Bad Battery? Bad Alternator? Or Parasitic Drain? Let's Find Out! -Jonny DIY

Car Won't Start or Battery Keeps Draining? Battery, Alternator & Parsitic Drain Test. As well as How To Properly Charge your Car Battery.
TOOLS & SUPPLIES & DONATION LINKS
Battery & Alternator Tester TOPDON BT100- amzn.to/3odApq7
10% COUPON- MICHCIWM IF PROBLEM, LET KNOW WILL TRY GET NEW 1
Battery Charger- amzn.to/3uj87LV
Multimeter- amzn.to/3icLKD2
Alligator Clips for Multimeter- amzn.to/2WlPCtM
Tool Set- amzn.to/3epVN4X
Safety Glasses- amzn.to/2ez41Jw​
Magnetic Work Light- amzn.to/33tk6tp​
If you Enjoy the Channel Consider Helping Support it by Donating below & by Subscribing.
PAYPAL DONATION www.paypal.me/JonnyDIY
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Thank You for watching, Subscribe & Click BELL Icon To Enable Notifications for NEW Upcoming Videos, Give a Thumbs up, Leave a Comment or Question, & Share, I'd appreciate it tremendously! :) Remember to Keep on, Doin it Yourself!

[@JonnyDIY]

*TOOLS & SUPPLIES & DONATION LINKS* Battery & Alternator Tester TOPDON BT100- amzn.to/3odApq7 10% COUPON- MICHCIWM IF PROBLEM, LET KNOW WILL TRY GET NEW 1 Battery Charger- amzn.to/3uj87LV Multimeter- amzn.to/3icLKD2 Alligator Clips for Multimeter- amzn.to/2WlPCtM Tool Set- amzn.to/3epVN4X Safety Glasses- amzn.to/2ez41Jw​ Magnetic Work Light- amzn.to/33tk6tp​ *If you Enjoy the Channel Consider Helping Support it by Donating below & by Subscribing.* *PAYPAL DONATION* www.paypal.me/JonnyDIY *Zelle Donation* [e-mail] *Venmo Donation* [e-mail] Thank You for watching, Subscribe & Click BELL Icon To Enable Notifications for NEW Upcoming Videos, Give a Thumbs up, Leave a Comment or Question, & Share, I'd appreciate it tremendously! :) Remember to Keep on, Doin it Yourself!

[@larrycroft470]

Jonny so glad to see your channel has exploded with subs in the past year or 2!!! You always have such interesting videos brother!!! It has been quite a while since i commented so congratulations on your success!!

[@JonnyDIY]

Thanks so much Larry! I've shot a lot of videos recently & I'm still trying to go through & edit them all.

[@dinhhoangtu311]

Good video. Informative and helpful. Thanks!

[@JonnyDIY]

You're very welcome, happy to help. And thank you! 🙌👍

[@robertwarrenburg2971]

Thanks! Good info and commentary, helped me out!🤠👍

[@JonnyDIY]

You're very welcome, happy I could help! 👍

[@anthonytrodriguez7166]

Nicely explained and step by steps thx

[@JonnyDIY]

You're welcome, happy to help 👍

[@Eazykilldavis]

If you are checking fuses inside, place your meter face down on your windshield. So you can see it and not have to get out to look

[@derrickforeal]

Wow your model hand movements are in point. Another slightly man adopting the younger generations style.

[@JonnyDIY]

Thank you 👍

[@markdudley5656]

With bad diodes, an alternator can drain a battery with the engine shut off, too. Even if it charges with the right voltage while it’s running.

[@user-tj3gm4uq4w]

What are diodes

[@Tiger-cy3fv]

@@user-tj3gm4uq4w I think he is takinkg about Idle issue, (I think typo error)

[@8216.]

My alternator was charging while engine was running, but when shut off it draining about 1.5 amps, I tried to take it apart and only change the electronic parts but could not take it apart, so I brought ine from Junkyard, and it work fine, only drawing .005 of amps when engine shut off which is normal.

[@dev-debug]

@@user-tj3gm4uq4w An alternator creates AC voltage so diodes are used in a bridge rectifier configuration to convert the AC to DC output. A diode when working properly only passes current in one direction. If even just one shorts in the alternator your battery will drain because the battery will be energizing a coil in the alternator causing. There are a minium of 4 diodes in an alternator, some may have 6. They are easy to test using an ohm meter.

[@zahariastoianovici8590]

Very helpful, thank you

[@JonnyDIY]

You're welcome, happy I could help you out 🙌👍

[@MainADMlN]

I'd just go head and cough up 50 bucks for a battery/alternator/starter tester. That's a great tool.

[@JonnyDIY]

Yeah I love that little one I got from Topdon, I've used it a lot since making this video on some friends cars

[@cdcVintage]

I fixed my dishwasher last week. Wasn't powering on due to a bad toggle switch on the latch. I replaced one of the switches 12 years ago. Finally the other failed. Easy peasy!

[@JonnyDIY]

Awesome, always love it when it things turn out to be an easy fix. So many people throw things out that may just need a lil bit of tlc to fix and get it going again 👍

[@DJV94022]

Next time dont call an a/c man you can do it too

[@alfonsogobaleza7968]

Nice video. Question how do you recharge the battery of 2016 dodge journey without taking it off.

[@JonnyDIY]

You can charge battery in vehicle, just do the same as I showed with battery charger. Red to positive and black to negative and double check settings if there are on your charger then plug in 👍 you dont need to disconnect any cables either just connect right to battery posts/terminals

[@chidiobasi7898]

Nice one boss

[@JonnyDIY]

Thanks 🙌

[@katea4636]

Exactly what I needed to investigate a parasitic draw on my battery, thank you! But what I REALLY need to know now that I've watched, is where you got the "hand" in your console!!? That thing is AWESOME, and it's (oddly 🙂) not included in your links! I need one! Thanks....

[@JonnyDIY]

You're welcome, happy I could help. Lol that 🖐 hand is a old halloween prop I've had in my different car for yearrrs. I always put it coming out of the dash somewhere. It's startled a lot of people 😆 looks like I found a very similar one amzn.to/3QzfqMI

[@katea4636]

@@JonnyDIY excellent, thank you! (I thought it was a true cord holder, and all I was finding were the tiny little "clutching" variety). Love this! Have a great day!

[@JonnyDIY]

@@katea4636you're very welcome 👍

[@tinaoakley233]

Why not charge while battery is in jeep?

[@NewLife4GVN]

That hand in your car freaked me out. 😂

[@JonnyDIY]

🤣 lol had a friend get in my truck a few months back and jumped out of his skin when he saw it 😆💕👍

[@surebet146]

I have a Lexus IS250 2012, have recently experienced starting issues, cannot charge battery in the car, on previous cars, I would just take battery out and charge from indoor power socket. I notice you removed the battery from car to charge, my question is I've heard so many dealership mechanics saying I could screw up the electronics in the car by removing it overnight to charge the battery. Is this just scare tactics on their part or is this correct? Excellent video by the way, well done you.

[@JonnyDIY]

On some newer cars it's better to charge battery without disconnecting from car because of some electronics, I'm not sure if 2012 is a problem. May be worth reading on Facebook groups or forums. I would charge in vehicle if have option. May want to go take it to have battery tested may need replacing

[@coreybailey4173]

I have a 1992 S10 pickup truck with a 355 V8 and turbo 350 transmission behind it from a 1985 C10 pickup truck when I turn my blower motor on high for the heat it drains bad and I think it's a resistor because it only has high speed the other speeds can that drain the battery while you're going down the road the alternators brand new to the truck it's a custom so it's a little bit bigger than normal amperage it's a 160 amps and the battery is 3 years old with 800 cold cranking amps and 1000 hot cranking amps let me know what you think I appreciate it

[@JonnyDIY]

Yes it sounds like the resistor as you suspected. I would start there. Hopefully it's just that 🤞👍

[@2Jeezuzisreal]

Sucks. My 05 Yukon parasitic draw wasting my time I've had numerous electrical problems with Chevy vans. Wasted a whole day going to the junkyard to get a used radio because my old one was set at 12:00 every morning I thought that was it. Then I heard that it would be the ignition switch but that wasn't it.

[@JonnyDIY]

Electrical can be the biggest nightmare sometimes

[@markcodysr]

Taking that battery out really winded you Bro!

[@JonnyDIY]

🤣 that sucker's heavy and since in high truck was a workout for me while holding camera lol 🚫💪

[@gerardsagliocca6292]

Can u use a Clamp meter to measure current draw on negative cable ?

[@JonnyDIY]

Yes a 12v clamp meter will work too. I only had a 110v one on hand. I should have mentioned though 👍

[@curtthompson2787]

12.2 - 12.3 is not bad and I've had new batteries around that. Its fine. Also, battery drain from sitting on the floor is a myth, especially for that short of time. How are you going to lose charge through a plastic case?

[@JonnyDIY]

I think I ended up replacing that battery as it wouldnt hold a charge for very long. New one works fine. Yeah thats an old myth from way back when batteries used to have wooden cases. My Daddy taught me not to put on concrete and one of those things I cant forget 🤣🤦‍♂️ he mustve learned from his father who was a race car driver & mechanic and passed to me

[@chidiobasi7898]

Can I ask questions

[@iosonoi.7132]

Here’s my dumb question can you use any voltage tool for this? I got $20 one from Home Depot to check my dishwasher a couple months back. Could I use that or are there special considerations while doing this on a car that require me to a better/specific tool?

[@JonnyDIY]

It should work as long as it has a volts setting 👍

[@SaltySilverStacker]

Everstart batteries are usually die right on with their warranty. I’ve been fortunate to have had mine die a few months before the warranty. I just take it to Walmart for free replacement. I’m on my 3rd battery without paying for one in 8 years.

[@JonnyDIY]

Wow nice! Yeah last time I got one there they said they're getting them from a different supplier now and the guy said they're even worse now! 😂🤦‍♂️ but whatever, I'll wait til bad then go back to Autozone batteries. Autozone will match the walmart battery price so it's not bad and they seem to last pretty well in my experiences

[@SaltySilverStacker]

@@JonnyDIY thanks for the information!

[@ezyjack826]

have to replace the bolt on my battery terminal. what kind of bolt should I use?

[@JonnyDIY]

Any steel bolt will do, but I usually just pick up specific battery terminal bolts at local auto or hardware store 👍

[@LubaLuba1]

What I have red and brown when I take a meter to it to check voltage I zero on one and 12.5 v on other, red field to negative on battery and brown field to positive on battery. I was thinking of attaching voltage regulator kit to is this possible on 2011 Town and Country?

[@JonnyDIY]

What symptoms are you having?

[@LubaLuba1]

@@JonnyDIY one day it stalled out and won't turn on, replace battery and it did it again so change alternator and checked it was charging but all I got was battery reading 12.5v. then I pulled field wires connection from alternator and check it with meter and got 12.5v from one of the wires and nothing on the other. Thats where I am now. I really need this car to work, and I appreciate your help.

[@Tiger-cy3fv]

without start car Battery voltage 12V, after start car battery voltage 13,, just add new battery then idle issue and now car parts guy told me charging system fail, some one told me idle issue make this problem (not to chare battery and no battery ligh at all so still consider alternator?) please advice. appriciate your help

[@JonnyDIY]

Your battery voltage should be running 13.5 to 15v with engine running. If not I would check alternator 1st 👍

[@clintonscholtz8182]

A multi meter has a % accuracy ready %5 %3 -%3... that's why you get a different reading. You add say 5% if your ones book days its 5%

[@Olds_Pwr]

Please explain how that plastic case battery will discharge through concrete when charging it.

[@JonnyDIY]

Lol it won't unless case was damaged. It's just an old habit from days of old when batteries used to drain from case

[@Powerhouse_Racing]

I was thinking the same thing, it is a complete misconception. This was from back in the days when batteries were made of wood or hard plastic, the wood would absorb moisture from the concrete and the hard plastic cases would crack when exposed to moisture from the concrete. The new polycarbonate battery cases would never be affected. Plus discharging through the concrete is ridiculous. 😂

[@JonnyDIY]

@@Powerhouse_Racing yup it's from days of old, old habits die hard as they say 😆

[@brucechavis5305]

The battery on the concrete is a old myth from the wooden batteries. New batteries in a plastic case will not drain on the ground or on concrete…. I learned that at UTI

[@JonnyDIY]

Thanks for sharing. Yes my Dad taught me that and he'd probably learned from his Dad when they were actually wooden. I'll let him know we don't have to do that anymore 😆👍

[@adolg4049]

Why my multimetter read 1 when i put at 20v and at 200v read fine

[@JonnyDIY]

Make sure leads plugged into right terminals maybe 🤔

[@trendypackz3734]

Why it first look like someone was laying on the floor holding your charger 😂

[@JonnyDIY]

Lol was probably me 🤣

[@kallachnadra]

Can't you check voltage at cigarette lighter to give you alternator voltage ?

[@JonnyDIY]

Yes they sell little ones you plug into lighter socket like this 👍 amzn.to/49fCKp5

[@kallachnadra]

@@JonnyDIY yes..i use that

[@myviews469]

Town and Country turned still can't get it to charge change battery and alternator twice and alternator just won't charge. I installed voltage regulator kit and still not charging. I can't believe two new alternators could be bad. I can't figure this one out

[@JonnyDIY]

Have you tested the voltage output with the new alternators? Still low?

[@myviews469]

@@JonnyDIY are you referring to the two wire connection behind alternator? or the power wire going to charge battery?

[@JonnyDIY]

@@myviews469 I would check battery voltage with car running to see if alternator is putting out. If not check voltage leaving alternator to see if something wrong between two

[@myviews469]

ok so I connected the power from a good fuse to alternator ( field, signal ) wire connection and another one which I use to tap the negative side of battery but only while the meter was connected, and car was running what I got was the voltage of the battery 12.3V even as I touched ground wire from alternator it did not increase voltage. now if the alternator is fried I only had on for seconds and never smelled or hear or saw any smoke or do anything wrong. When I look at the specks of the alternator says voltage regulator is external

[@princeerick11]

Take Me For A Ride

[@danschenck9442]

why not just disconnect the negative terminal,, then check fuses to se which one has power going to it,,, find that fuse ,,there is parasictic drain problem

[@JonnyDIY]

Yes you can use a test light to check fuses for any power

[@user-ux2wy7vu8v]

Please tell me the riyte size of this car

[@JonnyDIY]

For battery? I think was 27F

[@gunwrites6222]

Do yourself a lifetime favor, buy a good Fluke meter.

[@JonnyDIY]

😆 yes I need one for sure! Thank you. I've been borrowing my neighbors now, he's an electrician.

[@motologist1917]

brother i have ford fiesta mk6 1.4 tdci my problem is that whenever i start the car battery warning light comes on the dash but if i fully press the throttle all the way to 5k rpm it starts charging and light goes offf , plz help me to solve this issue . this problem started when i removed the battery

[@JonnyDIY]

I would start by checking voltage of battery and alternator. Make sure alternator actually putting out the voltage. Then Id put a scan tool on it, sometimes cars can go a lil funny after disconnecting battery. Some local auto stores will scan for free like Oreillys Autozone.

[@motologist1917]

@@JonnyDIY brother actually i m from india here the mechanics r totally illtrate they dont even know how to use a multimeter , just just know how to replace parts & fetch money

[@JonnyDIY]

@@motologist1917 Bummer, hope you can get it figured out. I'd start with a multimeter for sure though

[@motologist1917]

@@JonnyDIY btw voltage is 14.2 while charging when i revvvv

[@JonnyDIY]

@@motologist1917 that sounds good for alternator. Seems like something in computer may have tripped when changing battery, does it still drive ok? Id drive if so and see if computer just needs to relearn a base line and go through all the system checks

[@1961Marat]

too much of a hassle. just go to any auto part shop they will check everything for you for free.

[@JonnyDIY]

Yes I believe I mentioned that if you don't possess the tools or interest in learning to do yourself 👍 Auto store won't find battery drains though

[@dons1264]

Good video, but couldn’t you have just found the draw?

[@DJV94022]

Concrete thang is a myth not true with 2010+ batteries

[@JonnyDIY]

Thanks, it used to be more true before the casings were hard plastic. Old habits die hard 😆

[@TapelessDrywallFinishing]

👍👍👍👍

[@glennjohnson8123]

you never want to lay a battery on concrete

[@JonnyDIY]

That's what I was always taught, but apparently now with plastic casing it doesn't matter 🤷‍♂️

[@zukewashere1539]

Too many if's

[@edwardbell3823]

Voltage -0.08

[@JonnyDIY]

Borderline high voltage drop

[@rogergorden9023]

Good grief… put your hands in your pockets!

[@JonnyDIY]

🤣💕👍 then the viewers stop watching cause they get bored. Maybe I'll split the difference 😆

[@404notfound.....]

Stop! I see the problem already, it's a Walmart never start battery. 😊

[@JonnyDIY]

😂 I usually get them at Autozone, but I thought they had the same manufacturer. Last time I was at Walmart for a battery though they said they got a new supplier now though. I'll have to check who makes them now. Think used to be Johnson controls now maybe Exide

[@overnightdelivery]

NeverStart 😅

[@Eazykilldavis]

I think you have a battery problem

[@thomaslaster997]

Stop shaking your hand it’s not good

[@JonnyDIY]

😆 ok, just for you

[@Tiger-cy3fv]

to do test $60 battery tester? lol,,, there are 1000s of video to check without tester,, no thank you for your

[@brianwalker1933]

Good video but please stop waving your hand in the video, as its most annoying.

[@JonnyDIY]

Thank you, happy to help 👍

[@zackaboy1236]

🤣

[@zackaboy1236]

Best comment

[@urwhytefrightisurproblem8018]

Or you can make your own video with stilled hands

[@treeroofgrass]

like ChrisFix 😂

[@gunpowderjesus]

this commentary is like nails on a chalk board. try nd cut some dialog....

[@JonnyDIY]

It's not meant to be a short video. I tried to only leave helpful info covering the multiple possibilities. Hoping one area may help someone.