Performing a parasitic draw test correctly (?)

[mattb10]

Hello Gents,

Now it's Spring it's time to wake up the Zed for the new Year. Sadly the winter months killed my battery permanently so I have a new one on order. I have seemingly been plagued by a parasitic draw over the last few months. I did try testing it last year but was ultimately defeated and so its time to try again - but properly.

I wanted to ask what the correct way is to set up the car for the parasitic draw test.

I need to completely shut down the car, right? So this means turning the engine off and waiting 15-20 minutes (?) This will give me the rate of discharge when shut down.

BUT, presumably I have to close the doors / boot and lock the car...? (does it have to be locked?)

So two questions straight away...

1) How do you attach the multimeter to the battery with the boot closed and still keep the multimeter display in view? Can I tape the ends of the multimeter to the battery terminals somehow?

2) If the cars completely shut down, locked and doors closed, how can I access the fuses without waking the car up again. I assume I can't open a door during this process but can I keep the window open at least? Also, again keeping the multimeter in view.

Does anyone have any tips?

Thank you for reading

 

[Stuartt]

If you take a standard Philips screwdriver you can latch over the door / boot catches with it so the car thinks they are shut and therefore it will lock and the interior lights will go out giving you full access to the battery and fuse box. Remember to lock twice to turn off the interior sensor so you don't trigger the alarm while moving about inside.


Stuart