{"id":99870,"date":"2024-01-12T23:32:33","date_gmt":"2024-01-13T07:32:33","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/blogv2prod.wpenginepowered.com\/blog\/?p=99870"},"modified":"2025-05-12T16:35:05","modified_gmt":"2025-05-12T23:35:05","slug":"how-to-conduct-a-parasitic-draw-test-plus-causes-and-prevention-tips","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.carparts.com\/blog\/how-to-conduct-a-parasitic-draw-test-plus-causes-and-prevention-tips\/","title":{"rendered":"How to Conduct a Parasitic Draw Test Plus Causes and Prevention Tips"},"content":{"rendered":"<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC \"-\/\/W3C\/\/DTD HTML 4.0 Transitional\/\/EN\" \"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/TR\/REC-html40\/loose.dtd\">\n<html><body><span class=\"span-reading-time rt-reading-time\" style=\"display: block;\"><span class=\"rt-label rt-prefix\">Reading Time: <\/span> <span class=\"rt-time\"> 6<\/span> <span class=\"rt-label rt-postfix\">minutes<\/span><\/span><style>.kadence-column99870_3b7657-38 > .kt-inside-inner-col,.kadence-column99870_3b7657-38 > .kt-inside-inner-col:before{border-top-left-radius:0px;border-top-right-radius:0px;border-bottom-right-radius:0px;border-bottom-left-radius:0px;}.kadence-column99870_3b7657-38 > .kt-inside-inner-col{column-gap:var(--global-kb-gap-sm, 1rem);}.kadence-column99870_3b7657-38 > .kt-inside-inner-col{flex-direction:column;}.kadence-column99870_3b7657-38 > .kt-inside-inner-col > .aligncenter{width:100%;}.kadence-column99870_3b7657-38 > .kt-inside-inner-col:before{opacity:0.3;}.kadence-column99870_3b7657-38{position:relative;}@media all and (max-width: 1024px){.kadence-column99870_3b7657-38 > .kt-inside-inner-col{flex-direction:column;justify-content:center;}}@media all and (max-width: 767px){.kadence-column99870_3b7657-38 > .kt-inside-inner-col{flex-direction:column;justify-content:center;}}<\/style>\n<div class=\"wp-block-kadence-column kadence-column99870_3b7657-38 inner-column-1 qk-look-widget\"><div class=\"kt-inside-inner-col\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-ultimate-post-row ultp-block-17ca4d  qk-main-wrap\"><div class=\"ultp-row-wrapper\"><div class=\"ultp-row-content\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-ultimate-post-column ultp-block-889a20\"><div class=\"ultp-column-wrapper\"><style>.wp-block-kadence-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading99870_be9067-35, .wp-block-kadence-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading99870_be9067-35[data-kb-block=\"kb-adv-heading99870_be9067-35\"]{text-align:center;font-size:20px;font-style:normal;}.wp-block-kadence-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading99870_be9067-35 mark.kt-highlight, .wp-block-kadence-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading99870_be9067-35[data-kb-block=\"kb-adv-heading99870_be9067-35\"] mark.kt-highlight{font-family:Inter;font-weight:500;font-style:normal;color:#f76a0c;-webkit-box-decoration-break:clone;box-decoration-break:clone;padding-top:0px;padding-right:0px;padding-bottom:0px;padding-left:0px;}.wp-block-kadence-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading99870_be9067-35 img.kb-inline-image, .wp-block-kadence-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading99870_be9067-35[data-kb-block=\"kb-adv-heading99870_be9067-35\"] img.kb-inline-image{width:150px;vertical-align:baseline;}<\/style>\n<div class=\"kt-adv-heading99870_be9067-35 summary-title wp-block-kadence-advancedheading\" data-kb-block=\"kb-adv-heading99870_be9067-35\"><span>Summary<\/span><\/div>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>A parasitic draw test involves disabling all electrical components, charging the car battery, setting up the multimeter, and isolating the source of the current draw.<\/strong><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Some signs that can be linked to a parasitic draw include malfunctioning electronic devices, lighting or audio systems staying on when the ignition is off, and electronics failing to enter sleep mode by default.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Improperly installed aftermarket accessories, short circuits, stuck relays, and wiring issues are some common causes of parasitic draw.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Regular maintenance, using a trickle charger, and driving your vehicle regularly will help minimize your vehicle&rsquo;s risk of developing a parasitic draw.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div><\/div>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n\n\n<p>It&rsquo;s frustrating when your car battery fails out of nowhere, especially when it worked just fine yesterday. If you don&rsquo;t spot any issues that could have caused it, there might be something in your car that&rsquo;s wasting electricity when you&rsquo;re not driving.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Here are some of the signs that point to a car battery that suffers from a parasitic draw:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Some electronic devices in the vehicle don&rsquo;t function properly.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Lights, the radio, and other devices don&rsquo;t switch off even when the ignition is off.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Electronic devices don&rsquo;t enter sleep mode or disable themselves by default.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>Testing for a parasitic draw is the best way to determine whether something is siphoning power from your battery.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">How to Test for a Parasitic Draw<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>To test your vehicle for a parasitic draw, you&rsquo;ll need the following tools:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.carparts.com\/multimeter\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" aria-label=\"Multimeter\">Multimeter<\/a> (inductive or standard DVOM)<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Zip-ties<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Fuse puller<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.carparts.com\/wrench\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" aria-label=\"Wrench\">Wrench<\/a> appropriate for your vehicle for <a href=\"https:\/\/www.carparts.com\/blog\/how-to-tell-positive-and-negative-terminals-on-a-car-battery\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" aria-label=\"battery terminal\">battery terminal<\/a> removal<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Infrared camera if available<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>Once you have everything, follow these steps to determine whether a parasitic draw is affecting your vehicle.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Disable All Electrical Components and Turn off the Ignition<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>The first step is to ensure nothing is drawing power from the battery. Unplug or deactivate your vehicle&rsquo;s electrical components. Turn off the radio, air conditioning system, heater, audio system, and other parts that get power from the car battery.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>You must also park your vehicle, switch off the engine, and disable the ignition. Make sure all the doors are closed properly to disable the lights that turn on when they&rsquo;re open.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-data443-irp-shortcode irp-shortcode\"><div style=\"clear:both; margin-top:0em; margin-bottom:1em;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.carparts.com\/blog\/how-to-recharge-a-car-battery\/\" target=\"_self\" rel=\"dofollow\" class=\"u6ecdd7b891a6a44dd4335a8bc327ee8b\"><style> .u6ecdd7b891a6a44dd4335a8bc327ee8b { padding:0px; margin: 0; padding-top:1em!important; padding-bottom:1em!important; width:100%; display: block; font-weight:bold; background-color:#eaeaea; border:0!important; border-left:4px solid #34495E!important; text-decoration:none; } .u6ecdd7b891a6a44dd4335a8bc327ee8b:active, .u6ecdd7b891a6a44dd4335a8bc327ee8b:hover { opacity: 1; transition: opacity 250ms; webkit-transition: opacity 250ms; text-decoration:none; } .u6ecdd7b891a6a44dd4335a8bc327ee8b { transition: background-color 250ms; webkit-transition: background-color 250ms; opacity: 1; transition: opacity 250ms; webkit-transition: opacity 250ms; } .u6ecdd7b891a6a44dd4335a8bc327ee8b .ctaText { font-weight:bold; color:#464646; text-decoration:none; font-size: 16px; } .u6ecdd7b891a6a44dd4335a8bc327ee8b .postTitle { color:#000000; text-decoration: underline!important; font-size: 16px; } .u6ecdd7b891a6a44dd4335a8bc327ee8b:hover .postTitle { text-decoration: underline!important; } <\/style><div style=\"padding-left:1em; padding-right:1em;\"><span class=\"ctaText\">See also<\/span>&nbsp; <span class=\"postTitle\">How to Recharge a Car Battery?<\/span><\/div><\/a><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Charge the Car Battery<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>When testing for a parasitic draw, the battery must be full to get reliable and consistent results. After all, batteries low on charge won&rsquo;t give accurate results, while a <a href=\"https:\/\/www.carparts.com\/blog\/how-to-recharge-a-car-battery\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" aria-label=\"full battery\">full battery<\/a> guarantees that you&rsquo;ll get readings based on your vehicle at peak performance. Disconnect one battery cable when charging and leave it disconnected for the remainder of the test if you&rsquo;re using a multimeter.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Set up the Multimeter<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full is-resized\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"988\" height=\"624\" src=\"https:\/\/www.carparts.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/01\/illustration-showing-how-to-set-up-a-multimeter-for-a-parasitic-draw-test.jpg\" alt=\"illustration showing how to set up a multimeter for a parasitic draw test\" class=\"wp-image-100458\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.carparts.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/01\/illustration-showing-how-to-set-up-a-multimeter-for-a-parasitic-draw-test.jpg 988w, https:\/\/www.carparts.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/01\/illustration-showing-how-to-set-up-a-multimeter-for-a-parasitic-draw-test-300x189.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.carparts.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/01\/illustration-showing-how-to-set-up-a-multimeter-for-a-parasitic-draw-test-768x485.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.carparts.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/01\/illustration-showing-how-to-set-up-a-multimeter-for-a-parasitic-draw-test-150x95.jpg 150w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 988px) 100vw, 988px\"><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Illustration showing how to set up a multimeter for a parasitic draw test | Image Source: Richard McCuistian<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>Once the battery is fully charged, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.carparts.com\/blog\/how-to-test-a-car-battery-with-a-multimeter\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" aria-label=\"set up the multimeter\">set up the multimeter<\/a> by attaching it to the battery and the cable you removed as shown in the illustration, which shows the test being done on the positive side of the battery. This test can be done on either side of the battery (use clamps or zip ties of your choice to make the connections stay in place during testing), but connect the black DVOM terminal to the negative battery post if you&rsquo;re doing it this way on the negative side of the battery.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Because parts of many electrical modules on vehicles must be &ldquo;charged up,&rdquo; you may see more current draw initially than you will if you let the car sit with the meter connected for a full hour, which gives the modules time to charge up and &ldquo;sleep.&rdquo; After an hour, you&rsquo;ll be able to see if you have more than 0.050 amps (50 milliamps). More than that and the battery will be dead within 2 days on most vehicles.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<blockquote class=\"wp-block-quote is-layout-flow wp-block-quote-is-layout-flow\">\n<p>Because parts of many electrical modules on vehicles must be &ldquo;charged up,&rdquo; you may see more current draw initially than you will if you let the car sit with the meter connected for a full hour, which gives the modules time to charge up and &ldquo;sleep.&rdquo;<\/p>\n<cite><em>&ndash;&nbsp;<\/em><a href=\"https:\/\/www.carparts.com\/blog\/author\/richardmccuistian\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" aria-label=\"Richard McCuistian, ASE Certified Master Automobile Technician\">Richard McCuistian, ASE Certified Master Automobile Technician<\/a><\/cite><\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Find the Source<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Open your <a href=\"https:\/\/www.carparts.com\/blog\/where-is-the-fuse-box-located\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" aria-label=\"fuse box\">fuse box<\/a>, then, one by one, pull the fuses connected to the circuit and check the reading on the multimeter. Better yet, have an assistant watch it while you remove the fuses one at a time, first from the junction box under the hood and then from the other fuse panels in the vehicle.<\/p>\n\n\n<style>.kadence-column99870_0e24d3-34 > .kt-inside-inner-col,.kadence-column99870_0e24d3-34 > .kt-inside-inner-col:before{border-top-left-radius:0px;border-top-right-radius:0px;border-bottom-right-radius:0px;border-bottom-left-radius:0px;}.kadence-column99870_0e24d3-34 > .kt-inside-inner-col{column-gap:var(--global-kb-gap-sm, 1rem);}.kadence-column99870_0e24d3-34 > .kt-inside-inner-col{flex-direction:column;}.kadence-column99870_0e24d3-34 > .kt-inside-inner-col > .aligncenter{width:100%;}.kadence-column99870_0e24d3-34 > .kt-inside-inner-col:before{opacity:0.3;}.kadence-column99870_0e24d3-34{position:relative;}@media all and (max-width: 1024px){.kadence-column99870_0e24d3-34 > .kt-inside-inner-col{flex-direction:column;justify-content:center;}}@media all and (max-width: 767px){.kadence-column99870_0e24d3-34 > .kt-inside-inner-col{flex-direction:column;justify-content:center;}}<\/style>\n<div class=\"wp-block-kadence-column kadence-column99870_0e24d3-34 kb-section-dir-vertical kb-section-sm-dir-vertical inner-column-1 pro-tip-widget\"><div class=\"kt-inside-inner-col\"><style>.kb-row-layout-id99870_2c2078-0c > .kt-row-column-wrap{align-content:start;}:where(.kb-row-layout-id99870_2c2078-0c > .kt-row-column-wrap) > .wp-block-kadence-column{justify-content:start;}.kb-row-layout-id99870_2c2078-0c > .kt-row-column-wrap{column-gap:var(--global-kb-gap-none, 0rem );row-gap:var(--global-kb-gap-md, 2rem);padding-top:20px;padding-right:32px;padding-bottom:20px;padding-left:16px;grid-template-columns:minmax(0, calc(10% - ((var(--global-kb-gap-none, 0rem ) * 1 )\/2)))minmax(0, calc(90% - ((var(--global-kb-gap-none, 0rem ) * 1 )\/2)));}.kb-row-layout-id99870_2c2078-0c > .kt-row-layout-overlay{opacity:0.00;}.kb-row-layout-id99870_2c2078-0c .kt-row-layout-bottom-sep{height:100px;}.kb-row-layout-id99870_2c2078-0c .kt-row-layout-bottom-sep svg{width:100%;}.kb-row-layout-id99870_2c2078-0c .kt-row-layout-bottom-sep svg{fill:#ffffff!important;}.kb-row-layout-id99870_2c2078-0c .kt-row-layout-top-sep{height:100px;}.kb-row-layout-id99870_2c2078-0c .kt-row-layout-top-sep svg{width:100%;}.kb-row-layout-id99870_2c2078-0c .kt-row-layout-top-sep svg{fill:#ffffff!important;}@media all and (max-width: 1024px){.kb-row-layout-id99870_2c2078-0c > .kt-row-column-wrap{grid-template-columns:minmax(0, 1fr) minmax(0, 2fr);}}@media all and (max-width: 1024px){.kb-row-layout-id99870_2c2078-0c .kt-row-layout-bottom-sep{height:px;}}@media all and (max-width: 1024px){.kb-row-layout-id99870_2c2078-0c .kt-row-layout-bottom-sep svg{width:%;}}@media all and (max-width: 767px){.kb-row-layout-id99870_2c2078-0c > .kt-row-column-wrap{padding-top:28px;padding-right:16px;padding-bottom:25px;padding-left:16px;grid-template-columns:minmax(0, 1fr) minmax(0, 2fr);}.kb-row-layout-id99870_2c2078-0c .kt-row-layout-bottom-sep{height:px;}.kb-row-layout-id99870_2c2078-0c .kt-row-layout-bottom-sep svg{width:%;}}<\/style><div class=\"kb-row-layout-wrap kb-row-layout-id99870_2c2078-0c alignnone pro-tip-wrap wp-block-kadence-rowlayout\"><div class=\"kt-row-column-wrap kt-has-2-columns kt-row-layout-right-golden kt-tab-layout-right-golden kt-mobile-layout-right-golden kt-row-valign-top\">\n<style>.kadence-column99870_0ac027-60 > .kt-inside-inner-col{display:flex;}.kadence-column99870_0ac027-60 > .kt-inside-inner-col{min-height:45px;}.kadence-column99870_0ac027-60 > .kt-inside-inner-col,.kadence-column99870_0ac027-60 > .kt-inside-inner-col:before{border-top-left-radius:0px;border-top-right-radius:0px;border-bottom-right-radius:0px;border-bottom-left-radius:0px;}.kadence-column99870_0ac027-60 > .kt-inside-inner-col{row-gap:0px;column-gap:0px;}.kadence-column99870_0ac027-60 > .kt-inside-inner-col{flex-direction:row;flex-wrap:wrap;align-items:center;}.kadence-column99870_0ac027-60 > .kt-inside-inner-col > *, .kadence-column99870_0ac027-60 > .kt-inside-inner-col > figure.wp-block-image, .kadence-column99870_0ac027-60 > .kt-inside-inner-col > figure.wp-block-kadence-image{margin-top:0px;margin-bottom:0px;}.kadence-column99870_0ac027-60 > .kt-inside-inner-col > .kb-image-is-ratio-size{flex-grow:1;}.kadence-column99870_0ac027-60 > .kt-inside-inner-col:before{opacity:0.3;}.kadence-column99870_0ac027-60{position:relative;}@media all and (max-width: 1024px){.kadence-column99870_0ac027-60 > .kt-inside-inner-col{flex-direction:row;flex-wrap:wrap;align-items:center;}}@media all and (min-width: 768px) and (max-width: 1024px){.kadence-column99870_0ac027-60 > .kt-inside-inner-col > *, .kadence-column99870_0ac027-60 > .kt-inside-inner-col > figure.wp-block-image, .kadence-column99870_0ac027-60 > .kt-inside-inner-col > figure.wp-block-kadence-image{margin-top:0px;margin-bottom:0px;}.kadence-column99870_0ac027-60 > .kt-inside-inner-col > .kb-image-is-ratio-size{flex-grow:1;}}@media all and (max-width: 767px){.kadence-column99870_0ac027-60 > .kt-inside-inner-col{flex-direction:row;flex-wrap:wrap;justify-content:flex-start;}.kadence-column99870_0ac027-60 > .kt-inside-inner-col > *, .kadence-column99870_0ac027-60 > .kt-inside-inner-col > figure.wp-block-image, .kadence-column99870_0ac027-60 > .kt-inside-inner-col > figure.wp-block-kadence-image{margin-top:0px;margin-bottom:0px;}.kadence-column99870_0ac027-60 > .kt-inside-inner-col > .kb-image-is-ratio-size{flex-grow:1;}}<\/style>\n<div class=\"wp-block-kadence-column kadence-column99870_0ac027-60 kb-section-dir-horizontal kb-section-md-dir-horizontal inner-column-1 pro-tip-item1\"><div class=\"kt-inside-inner-col\"><style>.kb-image99870_a61c90-60.kb-image-is-ratio-size, .kb-image99870_a61c90-60 .kb-image-is-ratio-size{max-width:45px;width:100%;}.wp-block-kadence-column > .kt-inside-inner-col > .kb-image99870_a61c90-60.kb-image-is-ratio-size, .wp-block-kadence-column > .kt-inside-inner-col > .kb-image99870_a61c90-60 .kb-image-is-ratio-size{align-self:unset;}.kb-image99870_a61c90-60 figure{max-width:45px;}.kb-image99870_a61c90-60 .image-is-svg, .kb-image99870_a61c90-60 .image-is-svg img{width:100%;}.kb-image99870_a61c90-60 .kb-image-has-overlay:after{opacity:0.3;}<\/style>\n<div class=\"wp-block-kadence-image kb-image99870_a61c90-60\"><figure class=\"aligncenter size-large\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/cld.partsimg.com\/image\/upload\/f_auto,dpr_auto,q_auto,c_pad\/carparts\/blog\/widgets\/protip\/services-icon\" alt=\"\" class=\"kb-img\"><\/figure><\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n<style>.kadence-column99870_6a0c11-d3 > .kt-inside-inner-col,.kadence-column99870_6a0c11-d3 > .kt-inside-inner-col:before{border-top-left-radius:0px;border-top-right-radius:0px;border-bottom-right-radius:0px;border-bottom-left-radius:0px;}.kadence-column99870_6a0c11-d3 > .kt-inside-inner-col{column-gap:var(--global-kb-gap-sm, 1rem);}.kadence-column99870_6a0c11-d3 > .kt-inside-inner-col{flex-direction:column;}.kadence-column99870_6a0c11-d3 > .kt-inside-inner-col > .aligncenter{width:100%;}.kadence-column99870_6a0c11-d3 > .kt-inside-inner-col:before{opacity:0.3;}.kadence-column99870_6a0c11-d3{position:relative;}@media all and (max-width: 1024px){.kadence-column99870_6a0c11-d3 > .kt-inside-inner-col{flex-direction:column;justify-content:center;}}@media all and (max-width: 767px){.kadence-column99870_6a0c11-d3 > .kt-inside-inner-col{flex-direction:column;justify-content:center;}}<\/style>\n<div class=\"wp-block-kadence-column kadence-column99870_6a0c11-d3 inner-column-2 pro-tip-item2\"><div class=\"kt-inside-inner-col\">\n<div class=\"protip-desc\">\n\t<div class=\"help-tip\">\n\t\t<p><strong>Pro Tips<\/strong> are nuggets of information direct from ASE-certified automobile technicians working with CarParts.com, which may include unique, personal insights based on their years of experience working in the automotive industry. These can help you make more informed decisions about your car.<\/p>\n\t<\/div>\n    <div class=\"help-caption\">\n        <p>\n            <strong>Pro Tip:<\/strong>\nYou&rsquo;ll need to know where all the panels are before starting this project. Some vehicles have fuse panels under the rear seat cushion or in the trunk, so be aware of where yours are.\n        <\/p>\n    <\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-data443-irp-shortcode irp-shortcode\"><div style=\"clear:both; margin-top:0em; margin-bottom:1em;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.carparts.com\/blog\/underhood-checks\/\" target=\"_self\" rel=\"dofollow\" class=\"u48efd24fbe2c48b2c1103c26973e8038\"><style> .u48efd24fbe2c48b2c1103c26973e8038 { padding:0px; margin: 0; padding-top:1em!important; padding-bottom:1em!important; width:100%; display: block; font-weight:bold; background-color:#eaeaea; border:0!important; border-left:4px solid #34495E!important; text-decoration:none; } .u48efd24fbe2c48b2c1103c26973e8038:active, .u48efd24fbe2c48b2c1103c26973e8038:hover { opacity: 1; transition: opacity 250ms; webkit-transition: opacity 250ms; text-decoration:none; } .u48efd24fbe2c48b2c1103c26973e8038 { transition: background-color 250ms; webkit-transition: background-color 250ms; opacity: 1; transition: opacity 250ms; webkit-transition: opacity 250ms; } .u48efd24fbe2c48b2c1103c26973e8038 .ctaText { font-weight:bold; color:#464646; text-decoration:none; font-size: 16px; } .u48efd24fbe2c48b2c1103c26973e8038 .postTitle { color:#000000; text-decoration: underline!important; font-size: 16px; } .u48efd24fbe2c48b2c1103c26973e8038:hover .postTitle { text-decoration: underline!important; } <\/style><div style=\"padding-left:1em; padding-right:1em;\"><span class=\"ctaText\">See also<\/span>&nbsp; <span class=\"postTitle\">Underhood Checks<\/span><\/div><\/a><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p>If the current draw decreases exponentially after pulling a fuse, take note of which circuit the fuse was connected to and disconnect any components fed by that fuse to further isolate the source of the current draw. After this, reconnect the fuse and check the circuit. Be sure to take note of the different switches and devices that correspond to the circuit.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large is-resized\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"513\" src=\"https:\/\/www.carparts.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/01\/illustration-showing-inductive-amp-meter-for-parasitic-draw-test-1024x513.jpg\" alt=\"illustration showing inductive amp meter for parasitic draw test\" class=\"wp-image-100459\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.carparts.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/01\/illustration-showing-inductive-amp-meter-for-parasitic-draw-test-1024x513.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.carparts.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/01\/illustration-showing-inductive-amp-meter-for-parasitic-draw-test-300x150.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.carparts.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/01\/illustration-showing-inductive-amp-meter-for-parasitic-draw-test-768x385.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.carparts.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/01\/illustration-showing-inductive-amp-meter-for-parasitic-draw-test-150x75.jpg 150w, https:\/\/www.carparts.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/01\/illustration-showing-inductive-amp-meter-for-parasitic-draw-test.jpg 1102w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\"><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Another way to do a parasitic draw test is by using an inductive amp meter. See illustration. | Image Source: Richard McCuistian<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">What Causes Parasitic Draw?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Parasitic draws are as inconvenient as they are frustrating, so it pays to know what causes them. It&rsquo;ll help you pinpoint potential sources of parasitic draws and take action appropriately.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Aftermarket Accessories<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Aftermarket accessories are notorious for causing parasitic draws. While they work just fine, there&rsquo;s a chance they weren&rsquo;t designed to work well with your electrical system specifically. They might continue drawing power from the battery even when not in use.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Short Circuits<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Another potential cause for parasitic draws is short circuits.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Short-circuiting is when electrical currents don&rsquo;t follow their set paths, taking unintended shortcuts. This can lead to circuits blowing because too much electricity runs through one route instead of being evenly distributed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Short circuits are often caused by electrical overloads, damaged wiring, wires that haven&rsquo;t been connected properly, and defects during manufacturing. It&rsquo;s difficult to avoid short circuits, but proper maintenance and knowing when to replace old or damaged parts minimizes the risk tremendously.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div id=\"article-search-widget\">\n<div class=\"cp-search\">\n<div align=\"center\">\n<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/cld.partsimg.com\/image\/upload\/w_auto,dpr_auto\/carparts\/logos\/badge_wordmark\/full_color\/CP_LOGO_COLOUR_RGB\" alt=\"CarParts.com\" width=\"300\" height=\"56\">\n<\/div>\n<form id=\"cpsearchform\" name=\"cpsearchform\" action=\"https:\/\/www.carparts.com\/search\" method=\"get\" target=\"_blank\" accept-charset=\"character_set\" aria-label=\"search CarParts.com\">\n    <input type=\"text\" class=\"keyword\" name=\"q\" placeholder=\"Search for parts on CarParts.com\" value=\"\" aria-label=\"Search CarParts.com\"><input type=\"submit\" class=\"btn-search\" value=\"Search\" aria-label=\"Search\">\n<\/form>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Stuck Relays<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Stuck relays can cause parasitic draw by drawing power from the car battery even when the engine has been switched off. Relays typically get stuck when dust or debris gets into them or when they get damaged.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Wiring Issues<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Last but not least, one of the most prominent causes of parasitic draw is <a href=\"https:\/\/www.carparts.com\/blog\/car-wiring\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" aria-label=\"wiring issues\">wiring issues<\/a>. As mentioned previously, wires that haven&rsquo;t been connected properly can cause short circuits, which leads to parasitic draws.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-data443-irp-shortcode irp-shortcode\"><div style=\"clear:both; margin-top:0em; margin-bottom:1em;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.carparts.com\/blog\/how-to-tell-positive-and-negative-terminals-on-a-car-battery\/\" target=\"_self\" rel=\"dofollow\" class=\"ub5cb19126f11b813c74517e58259f1ff\"><style> .ub5cb19126f11b813c74517e58259f1ff { padding:0px; margin: 0; padding-top:1em!important; padding-bottom:1em!important; width:100%; display: block; font-weight:bold; background-color:#eaeaea; border:0!important; border-left:4px solid #34495E!important; text-decoration:none; } .ub5cb19126f11b813c74517e58259f1ff:active, .ub5cb19126f11b813c74517e58259f1ff:hover { opacity: 1; transition: opacity 250ms; webkit-transition: opacity 250ms; text-decoration:none; } .ub5cb19126f11b813c74517e58259f1ff { transition: background-color 250ms; webkit-transition: background-color 250ms; opacity: 1; transition: opacity 250ms; webkit-transition: opacity 250ms; } .ub5cb19126f11b813c74517e58259f1ff .ctaText { font-weight:bold; color:#464646; text-decoration:none; font-size: 16px; } .ub5cb19126f11b813c74517e58259f1ff .postTitle { color:#000000; text-decoration: underline!important; font-size: 16px; } .ub5cb19126f11b813c74517e58259f1ff:hover .postTitle { text-decoration: underline!important; } <\/style><div style=\"padding-left:1em; padding-right:1em;\"><span class=\"ctaText\">See also<\/span>&nbsp; <span class=\"postTitle\">How to Tell Positive and Negative Terminals on a Car Battery<\/span><\/div><\/a><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p>In other words, poorly wired devices could draw power even when the engine is turned off. Typical culprits include the radio and electric windows.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">How to Prevent Parasitic Draw<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Knowing how to find the source of a parasitic draw is one thing, but knowing how to prevent it is another. Here are some handy tips to help you minimize the risk of a parasitic draw.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Regular Maintenance<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Keeping your vehicle well-maintained goes a long way in preventing parasitic draws. The draws usually happen when your vehicle&rsquo;s electronics malfunction or are incompatible with your car. Regular upkeep will help you nip potential issues in the bud.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Take care of your vehicle&rsquo;s electricity-powered tech and accessories to minimize the risk of draining your battery.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Use a Trickle Charger<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.carparts.com\/blog\/what-is-trickle-charging-and-is-it-good-for-car-batteries\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" aria-label=\"Trickle chargers\">Trickle chargers<\/a> take longer to fully recharge a battery compared to conventional chargers because they provide a slow and steady power output. They also help extend battery life, helping you save money and allowing you to leave the car battery charging overnight.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>These chargers help prevent the loss of power brought about by parasitic draw by providing your battery with constant power. There&rsquo;s also no risk of overcharging and damaging a battery because the power output is so weak.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Drive Regularly<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>It&rsquo;s a good idea to drive your vehicle around for extended periods to keep the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.carparts.com\/alternator\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" aria-label=\"alternator\">alternator<\/a> moving. This provides your car battery with a little extra juice, all while keeping the circuits flowing.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Dust also settles and builds up when your vehicle isn&rsquo;t in use and this can up the chances of relays getting stuck as well as short circuits. Worst of all, inactivity can kill car batteries.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">What Happens if You Neglect Parasitic Draw?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Neglecting parasitic draw in a car battery can lead to several problems, including but not limited to battery drain, issues with starting the car, and battery damage. Because of this, it&rsquo;s a good idea to address parasitic draw as soon as it manifests to save yourself a lot of time and effort.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Battery Drain<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>One of the most prominent problems that come with leaving parasitic draw unaddressed is battery drain. Your car battery will continuously waste power, even if the engine is disabled, meaning there&rsquo;s a chance the battery won&rsquo;t have enough power when you actually need it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Starting Issues<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>With insufficient power, your vehicle might have a more difficult time starting. You won&rsquo;t be able to drive out of your garage or the parking lot when this happens &mdash; and when it comes to dead batteries, it&rsquo;s an issue of &ldquo;when&rdquo; and not &ldquo;if.&rdquo;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Damaged Batteries<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>If parasitic drain persists in your vehicle for too long, it might potentially damage the battery for good. This typically manifests as corroded terminals. However, sometimes batteries become damaged to the point that they are unable to hold a charge and will need to be replaced.<\/p>\n<\/body><\/html>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p><span class=\"span-reading-time rt-reading-time\" style=\"display: block;\"><span class=\"rt-label rt-prefix\">Reading Time: <\/span> <span class=\"rt-time\"> 6<\/span> <span class=\"rt-label rt-postfix\">minutes<\/span><\/span>It&rsquo;s frustrating when your car battery fails out of nowhere, especially when it worked just fine yesterday. If you don&rsquo;t&#8230; <a href=\"https:\/\/www.carparts.com\/blog\/how-to-conduct-a-parasitic-draw-test-plus-causes-and-prevention-tips\/\" rel=\"nofollow\">Read More<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1651,"featured_media":99872,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"_genesis_hide_title":false,"_genesis_hide_breadcrumbs":false,"_genesis_hide_singular_image":false,"_genesis_hide_footer_widgets":false,"_genesis_custom_body_class":"","_genesis_custom_post_class":"","_genesis_layout":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[52,3758],"tags":[73,3032,3849,1439,4063],"ppma_author":[2607,2985],"class_list":{"0":"post-99870","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-diy","8":"category-electrical-system","9":"tag-battery","10":"tag-fuse","11":"tag-fuse-box","12":"tag-multimeter","13":"tag-wrench","14":"entry"},"acf":{"adrotate_specific_mobile_ad":"","adrotate_specific_desktop_ad":""},"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO plugin v27.6 - https:\/\/yoast.com\/product\/yoast-seo-wordpress\/ -->\n<title>How to Conduct a Parasitic Draw Test Plus Causes and Prevention Tips - In The Garage with CarParts.com<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"If you suspect something is draining your battery, learn how to conduct a parasitic draw test to diagnose the issue with this guide.\" \/>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/www.carparts.com\/blog\/how-to-conduct-a-parasitic-draw-test-plus-causes-and-prevention-tips\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"How to Conduct a Parasitic Draw Test Plus Causes and Prevention Tips - In The Garage with CarParts.com\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:description\" content=\"If you suspect something is draining your battery, learn how to conduct a parasitic draw test to diagnose the issue with this guide.\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:url\" content=\"https:\/\/www.carparts.com\/blog\/how-to-conduct-a-parasitic-draw-test-plus-causes-and-prevention-tips\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:site_name\" content=\"In The Garage with CarParts.com\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:publisher\" content=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/carpartscom\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:author\" content=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/carpartscom\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:published_time\" content=\"2024-01-13T07:32:33+00:00\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:modified_time\" content=\"2025-05-12T23:35:05+00:00\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:image\" content=\"https:\/\/www.carparts.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/01\/multimeter-used-for-parasitic-draw-test.jpg\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:width\" content=\"2000\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:height\" content=\"1186\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:type\" content=\"image\/jpeg\" \/>\n<meta name=\"author\" content=\"CarParts.com Research Team, Richard McCuistian, ASE Certified Master Automobile Technician\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:card\" content=\"summary_large_image\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:creator\" content=\"@https:\/\/twitter.com\/CarPartscom\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:site\" content=\"@carpartscom\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:label1\" content=\"Written by\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:data1\" content=\"CarParts.com Research Team\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:label2\" content=\"Est. reading time\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:data2\" content=\"7 minutes\" \/>\n<script type=\"application\/ld+json\" class=\"yoast-schema-graph\">{\"@context\":\"https:\\\/\\\/schema.org\",\"@graph\":[{\"@type\":\"Article\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.carparts.com\\\/blog\\\/how-to-conduct-a-parasitic-draw-test-plus-causes-and-prevention-tips\\\/#article\",\"isPartOf\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.carparts.com\\\/blog\\\/how-to-conduct-a-parasitic-draw-test-plus-causes-and-prevention-tips\\\/\"},\"author\":[{\"@type\":\"Person\",\"$id\":\"1651\",\"name\":\"CarParts.com Research Team\",\"jobTitle\":\"Expert Automotive Writer\",\"description\":\"The CarParts.com Research Team is composed of experienced automotive and tech writers working with (ASE)-certified automobile technicians and automotive journalists to bring up-to-date, helpful information to car owners in the US. 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