Need some help with an electrical issue

3

3rdgenfan

New member
Hey guys. I need some help to identify and help troubleshoot an issue I am having. The issue has been ongoing for about a year now. I just got back from overseas so now I can work on it.

I replaced the starter before I left to go overseas. What happens is when you leave the vehicle sit for a day or two. You go back outside to start it and its dead. My dad says sometimes not even 24hours it will be completely dead.I replaced the battery terminals thinking it was a loose connection and same thing.

My dad took the vehicle to autzone and had the electrical system checked. They told him it was a bad battery. Battery replaced. Same issue. Three batteries later I know its not the battery.

Is it possible the starter solenoid is bad and drawing power? I ask cause it is the last thing I have replaced before the issue occurred. If anyone knows the best place to start. I have a multimeter so, If you know some voltage test or something let me know. Any info would be helpful to the problem addressed. Thanks.
 
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3rdgenfan said:
Hey guys. I need some help to identify and help troubleshoot an issue I am having. The issue has been ongoing for about a year now. I just got back from overseas so now I can work on it.

I replaced the starter before I left to go overseas. What happens is when you leave the vehicle sit for a day or two. You go back outside to start it and its dead. My dad says sometimes not even 24hours it will be completely dead.I replaced the battery terminals thinking it was a loose connection and same thing.

My dad took the vehicle to autzone and had the electrical system checked. They told him it was a bad battery. Battery replaced. Same issue. Three batteries later I know its not the battery.

Is it possible the starter solenoid is bad and drawing power? I ask cause it is the last thing I have replaced before the issue occurred. If anyone knows the best place to start. I have a multimeter so, If you know some voltage test or something let me know. Any info would be helpful to the problem addressed. Thanks.
Click to expand...

First let me tell you I NEVER trust autozone, but that's just me. Secondly assuming the battery is good, you need to see if you have an unusual amount of draw. If your multimeter supports amperage, disconnect the negative battery terminal and touch on lead to the post, and one lead to the terminal and this will tell you the amperage draw. It should be around 300milliamps if it's normal. If it's much higher, we can start to isolate it.

:pop2:
 
IBallEngineer said:
First let me tell you I NEVER trust autozone, but that's just me. Secondly assuming the battery is good, you need to see if you have an unusual amount of draw. If your multimeter supports amperage, disconnect the negative battery terminal and touch on lead to the post, and one lead to the terminal and this will tell you the amperage draw. It should be around 300milliamps if it's normal. If it's much higher, we can start to isolate it.

:pop2:
Click to expand...

I have to get a new multimeter when I go buy a new one I will let you know what it says.
 
3rdgenfan said:
I have to get a new multimeter when I go buy a new one I will let you know what it says.
Click to expand...

When you're looking for meters make sure you get one that will measure at least 10Amps DC. Most of them will, but I've seen some of the compact meters that will only measure that much current with a separate probe.
 
IBallEngineer said:
First let me tell you I NEVER trust autozone, but that's just me. Secondly assuming the battery is good, you need to see if you have an unusual amount of draw. If your multimeter supports amperage, disconnect the negative battery terminal and touch on lead to the post, and one lead to the terminal and this will tell you the amperage draw. It should be around 300milliamps if it's normal. If it's much higher, we can start to isolate it.

:pop2:
Click to expand...

Picked up a multimeter.
 
IBallEngineer said:
OK good, now set it to the AMPS mode, and connect one lead to the Battery terminal(with it disconnected), and the other lead to the Battery post. Tell us what the reading is, or post a picture.
Click to expand...

I think I did this right. Here is the picture. Correct me if I am wrong.
 
Is that with the ignition off or on? If you're getting that reading with the ignition off and no interior lights on, you have a parasitic draw somewhere.

You shouldn't have anywhere close to a full amp when everything is off. The first thing I would do is start pulling individual fuses, and see which one drops the current reading.
 
jeremyc74 said:
Is that with the ignition off or on? If you're getting that reading with the ignition off and no interior lights on, you have a parasitic draw somewhere.

You shouldn't have anywhere close to a full amp when everything is off. The first thing I would do is start pulling individual fuses, and see which one drops the current reading.
Click to expand...

Yes that is with the power off.
 
jeremyc74 said:
I'd start pulling fuses then.
Click to expand...

I figured out why it was so high. When i was doing it earlier the door was open. it did drop but I am still getting about 0.13 MA. I pulled the MPX-B fuse. BAM. Problem fixed.

I tried to do some research online. It turns out that it deals with the power windows and door locks. Anything else I can try or anyone know what else i can do?
 
3rdgenfan said:
I figured out why it was so high. When i was doing it earlier the door was open. it did drop but I am still getting about 0.13 MA. I pulled the MPX-B fuse. BAM. Problem fixed.

I tried to do some research online. It turns out that it deals with the power windows and door locks. Anything else I can try or anyone know what else i can do?
Click to expand...

.13 is not bad, anything under .3 should be fine. The MPX fuse is for the Body ECU, and could have been a problem, but not at that level. Your problem is elsewhere!

:eyebrows:
 
Since you've got the new multi-meter now, why not check and see if the alternator is truly doing it's job? Trusting AutoZone is one thing, verifying for yourself is another. If the alternator isn't keeping the battery up to charge it may drain just enough on a drive to not be able to restart after sitting for a bit.
 
OkiSurf1996 said:
Since you've got the new multi-meter now, why not check and see if the alternator is truly doing it's job? Trusting AutoZone is one thing, verifying for yourself is another. If the alternator isn't keeping the battery up to charge it may drain just enough on a drive to not be able to restart after sitting for a bit.
Click to expand...

Could you please explain how to do this check.
 
Don't forget to move the (+) lead back to the Voltage plug before you start checking voltage!!!

If you don't then best case you'll blow the fuse in the meter and worst case you'll destroy the capability to read amperage.
 
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