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-   -   Battery Discharge (https://www.askmehelpdesk.com/showthread.php?t=50525)

  • Dec 26, 2006, 07:09 PM
    waynesworld
    Battery Discharge
    Hi, I have a '99 Dodge Dakota and have a electrical problem I can't figure out.
    If I don't drive the truck for 2 days, it drains the battery.
    I have checked everything I can possibly think that would normally cause this.
    I did have a friend plug a hand-held diagnostic into the port below the steering wheel, with no results(codes, that is).
    There is a short, or ground somewhere, because I can disconnect the positive cable, and, with a test light, it will come on (radio/clock fuse removed).
    I have noticed a "clicking" behind the glove-box when the battery is low...
    Any ideas?
    Thanks
    Wayne
  • Dec 26, 2006, 07:26 PM
    TxGreaseMonkey
    Parasitic drain from antitheft, stereo system, and clock . It could also be a short circuit, causing a continuous drain on the battery, or an internally defective battery.
  • Dec 28, 2006, 06:28 PM
    kitch428
    This is a common trick for a DIY'er. Disconnect the battery negative termanal and put a test light between the negative post and the termanal. It will glow bright with a high amp draw. Now, make sure all doors are shut and key removed. It should dim a bit. Now start pulling fuses one by one until the circuit is found, or test light almost goes out. That will be where the problem area lies. There are a lot of capacitors that hold current even ater the battery is disconnected for several min, so keep that in mind.
    BTW, leave the positive term alone.
  • Dec 28, 2006, 06:39 PM
    TxGreaseMonkey
    kitch428, great idea!

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