Testing For Parasitic Draw

TESTING FOR PARASITIC DRAW 

Courtesy of CHRYSLER GROUP, LLC

Turn the ignition off.

1. Disconnect the Negative battery cable (ground).
2. Using a multimeter, set the multimeter leads up to properly measure Amperage.
3. Connect the ground lead that is plugged into the COM port of the multimeter to the Negative battery post/terminal.
4. Connect the other lead of the multimeter that is plugged into the Amp port of the multimeter to the Negative battery cable.
   CAUTION:

   Do not crank the engine or turn on any accessories that may draw more than 10 Amps. You may open the protective fuse in the multimeter.

5. While monitoring the amperage reading on the multimeter, begin to remove fuses (one at a time) from each fuse location on the vehicle and see if the amperage drops.
   NOTE:

   • Only remove one fuse at a time until the cause of the current draw is determined.
   • Many vehicles have multiple fuse locations on the vehicle.
6. If the amperage does not drop, install the fuse you just removed and remove the next fuse.

   Does the amperage drop to between 0.02 to 0.04 of an Amp when removing any fuses?

   Yes 

   • Use the appropriate SYSTEM WIRING DIAGRAM as a guide to help indicate what components or modules are powered by the fuse.
   • At this point you can install the fuse and begin disconnecting the components powered by the fuse.
     • When the amperage drops after disconnecting a component this will indicate which component is at fault.
     • It is important to know how long some modules are designed to remain awake.
     • You don't want to replace a component that is operating normally.

   No 

   • The condition that originally caused the draw may not be present at this time.
   • Look for any chafed, pierced, pinched, or partially broken wires.
   • Look for broken, bent, pushed out or corroded ground terminals.
   • Perform any Technical Service Bulletins (TSBs) that may apply.