My infamous Corolla has a parasitic power drain somewhere and I don't know how to figure it out. Does anyone know how much it cost to fix this type of strange problem. It comes and go and sometime it persist for days and sometime it would occurs just once every 5 months. It has been going on for 5 years.
Mmechtech2
JoinedSep 5, 2006Messages19,478LocationChicago Area
- Apr 7, 2010
- #2
Get a common multimeter and set it to Amps. Put it in series with either battery cable to the battery. [requires taking off a cable, get it?] Then note the Amp reading. 25-50 MA is about normal - maybe a little more. Start pulling fuses to see which circuit is having a big draw.
Sscurvy
JoinedFeb 19, 2007Messages2,405LocationChicago IL USA
- Apr 7, 2010
- #3
How much to fix it? I'll fix it for $40. Unhook your battery. No more parasitic drain! Paypal address is in my profile. Thanks!
AARCOgraphite
JoinedMay 17, 2009Messages18,644LocationN.H, U.S.A.
- Apr 7, 2010
- #4
Many times its a 1) broken lighted vanity mirror wire, corroded bulb terminals, courtesy light on always (check boot area or hatch or under bonnet) Shorted power-seat wire or seatbelt reminder under DS or PS seat shorting to seat spring. These are a few I have found when I was a mechanic. I will assume you would see the A brake light SWITCH STUCK on
JHZR2
Staff member
JoinedDec 14, 2002Messages49,022LocationNew Jersey
- Apr 7, 2010
- #5
Good list!!!
AARCOgraphite
JoinedMay 17, 2009Messages18,644LocationN.H, U.S.A.
- Apr 7, 2010
- #6
I forgot: puddle lamps on doors - and other wiring through door hinge area. Good luck!
CColt45ws
JoinedAug 15, 2006Messages10,060LocationCentral Washington
- Apr 7, 2010
- #7
Ive had terrible luck trying to test for a parasitic load on my Vic. I cant get the multimeter to keep a connection when I disconnect the battery so everything resets.
Mmechtech2
JoinedSep 5, 2006Messages19,478LocationChicago Area
- Apr 8, 2010
- #8
Colt - Get some clamps - alligator clamps or whatever.
CColt45ws
JoinedAug 15, 2006Messages10,060LocationCentral Washington
- Apr 8, 2010
- #9
I was able to get it done last night. I got .25A of draw. I traced it to the power point fuse as it dropped to nearly nothing. I removed my GPS then closed my door which interrupted power for a moment. The lighting control tried to flash my headlights when it reset (forgot about that) and smoked my DMM. I pulled the DMM apart and found a burned trace on the board attached to the plugs. I scraped off the material covering the trace. Then I was able to tin the trace with solder. Tried again (pulled the headlight fuse this time) and got 40mA.
SSuperBusa
JoinedMar 2, 2009Messages2,371LocationWA
- Apr 8, 2010
- #10
Originally Posted By: M1Accord My infamous Corolla has a parasitic power drain somewhere and I don't know how to figure it out. Does anyone know how much it cost to fix this type of strange problem. It comes and go and sometime it persist for days and sometime it would occurs just once every 5 months. It has been going on for 5 years.
Hhooligan24
JoinedSep 5, 2007Messages903Locationwa state
- Apr 8, 2010
- #11
So, if the meter is reading between 25-50MA and you happen to pull the fuse on the system that is causing the draw, what will the muilt meter do?
CColt45ws
JoinedAug 15, 2006Messages10,060LocationCentral Washington
- Apr 8, 2010
- #12
Should go lower. Although I also had an issue when I pulled a fuse it caused a relay to rapidly cycle for some reason, so the load went up. 25-50mA is an acceptable number, though.
Bbrianl703
JoinedMay 7, 2004Messages12,767LocationNokesville, VA
- Apr 9, 2010
- #13
Originally Posted By: Colt45ws Ive had terrible luck trying to test for a parasitic load on my Vic. I cant get the multimeter to keep a connection when I disconnect the battery so everything resets.
SSuperBusa
JoinedMar 2, 2009Messages2,371LocationWA
- Apr 9, 2010
- #14
Originally Posted By: brianl703 Originally Posted By: Colt45ws Ive had terrible luck trying to test for a parasitic load on my Vic. I cant get the multimeter to keep a connection when I disconnect the battery so everything resets.