Battery keeps going dead (what to test before replacing)

In this video I will show you the tests you need to perform on a car with a dead battery. The three main things we must determine:
1. Does the battery need to be replaced?
2. Is the alternator charging correctly?
3. Is there a parasitic drain on the system with the ignition off?
When you have a car that is only driven once a month combined with a cold climate, special attention must be made to the battery drain test. (parasitic drain).
Symptoms
- battery keeps going dead (1 year old battery)
Fix
- replace battery
Tests shown
- how to test a charging system
- how to be sure the alternator diodes are okay
- how to test a battery
- how to test for a parasitic drain (battery drain)
- what is the acceptable current flow from a battery with the ignition off
Tools used
- Deluxe DMM w/Amp Shutters (AES# esi-582)
www.aeswave.com/cart.php?m=af...
- NOCO GB70 Jump Starter
amzn.to/2dWixwt
Playlist
- Starting, Charging and Battery system problems
• Starting, Charging and...
Related videos
- How to locate a battery drain (parasitic drain test) Part 1
• 1993 GM 3.1 No Start C...
- How to locate a battery drain (parasitic drain test) Part 2
• 1993 GM 3.1 No Start C...
- Bad Alternator Diode causing transmission/speedometer problems
• Bad Alternator Diode c...
Parasitic Drain Tests (SD Premium videos)
- How to test for a battery drain problem (parasitic drain test) - Lexus GS 300
• Video
- Alternator parasitic drain classroom review (Lexus GS 300 Case Study)
• Video
- 2011 Caravan Intermittent No Crank, No Start, Dead Battery (TIPM Problems)
• Video
For more information on this topic, I have written a “field manual” called Engine Performance Diagnostics which is available at www.scannerdanner.com as an eBook or paper book.
Want even more diagnostic training? Whether you are a DIY trying to fix your own car, someone looking to become an auto technician, or a current auto technician that wants to get more into diagnostics, subscribe to ScannerDanner Premium www.scannerdanner.com/join-sc... There is a 14 day free trial.
On ScannerDanner Premium I will bring you right into my classroom at Rosedale Technical College. You will find page for page lectures taken right from my book as well as exclusive classroom type case studies. What is so special about these classroom case studies? I pull live problem vehicles directly into my classroom and we troubleshoot them in real time, using and applying the theory and testing procedures we learn during the classroom lectures. There is no better on-line training of how to troubleshoot automotive electrical and electronics systems anywhere!
Disclaimer:
Due to factors beyond the control of ScannerDanner LLC, it cannot guarantee against unauthorized modifications of this information, or improper use of this information. ScannerDanner LLC assumes no liability for property damage or injury incurred as a result of any of the information contained in this video. ScannerDanner LLC recommends safe practices when working with power tools, automotive lifts, lifting tools, jack stands, electrical equipment, blunt instruments, chemicals, lubricants, or any other tools or equipment seen or implied in this video. Due to factors beyond the control of ScannerDanner LLC, no information contained in this video shall create any express or implied warranty or guarantee of any particular result. Any injury, damage or loss that may result from improper use of these tools, equipment, or the information contained in this video is the sole responsibility of the user and not ScannerDanner LLC.

[@SmittySmithsonite]

About 7 years ago I picked up a BatteryMINDER 5-stage desulphating charger, with temperature compensation. This thing has paid for itself HUNDREDS of times over - not even exaggerating. Seeing that battery there having a build date in '14, I would bet that 2 weeks on my charger would bring that battery right back from the dead. Not even kidding. Thing is amazing. Batteries I thought I would have to toss, I ended up getting 3 to 5 more years out of! I have zero affiliation with the company - I just like it when stuff works better than advertised in this day and age. :) I just picked up another one last week (Model 128CEC1). They updated the unit for 2016, so you are now able to see more of what it's doing and understand it better. They also did away with the long temp sensor that used to have to be connected to battery ground to work - the new one is just a temp sensor, that plugs into a very short pigtail coming out of the unit. It's also set up specifically for the Odyssey AGM battery I run in my truck, so that was another added bonus. I haven't tried the new one yet on a completely smoked battery, but I'm confident it will be every bit as good as my old one. At least I hope anyway. The internet will be the first to hear about it if it's not! :D

[@Speedstack21]

Had my neighbor's 2003 Audi A4 battery continually needing a jump. No one could figure out the problem even after 2 new batteries. I came home late one night (3am) from hanging out with friends in the dead cold of winter and saw her brake lights on. It turned out her brake light switch was out of adjustment and had a hair trigger. The problem was when the temperature dropped and materials contracted enough, the switch closed the circuit and turned the brake light bulbs on until the ambient temperature got warmer or the battery died. I know it sounds crazy, but sometimes thinking outside the box can save from having to buy a new battery. Anyways great video Paul, keep up the good work.

[@gabrieltorres6569]

Speedstack21 wow😮

[@jusb1066]

yep with a good scope, he can scope for a long period and make sure that nothing is coming in later.

[@hollymolly518]

haunted car

[@elgatogordo9523]

I agree, my folks owned a 1977 Plymouth Volare. During the cold winter nights, the horn would start blasting in the early morning all by itself. Turned out, the plastic material would shrink enough to close the horn switch on the steering wheel and practically wake up the dead 👻💀

[@ruftime]

Love the family participation and sibling hazing::-) Thank you!

[@scopetechdiagnostics1138]

Thank you for all your video's and hard work Paul i dont know where u get the time with family & rosedale tech plus onsite diagnosis but i am thankful you squeeze it in, i have learnt more in 9 mths as a premium customers than my whole apprenticeship as a Mechanic :)) thanks.

[@ScannerDanner]

+Jesse McCarthy thanks so much Jesse! It's hard to manage everything for sure. It's Saturday and I've been in front of my computer for more than 8 hours :( But I got a good one on a computer controlled alternator ready for upload on SD Premium

[@andrewwmacfadyen6958]

Nice video, nice to meet more of your family, It would be good to do a video on the premium channel on battery care and testing.

[@74tyty]

love you ,Danner I can't stop to watch you'r video .......sry for my english

[@GettinJunkDone]

Excellent info. Sometimes "little" things like the battery get overlooked when a car sits. I like to throw my second car on a battery tender when it sits for a while, just in case of something like this.

[@douglasjohnson2947]

This was great. Saved me a lot of time and money!

[@ourlegacy]

The most important final recommendation after analyzing the test results that is missing in this case (since the cause of battery is not likely from a parasitic drain at 11mA) should be the purchase of a battery charger/maintainer and some basic battery diagnostic tools (hydrometer and/or a battery and system tester) in tracking the state of health and in equalizing the charges of an old lead acid battery. Buying a new battery won't help if the battery is going to sit again. Anyone who owns an automotive battery must keep the battery charged up either manually by a battery charger or automatically by a smart battery charger and maintainer. All flooded lead acid batteries will need battery equalization done regularly to maintain and extend battery life.

[@Turbotomass]

Good video, very important to test all systems in this situation.

[@scopetechdiagnostics1138]

Thanks for the reply Paul, looking forward to the new one on your Premium channel, or any of your uploads for that matter, They are all great! Find something new in every one i watch.

[@triggera3851]

That squeak was piercing haha. Great video and information.

[@ScannerDanner]

Sorry about that

[@mariaabrahampictures7228]

Hey Scanner Danner! I have a Vantage, and I’m having battery issues on my car. I wanted to look at the alternator ripple. Do I need an AC coupler filter? Or what were your settings when you were looking at ripple in this vid? Thank you!

[@josephespinoza9354]

i like to have a good full charged battery before i do any electrical diag. nice video .

[@whitetiger8652]

Great job guys.

I wanted to hit the subscribe button. But I am already subscribed. What the crops.

[@TRcustomengineering]

Just tell him to disconnect his negative battery terminal if it's going to be sitting for awhile, I disconnect all my battery's that sit. Thanks for the video Paul.

[@ScannerDanner]

+Tim R thank you Tim

[@nickayivor8432]

Good Afternoon ScannerDanner take care and have a great day ScannerDanner 👍 God bless you ScannerDanner 👍 Great tutorial thank you 👍 From Nick Ayivor from London England UK 🇬🇧

[@Pablo_Automotive]

Nice work Paul & family. =P

[@bobl78]

you don´t have the camera with you on vacation, but you never leave without your Vantage and the boost pack :-)

[@fieldsofomagh]

The car battery needs trickle charging during the off time or else run the car for a few minutes every 3 days.A year old battery should be in tip top shape. Great to see your family and great interest in the auto scene.

[@andrewwmacfadyen6958]

+Tom OConnor I was always taught a battery that is discharge slowly or has been left discharge over an extended period needs a slow charge to push the charge through the full thickness of the plates, a battery that has been discharged relatively quickly can be charged more quickly. A lot of modern batteries have "improved" lead acid chemistry and can't be recovered by normal recharging.

[@rickh4667]

Hi Paul my name is Rick, thank you for your work and all of your You Tube posts. I'm in Australia so g'day mate! lol. I used to work as an Auto Electrician as it's called over here, and changed careers for some years. But I have been wanting to go back to automotive engine management and electronics. There is nothing like your posts over here and I'm hoping to do your premium courses soon. Great to see your a Christian also as I am. May God bless you and your family Paul. Thanks again Rick.

[@ScannerDanner]

+Rick Hayward Thanks brother! Let me know when your ready and I'll give you a coupon for a free month.

[@V10PDTDI]

One thing to consider on more complex cars is the can bus system and modules still awake for at least 10 minutes more or less for some cars and a car with a key less system make sure the key is not near the car on time I got a VW mk5 Jetta with a broken wire in the driver door it very common for this generation on car but one wire that caused and parasitic draw is one can bus wire that was broken for the comfort system and would communicate with the window motor and there is 2 wires for the bus system they are twisted together with a scan tool you can see the can bus data status going to a single to a 2 wire status on an off constantly when there is no wire issue the status shows the bus in a 2 wire mode then when you lock the car all the modules go into a sleep mode in matter of minutes I also saw some alternator shorts and they would drain the battery in a short period of time thanks for the video the thing is when you get a car that draws only intermittently it's sometimes not easy.

[@ScannerDanner]

+V10PDTDI absolutely and I've covered this in other videos. I should have mentioned that here too

[@susie2275]

Very nice video, but noticed the top of the battery is damp. Also need to check the surface voltage. Batteries sweat alot as they discharge. The film of acid will conduct several volts as well. A quick wash with baking soda is all that is needed.

[@1977jelliott]

Heard you mention your mission work. I like that you do stuff to help people eg mission trips, I try to do the same think it is universal regardless of religious and non-religious differences..

[@jpp9876]

i would consider three things. how far is the car driven when it is used, does it get a chance to charge up. also check amperage cable, battery grounds and Toyota has an extra battery cable connector on main battery cables that need to be cleaned.

[@wysetech2000]

Basic, simple and very useful info for someone who has never done that type of testing before and can be done with a moderately priced volt/amp meter.I would like to add for your viewers that on newer vehicles you have to wait for electronics to go to "sleep" before that test is valid.Is Caleb another mechanic/automotive instructor in the making?

[@ScannerDanner]

+wysetech2000 for sure, and I should have mentioned that

[@Fee.1]

Can you explain how you removed the power connection to the alarm/remote start module ? Does disconecting the ground to it remove its power? I want to test to see if my aftermarket alarm is causing a draw and how much, but not sure how to remove power to it easily

[@SteveRobReviews]

Nice to see the family . Think we can talk your brother into getting Chevy LOL. Nice vid. Cheers buddy.

[@ScannerDanner]

+STEVE ROB thanks Steve!

[@nicke2307]

I had the same issue on a 07 mustang i used to own. I would garage it all winter and have a dead battery by spring. I ended going with a battery that had a larger reserve current size and a tender and problem never came back. In fact i forgot to plug in the tender one year and the car started right up so reserve current size is also a big factor.

[@azimmey]

My drain on my 1990 Olds 98 Regency was the the Air Compressor for the air shocks of all things.

[@TheBegoing]

Had a first generation navigator doing that to me as well. Had already replaced the air ride with spring before I noticed it. Didnt realize it until I heard the compressor noise so loud I thought someone was taking my truck.

[@call.me.k.o.]

Max or somebody should still drive it every couple weeks, and in the winter start it every couple Days ! Thanks for the vid. Paul

[@ScannerDanner]

+callmeko thank you

[@vintainatongo996]

callmeko has

[@treenopie]

Jump pack...nice!

[@DeeBee2013]

Nice family video

[@bigmac8299]

Hell my car does this just after a few days with no starting... Never thought about disconnecting the battery though thanks for the information in the comment section

[@johnferguson7235]

You can use a battery charger on a timer to keep the battery charged when a car is left sitting for a long time. Just set the timer to run 10-30 min per day. With a little experimentation, you can find the right time for the charger to run.

[@rodpalm6398]

Anything over 30ma will suck that battery down. Alarm systems are famous for wearing batteries down if they sit for an extended period. Best to use a battery cut off switch if your car sits for extended periods of time. I should also point out that once that battery goes below 11.8 volts for any length of time they do not come back from that and no amount of charging will fix it and you will need a new battery. And Danner, I don't believe we have seen part 4 of the lift kit installation. I hope you took note of my specific instructions to complete the job in part 3.

[@bobl78]

+Rod Palm: right.. just one deep discharge and the battery will never be the same...

[@stephenfiore9960]

.......... Great info. I forgot about the Alarm system on my Crown Vic, that I am now using for a back up car. How many mili-Amps do you think a Crown Vic Alarm system draws.

[@mrbakerskatz]

Dan and company , I enthadickly enjoy watching your channel . 17 minutes seems like a 2 minute trailor come on bro !! and one other thing , you need to get an 06 Marquis to work on !! LOL But seriously Thank you for sharing !!

[@ScannerDanner]

+mrbakerskatz It's Paul, but that's okay, I get Dan all the time (last name is Danner)

[@phigo4kins]

Hi, Paul, Since You travel alot, If You ever come to Maryland Or Washington DC area, I got Some Bugs I've been chasing for a while on 3 different Cars that would be worth filming and Learning from for everybody, If You can. Everything from battery drain to O2 Sensors, Airbags and Cooling Fans Problems. Cheers!

[@mohammedshamy6768]

.as always a great video Paul .I would like to add a comment about that because I familiar with Toyota .if this remote system is a Genuine Not an After Market instillation , the situation will be better Remote control ECU transfers from WAKE UP mode to SLEEP mode 30 sec after closing and locking all doors, and all systems follow this strategy to save power. ECM and all ECUs go to sleep and there is no any activity on LAN BUS . after that , 45 sec later , the THEFT DETERRENT system will be activated. thank you for your posting

[@ScannerDanner]

+Mohammed Shamy thanks for the data!

[@Chris-Fennimore]

After installing new battery, he should buy a dashboard solar cell charger to maintain charge. That's a small-amperage battery to begin with. That way he can continue leaving it sit for a month at a time. But starting it once a week would really help.

[@erikjohnson2889]

MAN! Y'all have some powerful DNA, Paul. Lotsa brains in your beautiful family. As always I greatly appreciate and enjoy your videos. Paul, I'm new to the scannerdanner world, but I did subscribe to your paid service...I'm just starting to dig in. It's fascinating and brilliant stuff. I'm a professional musician, but I think I see a side hustle (bad word haha) in my future thanks to you and Eric O!

[@ScannerDanner]

Thanks so much!

[@kd7cwg]

Grew up in sheffield village. Right next door to lorain.

[@Photostudioww]

97-01 toyota camrys have a battery hold down with long brackets that go on the top side of the battery. ive got a smaller battery on my 01 and the bracket got loose and touched the positive post and shorted the battery. to fix the problem i just got a new battery and wraped the hold down bracket with rubber. never had any problems with car before that. even when i left the car parked for near two months in the middle of colorado winter. went to start it and started right up.

[@devindersingh5638]

Hi, just a little question,is there any membership do you suggest will be good to learn all this auto electrician stuff online?

[@ScannerDanner]

Yes! I offer training on my website. Sign up for the free trial then it's only $11 a month after that giving you access to over 530 training videos and counting. www.scannerdanner.com/join-scannerdanner-premium.html Hope to see you there!

[@jeffscomp]

I think you should check the water level in the battery if the car sits a lot. They dry up after awhile.

[@code3responsevideos872]

jeffscomp I’ve heard if the lead has been dry too long adding water can damage it

[@adviseandmorecarsandmore8346]

You have to check the amp output on the alternator not only voltage output

[@justkloo2]

Assumptions like this make my job ALOT more difficult as a 12 add on tech. teaches younger guys just to jump to remote starters and aftermarket stuff when there still is a problem with the cars.. 90% of the time i get called back i find whats wrong and its not aftermarket stuff.

[@ScannerDanner]

+justkloo2 assumptions like what? It took two minutes to isolate a known problem area. When troubleshooting problems, we are always making assumptions, then we walk down that path and prove that assumption to be either right or wrong. If we are right, we keep walking that path, if we are wrong, we back up and go another direction. Not sure what your beef is here?

[@michaelrutledge1051]

Well u should have checked the radio I have run into couple times where it shorts out .on o ei unplugged radio an stopped the battery drainage.so how can check radio for draining the battery with out unplugging it ?

[@LetsFixIT]

trickle charge it , since its sitting so long or unhook the battery when not in use.

[@javaman2883]

I have a Suburban with the 7.4L engine, does great for towing but only 13MPG, so it sits for weeks at a time. I kept finding a dead battery when I needed the vehicle. So I got a cheap trickle charger, the $ sale at HF. I just plug that in when I've done with the Burban. No more problem.

[@jameswhite5440]

@@javaman2883 m.j

[@Mahigeer1]

Was the water in the battery checked?

[@richardcranium5839]

use a test light. ya always have more voltage at night lmao. yeah ny state posted in april my first thought was a frozen battery. they will often bulge the sides of the case. if ya see the bulge ya better indulge (in a replacement)

[@vintainatongo996]

richard cranium has

[@whichdoctor4858]

I don’t have more than 40mA drain, checked fuses, battery supplier test ok, alternator charging 14.4V, battery trickles to 12.7V. Battery still flats after 3 days. Pulled fuse 25 out, fuel and trunk actuator plugs pulled, no luck. No OBD codes. Battery sitting in garage keeping charge. My own battery tester shows 72% health after one year old and fluctuates between good battery and sometimes replace. Alternator 0.01V AC but suspecting battery or alternator diode.

[@jamesbarratt593]

Two questions to a good video. I looked up your Genius Boost HD jump pack and I like it. So how do you find it? Then question 2 being I went out to a Honda FRV 2.2 CDTI with a battery drain today. Fixed it and found the boot light causing .61 drain on 10a setting with the meter. Took bulb out and drain went down to 0.0. So I got paid and the customer went driving. I check battery with engine running to see 14v to proove alternator charging, yet he just sent me a pic of the battery light flashing again on the dashboard. Its got a new YUASA battery that holds charge with leads/terminals disconnected, so i'm thinking maybe alternator has intermittent charging? Whats your view?

[@ScannerDanner]

Hard to say. Check it for fault codes first, then go from there.

[@jamesbarratt593]

Check out my business Paul. I have just built the website today. Drain fuel and also provide mobile mechanics/diagnostics. www.thewrongfuelguy.co.uk

[@juergenscholl2843]

How was the fluid level in the cells?

[@ozzstars_cars]

Car fun with the family on your day off!

[@ScannerDanner]

+Ozzstar yes, and my hotel bill is now a tax write off :)

[@ozzstars_cars]

ScannerDanner you got that right! haha

[@jimbuford4147]

+ScannerDanner Not only your hotel but also your travel and food. Everywhere you go you need to do some work and video it on your paid channel to maintain that tax exemption. By the way, I checked out Hamilton College and it is ranked very high among liberal arts colleges with only a 26% acceptance rate so only the best and brightest can get in. Great video as usual.

[@ScannerDanner]

+Jim Buford Thanks Jim

[@billdevoe4914]

+ScannerDanner Any opinions on using a low amp current probe or voltage drop to find a parasitic draw? I've been told by some techs on newer cars modules won't time out and will stay on from a software glitch and disconnecting the negative terminal to put a DMM inline will mask the issue. I figured the amp probe wouldn't detect such a small draw accurately if at all and checking voltage drop on every fuse would take longer but it made sense because with out current flow there'd be no drop.

[@ScannerDanner]

+Bill DeVoe I've used the low amp probe for this test. Yes, newer systems need to time out and disconnecting the battery can interfere. The voltage drop test on the fuses in this situation would have taken way too long and would not have been very helpful

[@PearlofRocketland]

Did you ever fix this problem? I had a similar problem, turned out to be the alternator! I checked the alternator voltage as you did and it showed 14.4. I checked parasitic draw, and there was very low amp draw like you have. I replaced the battery, next day I went to go to work and the battery was dead again! I took it to a repair shop: they charged the battery, checked the alternator voltage UNDER LOAD: in other words, turned on the lights, radio, heater: alternator voltage dropped to 12V, which would of course, kill the battery. Very strange problem to have, and I wouldn't have guessed it, but I'm in good working order now.

[@stephenfiore9960]

........ That's what Wal-Mart is telling me also. Similar problem as you described. They said a diode was bad in the alternator. Car ran fine after I jumped it even with seemly bad battery. I charged the battery with a 6 Amp charger for 8 hours and only got up to 33% Charge.

[@Ken-1]

Can you just use an amp clamp to measure current draw? Don't have an ammeter but have a cheap little scope with low current clamp

[@ScannerDanner]

as long as your amp clamp can accurately read into the milliamp range, then yes, this will work fine for you

[@filibertobarrera3839]

Yep I always charge them check the voltage while diconnected from car.If it shows 12 volts then after 5 hrs it reads 10 and after 5 hrs after that it shows 5. THEN YOUR BATTERY IS SHOT.

[@GTS-Tuning]

your brother seems cool

[@retroguitarmaster]

One time i remember diagnosing a car with a battery like that, that also had acid leakage on the top caps, and it had no parasitic draw neither, but it would discharge over a 10-12 hr period so i cleaned the top with water and soda and it wouldn't discharge anymore so i guess the acid leak was slowly causing a dead battery

[@jamesdanner7850]

I had a jaguar like that . put positive lead of my meter on batt + and just touched the top of the battery with negative lead... voltage increased the further I went toward negative post

[@ScannerDanner]

+James Danner hey bro. I'll have part 4 of our series up next week

[@jamesdanner7850]

Hey. U weren't supposed to reply to that post. I had a smart ass remark 4 you I think ,but I only watched the first half so far. got pulled away

[@retroguitarmaster]

James Danner i wonder what causes that small seepage through the caps, maybe heat cycles or something? i mean i don't see it with trunk mounted or under the seat batteries

[@intune99]

Danner in upstate new york !!! Utica says hello

[@ScannerDanner]

It's beautiful up there. I wish we got the same amount of snow here in Pittsburgh as you guys do

[@velocity550]

Does it have a hood light. You probably wouldn't see it working on it in the daylight with the hood open. Also, check the trunk light could be out of adjustment and staying on will run the battery down. When the battery is run completely dead, the cells become sulfated but deep cycle batteries can handle this, most ordinary car batteries cannot. Definitely needs a battery but not sure you have fixed the drain. I would like to hear if it is still going dead with a new battery.

[@TrooperLeary]

lol this guys a pro,not to mention an automotive teacher. He's using a labscope for parasitic draw test. pretty sure he's got all that covered. any idea what an oscilloscope is without Googling it?

[@stephenfiore9960]

........ An oscilloscope in this case could show voltage or Amperage wave forms over time and not just give a digital reading.

[@javaman2883]

@@stephenfiore9960 In the video he used the oscilloscope function on this Vantage Pro to show the voltage ripple in different time scales.

[@paymanghafoori]

Ah, no wonder the Danner bros are the best at diagnosis, smarts 🧠 run in the family.

[@ScannerDanner]

thanks man

[@deepsquat600]

LOL ,,Panama ..Ohio ..they are close to the same :)

[@ScannerDanner]

+deepsquat600 haha yep

[@upallnight888]

@1.83 volts that battery is DEAD. Probably has a dead cell. An alternator is not really made to charge a dead battery. Need to get another battery, there should still be a warranty on the battery. But your brother probably lost the receipt like the remote.

[@ScannerDanner]

+Upallnight exactly

[@andrewwmacfadyen6958]

+ScannerDanner A dead battery can be one of the hardest calls to make and be 100% sure it won't come back on you -- in this case a good call it was an ex-battery .....

[@javaman2883]

Many auto parts stores will honor the warranty without a receipt on their store brand based on the manufacture date sticker on the battery.

[@Banshee365]

Battery Tender JR! Saves my butt from buying batteries all the time with a vehicle that sits some.

[@richclean]

would the hood catch need locking before testing in the same way as the doors need closing 🤔

[@ScannerDanner]

On some cars absolutely. Not on this one

[@nestrac]

I had the same problem with my Hyundai... It is from 2003 and had 136000 km on the clock when I bought it a year ago.... I changed the battery early this week because it could not hold it's charge....

[@nonsense0233]

if what i hear at the cold start is the belt spining then i think thats the cause of the voltage bouncing at the begining

[@MitzvosGolem1]

check Mini fuse site for voltage drop across mini fuse with all power off. Will indicate which fuse has parasitic draw .Alternator diodes often leak draw down battery also.. Check output while at hot idle in drive with all accessories on full is better. PS have your PhD brother invented chemical which desulfates lead plates in battery.Shalom

[@JohnDoe-uq3mx]

This man knows too much about electrical. Drive past dealerships in the dead of winter, and you'll see alot of new cars' hoods popped and the techs charging the batt cells not to only keep them charged, but to mainly keep them from freezing over. I'm guessing that they do that once every week. An undercharged battery can damage its plates and destroy itself faster than anything else will.

[@jimyep9971]

What a small world i gew up in lorain ohio. moved from there in 80's.

[@ernestharris8274]

Y5tt%d==== 5

[@mph5896]

May want to put some fuel stabilizer in the tank as well if that car is driven so infrequently.

[@ScannerDanner]

+m ph for sure

[@electric8668]

Can you answer why a special charger is needed to charge AGM batteries even though they are charged in car by the same source that charges all types of batteries without issue? So why is a special charger needed?

[@wyattoneable]

Even on Easter you work to help out. That's cool, but i's family right?

[@code3responsevideos872]

I would love to see you working on a police car with a parasitic drain. With all those siren and lighting wires. They would get it back with nothing working! But also no parasitic drain!

[@ScannerDanner]

Lol no thank you

[@drwombat]

Danner for those of us who require an aftermarket alarm for door lock and primarily pressure sensitivity and must keep the unit connected how does one maintain a low amount of draw knowing the system will always consume more than 50mA?

[@Johnkb2059]

you get a battery with more Reserve capacity

[@ScannerDanner]

+drwombat make sure you drive it at least once a week or use a battery tender

[@drwombat]

both your son's seem very cool. Caleb seems like he's a bit more fun

[@ScannerDanner]

+drwombat haha I'll tell him you said that.

[@caesar4655]

Get sand paper n clean ur terminal and conectors to ur battery untill they are shiny,Basically i had problem, car wouldn't turn over, but had full power to head lights and dash illuminated with key on,turning key over,engine would click and like surge protector, everything ,dash and lights would shut off over n over and wouldnt fire, the car still had power to all electronics? sooo i pulled an cleaned up battery and connectors with sandpaper, lil time, luck ,n wall la, she fired right up, hope this helps,ps this was the first time i ever got lucky and didnt hav to spend 200 on battery or alternator yay me!

[@geraldmartin3625]

ScannerDanner What if the battery doesnt completely die. Mine drops to @ 12.3 and causes a no start. Of course the more I try to crank it the lower the battery gets and the parts store tested it as good. I tested for paracitic draw and got 20 milliamps at rest. Alternator was tested and seemed like it wasnt producing enough voltage at idle or under load so I loaded up the parts cannon. After 1 day of driving, same result, undercharged battery and a no start. All fuses tested good with a powerprobe. I want to test the battery cables to the starter and alternator for excessive resistance next and I think my voltage regulation in pcm controlled, 2005 ford escape 2.3. Any direction to try and isolate this issue would be appreciated.

[@ScannerDanner]

12.3 volts would not cause a no start. To be clear, is your car not cranking at all or is it cranking and not starting?

[@geraldmartin3625]

@@ScannerDanner After I charge the battery It will crank and start normally about 4-5 times and then all I get is dash lights and clicking.

[@dksob81]

it that hoodie he is wearing toward the end of the video from Grove City PA?

[@ScannerDannerPremium]

I'm sure it was. He want there before Penn State and Harvard

[@dksob81]

Haha thats like 30 minutes from me

[@djohnson002759]

Time to take Max to get a charger for the home games.

[@robertrukidding3055]

Did you do a voltage drop test on the battery cables? Couldn't high resistance be causing a charging issue?

[@ScannerDanner]

+robert rukidding no need to test the battery cables for a voltage drop with normal charging system voltage measured directly at the battery. When you need to do that would be when charging voltage is low at the battery and then normal at the alternator. Or when you have a starting system issue. (no crank)

[@robertrukidding3055]

+ScannerDanner I may have to respectfully disagree with you on this one. If you have a bad connection, voltage may still show okay at the battery, but it is at a compromised connection. In other words, the voltage may be fine but the current flow is impeded. Ditto on any voltage drop test. May look good in the milliamp scale, but appear questionable when more serious current is placed across it. Am I missing something?

[@robertrukidding3055]

+robert rukidding You weren't checking voltage and current flow....or were you/

[@ScannerDanner]

+robert rukidding technically no but with a completely dead battery you can be certain the alternator output was at its max, trying to maintain normal system voltage. This places a huge load on the alternator (which can damage the alternator) There was probably 40 to 50 amps (at least) of current traveling to the battery on those cables. With my reading at the battery posts of 14.5, this indicates the alternator and all related circuits (including battery cables) are working as designed. If there was resistance in the alt. heavy gauge, bat wire, this would have been the time that the voltage drop on the cable would be most evident. Low voltage at the battery is when further testing must be done.

[@robertrukidding3055]

+ScannerDanner I'm going to still disagree with you my friend. I would agree that the battery is seeing whatever voltage you are measuring. I would also agree that the alternator is potentially seeing max output. However, if a significant portion of this output is being converted to heat, none of the aforementioned matters. Rob

[@MadMaxWill]

I live just outside of Clinton, NY myself.. and my name is Max

[@zxtenn]

Paul- I have a 96 Grand Cherokee 5.2 for a bad weather/2nd vehicle with a 4 year old Optima red top and the battery was dead a few days ago so I brought the battery to get recharged and picked up this morning- I pulled out my multi-meter, I got .031 on 10 amp scale, that's acceptable right??? mili amp reading is same again .031 not .31 Thanks

[@ScannerDanner]

.031 would be fine, .31 would not be

[@zxtenn]

Right, just wanted to double check and thanks- I will replace battery

[@tocsa120ls]

That battery is gone-ski... sub 2V uncharged is waaay below the threshold voltage for sulfates to form on the plates. Your brother might actually try to buy a NOCO or CTEK intelligent charger and do a few cycles (intentionally leaving the lights on until the battery dips below 11V, charging up, then discharging again) BUT I think a new battery in this size (what is that tiny thing, 45Ah?) will be cheaper than buying a charger that has a regen feature. *EDIT* just watched the last 1min - yeah. Replace battery. Also checked Wallmart's catalogue, the cheapest battery they have in 45Ah is a cool $100...

[@ScannerDanner]

+tocsa120ls agree and we talked about a trickle charger off camera

[@scottfirman]

As soon as I got our 2015 Subaru Outback, I had to replace the undersized battery. Someone had replaced it with another battery of the same rating which was determined to be under rated for that vehicle. We have had no issues with the larger CCA battery. Subaru knew it was the wrong size battery. Rather than argue with those ass hats, I went to our local grocery store that sells batterys( not WALMART) that has a three year warrenty. When you have to argue with a dealer over something as simple as a battery, its just not worth it. Especially when the manufacturer knew that battery was the wrong one for that car. All 2015's had the same issue.

[@tnamen1307]

Sir, my car battery 45ah battery of fully charged 12.60 volt drops to 12.40 volt in just 2 days Is this drop too high or normal?

[@whichdoctor4858]

Thang Tons too much.

[@garyjones7044]

That battery is history, sitting at that low of a charge will cause stratification which is ireversable no matter what voodoo magic or gadget you've seen on KZbin even if you can get it to accept a charge it will be at a much lower capacity, if you're going to let it sit for long periods especially in could weather put it on a smart trickle charger.

[@martinparker6536]

The Immobilizer will cause a small drain too

[@gabinosolis2945]

I have a Cadillac devalle 03 same problems idk what keeps draining my battery any help ??

[@angelisone]

ATG & I suggest doing this if you don't have a DVM or know how to do this test. 1. Days that your don't need car (2 or more), disconnect Alternator 2. Disconnect Starter 3. If you have aftermarket radio/amp, disconnect those 4. If you are able to start the car with those removed, then you found it FIY: If battery is over 3 years old & you run less than 25 miles/day = replaced battery

[@rogerspinks8466]

Can you use a test light for this

[@ScannerDanner]

absolutely not

[@Y10Q]

I had a Taurus that did this, but it would drain overnight. And it would get "fiixed" and the problem returned every month. It's like as soon as i would walk into the house and left the car off, every single gadget would get turned on by a ghost and in the morning the car would be completely dead. The worst issue you can have with a car. That and it would randomly not want to start, whenever it wanted. Probably some kind of sensor, but I didn't know that then. That was 20 years ago.

[@jbone2470]

Had same thing in my Ford Escape. Battery dead overnight and sometimes after I shut it off I come out 10 min later and radio and interior lights be on. Ended up being the accessory switch relay on inside fuse panel near kick panel that got water or moisture in it and corroded the relay useless at times. Replaced it new and fixed the problem

[@stephenfiore9960]

....... My Taurus brake light used to stay on sometimes even after you turned the car off. I think it was a problem with a switch by the brake pedal.

[@johnmckamy6398]

I get nothing on the amps setting but if I put it on voltage I read battery voltage when I have it hooked up like you do . does this mean I have a big short or is this normal ?

[@ScannerDanner]

It is becoming more and more difficult to answer questions here. I have 80,000 people asking me for help now. So I have created a forum to help you guys better. It is free to join and we can exchange pictures, wiring diagrams and waveforms if needed to help guide you through the process of troubleshooting your vehicle. Thank you so much! Hope to see you there. Paul Danner (ScannerDanner) www.scannerdanner.com/forum/post-your-repair-questions-here.html

[@untraditionalministries4588]

John McKamy normal

[@johnmckamy6398]

yeah I checked my other car and it was normal , it was my meter that wasn't working so I got another one and it has 3.52 amps while all the inside lights are on and when they time out it goes down to basically 0. thanks for the comment Aaron I know that scan man is busy.

[@untraditionalministries4588]

No prob

[@realjiver2]

Tests showed nothing wron BUT Amp Clamp showed battery drain 0.34 amps back through alternator. Changed rectifier and no more drain.

[@gearwrench877]

Danner i saw you put the neg on first then the positive to jump, is that an old habit or ?

[@ScannerDanner]

Not at all. In fact it should be done the other way around. My jump pack, it doesn't matter because it's not "hot" until I hit a button

[@deanyaddow7056]

Gear Wrench87 m

[@deanyaddow7056]

I

[@javaman2883]

I dislike when manufacturers put the alternator right by the exhaust. The alternator fan pulls air from its back, so it's using exhaust heated air to cool itself.

[@MOONSHADOW-jx2tw]

Mine kept going dead . I had to clean the throttle body to get the RPMs up a tiny bit . Enough to excite the alternator to go into charge problem solved. After 2 weeks of bs

[@ScannerDanner]

I have a video on that!