I have a problem with the electical system. after letting my car sit for about 2 days i will go to start it and the battery will be dead. does anyone know how much current the car draws when its off? I am sure that i don't leave the lights on etc. because it has happened more than once. anyone with a current meter care to go out in the cold and measure their car for me I need to know the draw when the car is completely OFF, any help is appreciated.

 

Well, I have a meter, but that would require getting up. Even if you were like next door, it's still getting up. Just go to Sears or something. They sell cheap Craftsman meters. They're pretty useful.

 

i have a meter i just need to compare what my car is drawing to what it should be drawing.

 

Put your meter on there and let it sit for one hour so the car will have time to go to sleep. After that, you should have no more than 50 milliamps draw.

 

ok ill try putting it on there for an extended amount of time. we did have it on there for awhile and it was drawing about 290 milliamps but ill try again.

 

My car was doing the same thing, i just replaced the battery and its fine.. It just would lose the charge so quickly just sitting there.

 

Test the bettery andif it's not a problem with the battery (has sufficient charge)then check the positive cable connected to the head of the battery for oxidation. Clean all oxidation from the wire head and also the wire itself (you may have to strip some of the wire to clean it and then re-apply the connector that hooks to the top of the battery.)

If your battery is actually drained and has no charge and you have bought a new one which continues to have it's power drained then you might need a new alternator.