Introduction
A parasitic battery draw is a current that drains from your car’s battery when the car is turned off. This can cause your battery to die prematurely, leaving you stranded. There are many causes of parasitic battery draw, but the top 5 are:
- Aftermarket accessories. These include things like GPS trackers, dashcams, and remote start systems. These accessories can draw a small amount of current even when they’re turned off, which can add up over time. For example, a GPS tracker that draws 10 milliamperes (mA) of current will drain your battery in about 100 hours if it’s not turned off.
- Ignition switch. The ignition switch in your car can become worn over time, which can cause it to draw a small amount of current even when the car is off. This is because the ignition switch is responsible for turning off the power to your car’s electrical system, and if it’s not working properly, it can leave some of the circuits on even when the car is turned off.
- Headlights. If you leave your headlights on, even for a short period of time, they can drain your battery. A pair of headlights that draw 5 amps of current will drain your battery in about 2 hours if they’re left on.
- Doors and boot. If your doors or trunk are not fully closed, they can allow a small amount of current to leak out, which can drain your battery over time. This is because the doors and trunk are connected to the car’s electrical system, and if they’re not closed properly, they can leave some of the circuits on even when the car is off.
- Wiring problems. A loose or corroded wire can cause a parasitic battery draw. This is because the wire can allow current to leak out, even when the circuit it’s connected to is turned off.
Remedy
There are a few things you can do to fix a parasitic battery draw:
- Disconnect all aftermarket accessories. This will help you to identify which accessory is causing the draw. You can do this by disconnecting each accessory one at a time and then checking your battery to see if the draw stops.
- Inspect the ignition switch. If the ignition switch is worn, it will need to be replaced. A mechanic can do this for you.
- Check the headlights. Make sure that they are turned off when you are not using them. You can also install a switch that allows you to turn off the headlights from inside the car.
- Make sure that your doors and boot are fully closed. You can do this by checking the door and trunk latches to make sure that they are secure.
- Have Michanic check your wiring. A loose or corroded wire can be repaired or replaced by a mechanic.
Conclusion:
A parasitic battery draw can be a frustrating problem, but it is usually easy to fix. By following the tips in this blog post, you can identify and fix the cause of your parasitic battery draw and keep your car’s battery running strong. We have the best auto electricians that are able to identify the cause and resolve the issue. Our auto electricians come to you to resolve the issue.
