Battery Discharge..

[Cobra20646]

Michael,

What Don said is true, but to get a better handle on your problem, you need to measure the current drain.

With Don's test, your opening the circuit and measuring the voltage acrossed the open circuit. If there is absolutely NO current drain, you will measure ZERO volts. But, if there is even the smallest current drain, you will read the full battery voltage. A dead short circuit will measure the same..... so this test leaves something to be desired.

If you have a standard volt-ohm-current meter, open the positive battery lead like Don stated, but connect the meter in line to read current. Start out with the highest range available. After connecting it, reduce the range to read the current draw. A few milliamps is not reason for concern, i.e. the memory in a radio or a clock or ECM if equipped. If you do not have many accessories like you stated, I would expect to see zero current. Then, as Don stated, remove fuses and/or disconnect power leads from the various electrical devices on your car to determine where the excess current drain is coming from.

Let us know what you have found, we're all here to help you solve your problem.

- Jim -