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How can I find a battery drain??

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Old Nov 3, 2003 | 09:39 AM
  #1  
grafx's Avatar
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From: So. California
Car: 91 Camaro RS
Engine: 305 TBI
Transmission: Pro-Built Automatic/Vigilante 2800
How can I find a battery drain??

Car will start fine for a week or 2 then sometimes my battery will be drained and won't start in the mornings. Battery has been tested and is fine. So I must have a drain somewhere. Whats the best method to use in order to find it??
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Old Nov 3, 2003 | 11:22 AM
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85TransAm406's Avatar
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From: Montgomery, AL
Car: 1985 Trans Am
disconnect the pos. lead on the battery. get a multimeter, set it to amps. put it in line with the + terminal and the battery cable (like an extension) . it will read how many amps the drain is. then start taking out fuses until the meter reads less, that's where your drain is.
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Old Nov 3, 2003 | 02:18 PM
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Jim85IROC's Avatar
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From: Readsboro, VT
Car: 85 IROC-Z / 88 GTA
Engine: 403 LSx (Pending) / 355 Tuned Port
Transmission: T56 Magnum (Pending) / T5
Axle/Gears: 3.42 / ?
Or just remove the fuse and probe the contacts with the ammeter. That'll be a lot easier than pulling a fuse and running around to the front of the car to check the meter at the battery terminals.
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Old Nov 3, 2003 | 02:23 PM
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85TransAm406's Avatar
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From: Montgomery, AL
Car: 1985 Trans Am
that should work too, i just have a meter with 10 ft leads and alligator clips, i hate bending myself up under the dash to probe all the contacts.
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Old Nov 7, 2003 | 03:02 PM
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From: MD
Don't have a multimeter/ammeter? A test light will work, and cheaply too. Disconnect either battery terminal and install the test light in series with the battery terminal. If the bulb lights, you have a draw. Pull fuses until light goes out. That will determine the circuit.
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