How To Do a Parasitic Drain Test

[SJorge3442]

How can I do a parasitic test on my b6 with the door open, since you know, our fuses are behind the door and our door ajar switch is part of the latch. What fuse runs the doors and such so that I can pull it and do the test.

Sent from my Nexus 6 using Tapatalk

[Rausch]

Just close the latch using your finger or a screwdriver.

[old guy]

Disconnect your negative battery cable and use your multimeter to to monitor the amperage draw. Wait 15 minutes before you check the draw since it takes that long for everything to power down. The door ajar circuit will quit after a few minutes. Observe the amperage as you unplug the fuses one at a time until you find what is causing the excessive power drain.

[SJorge3442]

Disconnect your negative battery cable and use your multimeter to to monitor the amperage draw. Wait 15 minutes before you check the draw since it takes that long for everything to power down. The door ajar circuit will quit after a few minutes. Observe the amperage as you unplug the fuses one at a time until you find what is causing the excessive power drain.

Thanks for the tips! I wasn't sure what process was for the door ajay calling it quits. Just pulled the car in the garage now that its snowing. I'll be getting back to work shortly!

Sent from my Nexus 6 using Tapatalk

[SJorge3442]

Disconnect your negative battery cable and use your multimeter to to monitor the amperage draw. Wait 15 minutes before you check the draw since it takes that long for everything to power down. The door ajar circuit will quit after a few minutes. Observe the amperage as you unplug the fuses one at a time until you find what is causing the excessive power drain.

So I think its time for a new multimeter. My junk harbor freight one needs to go. I've identified I do have a draw coming from a few fuses, not sure if they related somehow.

Instrument Cluster - this was taking me from .84 on the meter to .64 when unplugged.

Air Conditioning - This fuse then dropped me from .64 to .41.

Now, what could be causing either of three two to have issues? FWIW I had the cluster out a few months ago to replace the buzzer.

I think my next step is to get a better multimeter and start again for better numbers.

Edit:
Now that I'm thinking, even .42 is way too much, since thats 420 milliamps. I guess I should pull the ecu cover and start pulling bigger relays? Same under the kick panel?
Sent from my Nexus 6 using Tapatalk

[RPMtech147]

50 milliamps is the max draw you want for a modern car. That may show up on you meter/dvom as .050 in the 10 or 2 amp range if your meter is not auto-ranging. Also, the cheaper meters are great for tracking draws; They don't auto-shutoff. I keep a $20 craftsman meter next to my fluke just for this.

[SJorge3442]

50 milliamps is the max draw you want for a modern car. That may show up on you meter/dvom as .050 in the 10 or 2 amp range if your meter is not auto-ranging. Also, the cheaper meters are great for tracking draws; They don't auto-shutoff. I keep a $20 craftsman meter next to my fluke just for this.

This gauge just bounces around a ton. Not sure if it's cause the draws or from being a crappy meter. Afterwards, I had the red battery light start intermediately, so I parked it. I think the alternator is to blame at this point. Gonna pull it tomorrow and get it tested. Oh joy

Sent from my Nexus 6 using Tapatalk

[tHatOne guY]

Good luck, once had the joy of pulling my alternator 3 times to get a good one from O'Reilly's. After that I said screw it, bought a new one online, new not reman. No issues ever since.

Try leaving the alarm disarmed and recording the results, then arming and checking the difference, see if the amperage still jumps as well.

[SJorge3442]

Good luck, once had the joy of pulling my alternator 3 times to get a good one from O'Reilly's. After that I said screw it, bought a new one online, new not reman. No issues ever since.

Try leaving the alarm disarmed and recording the results, then arming and checking the difference, see if the amperage still jumps as well.

Good thought. I'll give that a shot too. Hoping it ends up being simple and it's just a bad alternator

Sent from my Nexus 6 using Tapatalk

[SJorge3442]

Wanted to bring this back up. Turns out the reman Remy alternator I installed a month ago shit the bed and was causing some of my issues, although, I'm still getting a draw thats bringing my battery down. The fuse for the AC and Instrument cluster are the biggest contributors to the draw, any reason why? I read on AudiWorld and Vortex that someone had this issue when they had a fried ECU. Maybe I should throw my spare ECU in and see what my draw is? Any help is appreciated.

[G.AUDI]

Not sure its mentioned but is your radio stock? I upgraded to RNSE and although I haven't tested for sure, I believe it is a big part why my battery drains after 3 days of non use .

Sent from my A0001 using Tapatalk

[customa4]

Not sure its mentioned but is your radio stock? I upgraded to RNSE and although I haven't tested for sure, I believe it is a big part why my battery drains after 3 days of non use .

Sent from my A0001 using Tapatalk

I believe I have the same issue with mine.^^

[SJorge3442]

Not sure its mentioned but is your radio stock? I upgraded to RNSE and although I haven't tested for sure, I believe it is a big part why my battery drains after 3 days of non use .

Sent from my A0001 using Tapatalk

I have a pioneer app radio2. Tested this circuit and nothing is live or sending power with the car off. Good call though.

[fR3ZNO]

Going through a similar problem myself. Went through the hassle of swapping alternators only to find the original one is fine. But I did replace the battery since it was 7 years old.

Measured the draw as outlined here and the Bentley, draw is in spec, but battery goes flat if car sits for a couple days.





Note that the meter is in milliamperes...

[SJorge3442]

Going through a similar problem myself. Went through the hassle of swapping alternators only to find the original one is fine. But I did replace the battery since it was 7 years old.

Measured the draw as outlined here and the Bentley, draw is in spec, but battery goes flat if car sits for a couple days.





Note that the meter is in milliamperes...

Start pulling fuses. Mine is 100% coming from the ccm. I think a relay is sticking open. Gonna mess with it more in the spring.

Sent from my Nexus 6 using Tapatalk