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Wednesday, January 20, 2010

DIY-How to Find a Parasitic Battery Drain

I found out my car battery always losing its charge after I leave it overnight. I am sure i did not accidently left the headlight on. Also I just change the battery 2 weeks ago. I think my Gen 2 got a parasitic battery drain.

Click Read more for detail on how i did this. --->

I got below procedure from (http://www.wikihow.com/Find-a-Parasitic-Battery-Drain). Add info on what I did for my Gen 2.
Introduction
When your car battery goes dead overnight, usually either the battery is at the end of its life span, or you left something on, such as a light. Occasionally something is drawing power that’s not of your doing. This is a parasitic draw, and it can cause the same result as leaving the headlights on: a dead battery in the morning.


1.Remove the negative side battery cable from the negative battery terminal.



2. Attach an ammeter(this measures amperage) between the negative cable and the negative battery post. Wait a few seconds to several minutes for the car to go into sleep mode - i.e. when you make the contact with the ammeter, the cars computer systems "wake up". After a bit of time they will go back to "sleep".
Writer:
-I cannot verify if my Gen 2 can wake up or sleep.
-Select Ampere DC on my multimeter. 
-Connect Multimeter RED probe to -ve cable.
-Connect Multimeter BLACK probe to -ve battery terminal. I use my wife clothes peg to secure probe.


If the ammeter is reading over 25-50 milliamps, something is using too much battery power.
Writer:
My Gen 2 is drawing 1.427A. Too high from above info.




3. Go to the fuse panel(s) and remove fuses, one at a time. Pull the main fuses (higher amp ratings)last. Be sure to observe the ammeter after pulling each fuse.

Watch for the ammeter to drop to acceptable drain. The fuse that reduces the drain is the draw. Consult the owners' manual or service manual to find what circuits are on that fuse.

Writer
-There is a fuse puller in the fuse box. I use a long nose plier to pull the fuses. It is easier.
-Found out when I pull out fuse no 24, the current drop from 1.427A to 0.004A.
-Diagram on fuse box cover indicate the fuse is for "Memory"
-Diagram on manual show it for "Radio, Alarm Control Unit, TCU Assy, Ignition key illumination timer, Room lamp,trunk room lamp,door control unit, meter cluster and siren assembly".





4.Check each device (circuit) on that fuse. Stop each lamp, heater, etc. to find the drain.

Repeat steps 1&2 to test your repair. The ammeter will tell you exact numbers.

A parasitic drain is when an electrical device is using battery power when the car is closed, and the ignition key removed. Therefore, when doing this test make sure that the dome light, under hood light, trunk light, etc. are off.

Writer:
-For the time being, i just remove the fuse temporarily.
-Currently my Gen 2 can start and drive normally. All the related component listed sharing fuse 24 are not working. No clock, no alarm, no radio. < --- as long as I can still use the car to go to work, I am fine with it.
-Will check with car electrician to confirm wiring.

8 comments:

  1. Nizam the Knight with a dead horseMay 16, 2011 at 10:49 AM

    Cik Mad,
    Tq for ur articles. It gives me some ideas why my car kept on losing it batt charges these few weeks. This morning a setan maybe comes from my darkthrone CD in the CD player had consumed the batt power and left me to walk 2 miles + to work. A good writing piece which shed some light on my current problem with my gen-2. Some of my friends suggested that the Captor system is the main culprit which runs dry the battery. May be u can verify it coz u have the xprtise. TQ for ur article. Anyhow, is there any suggestion for me to kick start my dead horse without me have to attempt any CPR on it using batt jumpers? TQ.

    ReplyDelete
  2. Nizam, I already removed my CAPTOR due to malfunctioned of the CAPTOR board. You can fit in after market alarm system with no problem.

    Regarding CAPTOR, it is true that it will draw some current from your battery every time. I do not have the exact ampere figure but if you leave the car too long (5-7 days) you need to jump start your car.

    For your dead battery, CPR with jumpers is the safe bet.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Cik Ahmad, did the problem reoccurred after u removed the captor? Do u still using ur gen 2 till now? how about the aircond? Mine is not cold tho i've adjusted the knob to the max...

      Delete
  3. hm...allow me to ask...have you remove the backup battery inside the dashboard and check? eventhough with captor removed, i still believe you have that battery fitted in the car.

    ReplyDelete
  4. The indicators and hazards doesnt work on my proton gen 2 the fuses are fine and the i put a new relay in it still doesnt work. What can be the problem?

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  5. I guess you have the service manual. Can i have a copy
    Will pay accordingly including post
    Tq

    ReplyDelete
  6. Hi. I have proton persona 2011. Fuse start ign course of battery drain. Anybody can help me. Thanks

    ReplyDelete