draining battery
lmilburn13
02-06-2006, 10:03 PM
Anybody know where I can find a wiring diagram for a 97 suzuki sidekick? something is draining my battery. I need to find out what's hot with the key off. I used the volt meter and went through the fuse box but can't find the problem. I have a hayes manuel but it does not include a diagram of what's hot. The idea of disconnecting everything to test is not appealing.
jtgh
05-18-2007, 10:28 PM
do you have a choice?
it takes an ampmeter connected inseries with the ground battery lead. ( not starting allowed !!)
current must be below 20 milliamps that is 0.020 amps.
That is SAE spec. btw.
park in dark garage and look for stuck on lamps.
now remove the following lamps.
glove box, trunk, hood, ash tray, ( I keep mine in a bag until I sell ).
install ampmeter as stated.
see drain.
now pull every fuse in the car and look for a drop below 20milliamps.
bingo , you found your bad circuit.
if not , you need an expert.
even the regulator in the alternator can leak ,killing a battery.
what make you think you have a drain.
charge you battery , unplug it, what 1 or 2 days.
plug it back in and car starts.
do same but keep battery connected and car will not start. then you have a drain.
If you go to Autozone and have them test your battery and alternator for free, then you can assume there is a drain.
The acid test is an ampmeter.
never place the ampmeter across the battery terms, it will explode or at least blow an internal fuse.
do you have an alarm (unplug it ) but this might kill start.
do you have a LowJack (unplug it)
do you have some other advanced electronics, like high end audio,or GPS stuff?
Unplugging is the only way.
the ampmeter is the Canary.
it takes an ampmeter connected inseries with the ground battery lead. ( not starting allowed !!)
current must be below 20 milliamps that is 0.020 amps.
That is SAE spec. btw.
park in dark garage and look for stuck on lamps.
now remove the following lamps.
glove box, trunk, hood, ash tray, ( I keep mine in a bag until I sell ).
install ampmeter as stated.
see drain.
now pull every fuse in the car and look for a drop below 20milliamps.
bingo , you found your bad circuit.
if not , you need an expert.
even the regulator in the alternator can leak ,killing a battery.
what make you think you have a drain.
charge you battery , unplug it, what 1 or 2 days.
plug it back in and car starts.
do same but keep battery connected and car will not start. then you have a drain.
If you go to Autozone and have them test your battery and alternator for free, then you can assume there is a drain.
The acid test is an ampmeter.
never place the ampmeter across the battery terms, it will explode or at least blow an internal fuse.
do you have an alarm (unplug it ) but this might kill start.
do you have a LowJack (unplug it)
do you have some other advanced electronics, like high end audio,or GPS stuff?
Unplugging is the only way.
the ampmeter is the Canary.
Automotive Network, Inc., Copyright ©2025