New day new problem

Went to start my car yesterday and the battery was dead. Battery is 2 months old. Got it charged up and car started up fine. Didn't drive it but went to start it today and the battery was dead again. I installed a new heater and gauges about a month ago and haven't had a problem. How can I track the source of my power drain? Thanks...

 

I usualy hook my meter inline with the negative post of the battery, and the ground cable, with it set to amps. Then I start pulling fuses till the amp draw drops, that cuts the search down.

 

what if any aftermarket eletronics do you have in your car?

 

I have a vintage air heater a tape player and some guages. The gauges and heater are 2 months old. Just not sure why it would just start all of the sudden.

 

Got to be careful with the meter in line. If there is much of an amp draw it will blow the internal fuse or the meter itself. I use it like that if when I just touch the cable to the battery and there is not a large spark. You can also use a light bulb with jumpers inline. The brighter it glows the more draw. The just unplug fuses until you find the one that shuts off the light. With new stereos you'll always have some amp draw with the clock and 12volt constant to keep the channels stored in the stereo.
clint

 

There is also a possibility that the battery has a weak/bad cell. It's a rare occassion but a possibility. I wud take it back and have them do a test for that B4 going thru the amp test. JMO

 

Fun trick to impress your friends: take one meter lead to a battery post, then place the other somewhere in the area of the other post. If you have a voltage reading then clean the battery

 

A bad diode in the alternator will cause your battery to drain as will any other draw. Use a 12 v light connected between the disconnected negative post and cable. then remove fuses if the light is still lit after all the fuses are out then disconnect the battery wire at the alternator. when the light goes out you have found your problem. Be sure to repeat the process after you repair the problem in case you have multiple problems.

 

Tracked the problen to the voltage regulator. Replace and on to the next issue. Thnaks for the replies.

 

can also check the water in the battery...i jumped started my car, drove it out to the street, an next thing i know, it wouldnt start. Checked the water level just for the heck of it and it was gone.