Curious problem with testing for parasitic drain with digital multimeter
07-16-2019, 10:19 AM
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2007 Mercedes E550
Curious problem with testing for parasitic drain with digital multimeter
Hey All,
I have a curious problem that I wondered if anyone else had experienced. I'm testing for parasitic draw with my multimeter, but after allowing time for the car to sleep the multimeter "wakes up" the car and I cannot do the test.
Specifically, I disconnect the negative battery terminal, connect red end of meter to cable and black to top of battery, and am looking for a milliamp draw of greater than 50 to confirm parasitic drain is killing my battery. The digital multimeter has a battery in it, and as soon as I make the connection the care wakes up! My only thought is to use an analog multimeter test?
Has anyone had this experience or can share suggestions? THANK YOU very much in advance and have a great day!
-Lex
I have a curious problem that I wondered if anyone else had experienced. I'm testing for parasitic draw with my multimeter, but after allowing time for the car to sleep the multimeter "wakes up" the car and I cannot do the test.
Specifically, I disconnect the negative battery terminal, connect red end of meter to cable and black to top of battery, and am looking for a milliamp draw of greater than 50 to confirm parasitic drain is killing my battery. The digital multimeter has a battery in it, and as soon as I make the connection the care wakes up! My only thought is to use an analog multimeter test?
Has anyone had this experience or can share suggestions? THANK YOU very much in advance and have a great day!
-Lex
07-17-2019, 08:12 AM
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2002 Mercedes Benz SL500
When you reattach the negative cable via the multimeter, the car will wake up again. Just wait for it's allotted time and it will go back to sleep.
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LexBrett2 (07-17-2019)
07-17-2019, 08:21 PM
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Ha ha it was like 2am well I realized this is what I need to do. I own 2 digital meters, and both have auto off funtion so that may same up car. My analog meter should do the trick tho
