98 Ram Battery Draw

[mikef703]

Battery draw enough to kill the battery if I dont use it every day.
Is this a common problum for the computer to draw down the battery

[Airjer_]

No.

The maximum draw should be .050 amps. Any more and there is an issue. Many times the actual draw will be way less.

[Chris Stewart]

I have a similiar issue...after 90 days of no run, the engine won't turn over but will turn over and start fine after 30 days no run. This is an old semi-retired Olds work horse.
Can I use a digital volt meter to check this/how?
thanks

[Airjer_]

90 days there may not be a problem. Draw can be checked with an amp meter. With one lead of the battery disconnected attach the positive lead of the meter to the battery and the negative lead to the cable. (you just put your meter in series with the battery). Make sure all the doors are closed, hood lights diabled, and the key is off before you do this.

Initially it is not uncommon to see a high amperage draw. You may have to wait for 20-30 minutes for everything that is supposed to shut down to shut down. You should see a definite drop in amperage at some point.

If there is no drop and your reading over .050 amps than its time to start pulling fuses to isolate the circuit with the draw. Once the circuit is isolated you can focus on the items within the circuit.

Patience is the key. Draws are generally not easy to diagnose. There are a few really common things that do cause them. Aftermarket radios, Glove box lights, and trunk lights. Older Chryslers are notorious for the interior lights not working but if you turn on the dome lights with the dimmer adjust knob it will cause a draw!

[badchallenger09]

I knew a guy who had a very similar problem. If he didn't unhook the battery every night it was dead by morning. As crazy as it sound, the draw ended being under the drivers seat. Somehow a wire had come loose in the harness, I think for the seat belt, and had a terrible draw. According to a dodge tech that he went through, it was a fairly common problem.

A digital volt meter works ok for troubleshooting battery draw issues, but what I have found that works the best is a battery load tester. The ones with the heating element inside for the load and has a needle indicator. Hooks up in the same manner, put it between the positive battery cable and the post.

[Chris Stewart]

Thanks Airjer. I have a dvom in my toolbox so I'll try that way first.
The wiring is 100% stock from the factory.
I know where I can borrow a battery load tester if I have trouble....this guy also has an old Sun Diagnostic Center that everything still worked a few years ago.

[Airjer_]

Low amp probes also work pretty good. (similar to the load test amp probe) That way you don't have to unhook the battery or worry about blowing fuses in your meter.

the other thing with an overnight draw is, and this is rare but it does happen, the battery itself can have an internal draw. If you leave it unhooked overnight and its dead in the morning, problem solved.