When you recently purchased your car battery and find it dead, you may wonder why, and what happened. It is highly unlikely you bought a faulty battery. Then what could lead to a dead battery so soon. Parasitic Battery Drain is the main and the most common culprit in such cases. Your car may be sucking up the battery power and running itself on, although all the lights and the other electrical systems are shut off. This is when you know you have a parasitic battery drain.
Some common causes of parasitic battery drain include:
- Electrical components left on
- Faulty alternator
- Short circuits
- Malfunctioning components (e.g., radio, alarm system)
- Old or corroded wiring
A certain amount of parasitic drain is normal. The dashboard clock, alarm system, and computer in your car use very little power to operate. This electrical load is referred to as the “key-off.” Most batteries can tolerate this extremely low level of battery drain.
However, you will experience difficulties starting your vehicle or powering electrical features if your battery decreases below 75% of its full capacity. If the discharge falls below 25%, your battery might sustain irreparable damage.
Trace Your Car Battery Drain
When you can’t get your car to start, check to see if the battery is the issue. It is typically simple to check even without any tools. It may be the battery if you turn on the ignition key and try to start but nothing happens—not even a click of the starter motor relay. Activating the ignition and turning on the headlights is another simple test. You probably have a dead battery if they seem dim or don’t light up at all.
The easiest solution for a dead battery is to jump-start the vehicle. You can do this with jump leads, a booster pack, or even just pushing or towing the vehicle and dumping the clutch while in gear. This usually gets the car moving. Check your car’s manual to find out the necessary steps. Some vehicles cannot be towed or even jump-started.
How to Fix Parasitic Drain
- Any broken parts found during testing should be fixed or replaced.
- Look for any corroded wiring and replace or repair it as required.
- If your alternator is defective, have it replaced by a professional
- Invest in a battery disconnect switch to avoid parasitic drain in idle mode.
Parasitic draws can be a pain to search for. However, being patient and persistent enough during the tests will have the problem narrowed down soon. Although sometimes major parts just fail, battery drain happens more commonly due to lousy switches, dirty grounds, loose terminals, and spliced wires. Hence, test all possible before replacing a main part.
Do not neglect routine car maintenance. Have your vehicle’s charging system inspected by a qualified technician. Ensure that the alternator, voltage regulator, and other components are functioning properly. Regular maintenance of your battery can help identify possible drainers before they become a larger issue. This includes checking the charging system and looking for signs of wear and tear on your battery.
