Parasitic Draw & Electrical Drain Testing
Let Battery SOS pinpoint hidden electrical drains that silently drain your battery. Our on-site testing service helps identify power loss from faulty relays, modules, or wiring—even when your vehicle appears to be functioning normally.
🔍 What's Causing the Drain?
- Also known as parasitic battery drain, this issue happens when small currents continue to power electronics or modules—even after the vehicle has been shut off (Electric drive modules, under-dome lighting, glove-box lights, aftermarket installations, etc.)
- While normal draw is typically 20–50 mA, a current above this can fully drain a battery in a few days or overnight.
- On modern vehicles, modules may stay “awake” for 30–120 minutes after shutdown, making patience key during diagnostics.
🛠️ Our Accurate Diagnostic Process
- Vehicle Prep
All systems off; doors and lights closed. We allow vehicle electronics to fully enter sleep mode before proceeding. - Precise Current Measurement
Using a digital multimeter in series with the negative battery cable, we first stabilize readings by waiting for dormant modules to power down. Initial spikes are normal. - Fuse-Level Isolation
We remove fuses or relays one at a time while monitoring current draw. A significant drop when removing a fuse reveals the affected circuit. New methods like fuse voltage-drop testing can detect live circuits without disturbing module sleep state. - Component Investigation
With wiring diagrams and component knowledge, we track down the specific component—like a malfunctioning relay or stuck light switch—that causes the draw. - Reporting & Recommendations
We deliver a clear report on measured draw, impacted components, and recommendations—whether repair or replacement is needed.
✅ Why Choose Battery SOS Diagnostics
- Fully mobile—we do it at your location without towing involved.
- Professional-grade tools and techniques let us test without disturbing modern vehicle electronics.
- Transparent results empower you to make informed maintenance choices.
- We integrate diagnostics seamlessly into battery or charging system services.
Experiencing unexplained battery drain despite everything switched off?
Tap below to schedule your parasitic draw test or combine it with any Battery SOS service for complete peace of mind.