and I passed. There is nothing on that I can see in the interior or exterior so basically I just need to know how to set up my multi-meter where and how to test fuses to narrow down which circuit and fuse or relay is causing the draw. Also, is there a way to check relays in the junction box under the hood without pulling them out and causing the computer to throw a code? What about the maxi fuses? The are a bit bigger with a clear cover on them can you test these as well? It's beginning to be a hassle to disconnect the cable every time, I thought about installing a kill switch but that doesn't really solve my problem so short of buying a smart battery charger or maintainer to keep the battery charged overnight I don't know what else to do. Any help would be greatly appreciated. Thanks
Tuesday, December 10th, 2019 AT 4:00 PM

12 Replies

Tiny
ASEMASTER6371
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  • 52,797 POSTS
Good evening,

I attached a guide for you to follow for finding the drain. You measure current, not voltage. Voltage does not cause a drain, current flow causes the drain.

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

You should have no more than 50-75 milliamps.

Roy
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Tuesday, December 10th, 2019 AT 4:17 PM
Tiny
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That thread is helpful, however there is a way to find the draw without removing the fuses and checking with a multi-meter? I think it's millivolts but not sure how to set up my multi-meter, what fuses I need to check and not totally sure the testing you suggested is correct for a late model vehicle with all the bells and whistles. Please advise. Thanks
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Tuesday, December 10th, 2019 AT 4:40 PM
Tiny
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The procedure works on all cars with all the options.

You measure current, not voltage. You must remove the fuses one by one to isolate the circuit that is causing the draw.

Roy
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Tuesday, December 10th, 2019 AT 4:45 PM
Tiny
EJ FELICIA
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Okay, so I have a cheap harbor freight digital multi-meter what should the dial be on? Which ports should the leads be in? Black in COM and Red in V, ohms, mA? Or 10ADC? If I'm checking DCV would the dial need to be on the lowest millivolt setting which is 200m?
Thanks
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Tuesday, December 10th, 2019 AT 5:47 PM
Tiny
EJ FELICIA
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Or should it be black in COM, red in 10ADC and dial on DCA 20m? Or 10A? This is confusing sorry to bother you. Thanks for your help.
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Tuesday, December 10th, 2019 AT 5:49 PM
Tiny
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Remove the negative battery cable and put the red lead on the battery and the black lead on the cable. Set the meter on DC amps and read the meter.

Roy
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Tuesday, December 10th, 2019 AT 7:03 PM
Tiny
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DCA? Where does the red lead go on the multi-meter? My options are V, ohms, mA port or 10ADC port. Also do you find this method more accurate rather than checking voltage drop on the fuses? I've been on YouTube and there is a way to check fuses without removing but I'm confused about how to do this. Basically you put your leads on each fuse and if you get low to no readings that fuse and circuit is fine but if you get a higher than normal reading across the fuse then that is the circuit where the draw is coming from. Have you heard of this method? Thanks
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Tuesday, December 10th, 2019 AT 7:14 PM
Tiny
ASEMASTER6371
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You can set it on ma forget about YouTube. This is reality and this how it is done in the real world.

Roy
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Tuesday, December 10th, 2019 AT 7:21 PM
Tiny
EJ FELICIA
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Okay, so black in COM and red in mA. Dial on DCA? If so my options are 200m, 20m, 2000u and 200u. Thanks
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Tuesday, December 10th, 2019 AT 7:23 PM
Tiny
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200.

Roy
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Tuesday, December 10th, 2019 AT 7:33 PM
Tiny
EJ FELICIA
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Okay thanks. Wish me luck. I heard horror stories about not finding the draw on Chrysler vehicles. Is this a common problem with the 2004 Jeep? Have you come across this on any Jeeps you've serviced? If so do you have any tricks or tips as to where I should start? I also have different looking fuses in the PCB fuse box under the hood can I pull those too? What if a relay is stuck open? Will the fuse that reads a high mA lead me in the direction of the circuit or bad relay?
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Tuesday, December 10th, 2019 AT 8:29 PM
Tiny
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Just do the test.

Roy
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Tuesday, December 10th, 2019 AT 10:04 PM

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