testing for parasitic drain?

[mtm81]

I'm trying for the first time to test using my multimeter for a definite parasitic drain I have on my 02 cab 996.
I'm just trying to find out the correct procedure.

I've done a quick battery test and all is well, and it's a brand new alternator s I know that that is good also.

Obviously I disconnect the negative lead on the battery and put my meter in series on the 20 amp setting. I'm looking for reading of less than 0.05 (5ma) correct?

Also - I know I need to put the key in position 1 in the ignition before disconnecting, however when connecting my meter in series, this then fires up all the dash again etc - do I just leave it on in series until the dash and everything go off - what then about the PSM?

Finally - when I was doing this last night - even with the alarm off - pulling certain fuses still triggered the alarm (radio etc).

cheers for helping a numpty for anyone who replies! :-)

[thegoose]

I would imagine that once you've connected your meter in series you should turn the ignition off and lock the car to see what current is being drawn (perhaps after a 30-90 second wait whilst the car shuts everything down and sets the immobiliser). I guess it would be ideal to have the meter on the windscreen with its leads going under the bonnet edge and allowing it to shut properly on them so you can fully replicate what your car's like when it' "asleep". Make sure the battery/leads can't short against the bonnet when you do it though!

[mtm81]

cheers for the reply.
I find that my car is draining with the alarm on or off (I generally leave it unlocked in my locked garage) so I'll try to test with both it on or off..

[DanoS4]

Might sound like an obvious point but is the courtesy light staying on when you shut the bonnet?

When I had a drain, the switch wasn't shutting the light of properly.

If you haven't done already, why not chuck your phone in the frunk, stick it in video-record and see if that's that issue?


Apologies if you've already thought of this

No other real input, apart from offering "good luck"

Dan

[mtm81]

haha thanks for the good luck!.
yeah already thought of that as the microswitch on my bonnet does look a little "flakey" to me - however a quick shut and record did show it was turning off.

Regardless I've pulled the bulb from this and boot lid light as well just in case..

[davek_964]

I think 5mA is an unrealistic target for a car with alarm etc. I would have expected more like 20-40mA.

[RAWENG]

I have just had a week of monitoring my 997 T battery drain whilst the car is locked/sleep mode. With an AVO meter wired in series with the battery the average current draw is 50mA with pulse up to 88mA every 20 seconds, this i presume is the Tracker. On my car the bonnet light seems to be controlled by the PCM and its operating duration adjustable. I have replaced all the 10w courtesy light bulbs with LED festoon bulbs which use less than 1w, 90p for two off Fleebay.

[mtm81]

so my meter set to a 20amp unfused setting my reading would be 0.05 for 5ma and 0.2 for 20ma right?

[Crusoe]

Have you checked if it has ever had a tracker fitted?

[BertBert]

mtm81 said:

so my meter set to a 20amp unfused setting my reading would be 0.05 for 5ma and 0.2 for 20ma right?

Er nope. 5ma is 5 thousandths. After the decimal point it goes tenths, hundredths, thousandths. So 5ma is 0.005 amps. For your homework, what does 20ma read?
BErt