Q: Something is draining the battery.

asked by on January 14, 2016

Something is draining my car battery when the car is off.

Battery will not hold a charge Inspection $94.99 - $114.99 Get a Quote

I would look inside the car for an interior light that is coming on first. Usually a glove box light or a trunk light that is staying on when the car is off. If it’s not a light then a technician can come perform a parasitic drain test on the car where they connect an amp meter to the battery and remove fuses until the drain stops. Sometimes wires going to the trunk or doors can short out causing a drain.

The statements expressed above are only for informational purposes and should be independently verified. Please see our terms of service for more details

Get an instant quote for your car

Our certified mechanics come to you ・Backed by 12-month, 12,000-mile guarantee・Fair and transparent pricing


Experienced Mechanic?

Earn up to $70/hr

What others are asking

How does traction control help me maintain control of my car?
Introduced back in 1987 but required since 2012, traction control (https://www.yourmechanic.com/services/traction-control-module-replacement) is a great standard feature found on almost all modern vehicles. Traction control utilizes the anti-lock braking system (https://www.yourmechanic.com/article/5-essential-things-to-know-about-your-car-s-anti-lock-braking-system-abs) (ABS) and the vehicle’s throttle, for vehicles that are equipped...
Car won't crank. I think its the timimg belt
Hey there. I'm a little confused by your issue. If your car's engine won't crank over, it typically is related to the starter motor or ignition system. A broken timing belt (https://www.yourmechanic.com/article/symptoms-of-a-bad-or-failing-timing-belt) will prohibit the motor from spinning over, but...
Belt noises pulley wobbles
Hey there, thanks for writing in about your 2005 Pontiac GTO. Worn idler pulleys (https://www.yourmechanic.com/services/idler-pulley-replacement) or accessory components along the belt drive system may make noise as a sign the bearings are failing (https://www.yourmechanic.com/services/wheel-bearings-replacement). As far as the brands, stick...
My radiator blew and overheated my van
You may have damaged the engine from continuing to drive it with it overheating. Specifically, you may have warped cylinder heads, cracked the cylinder heads, or pistons seizing in the cylinders causing a slower acting engine. The engine might start...
What motor oil do you recommend 5w30 or 10w30?
Hey there. Your 190E holds 5.3 quarts or 5 liters. The weight of oil is determined by the average temperature (https://www.yourmechanic.com/article/do-i-need-to-change-my-motor-oil-for-hot-or-cold-weather) of the climate you live in. If the temperature is above 70 degrees Fahrenheit, I would go with the...
Can I get my oil changed by another oil change location other than the dealer?
Absolutely. You do not need to go to the dealer for most services other than possibly some types of repairs to the computer or factory theft control devices for your vehicle. You could have your vehicle's oil (https://www.yourmechanic.com/article/when-should-i-change-my-oil) changed elsewhere,...
Bought a car with 3 month warranty thank god. Day after Check Engine light came on. Brought it back to dealer. 2007 VW Jetta
Hi there - yes, smart and fortunate of you to get a warranty! And in this case, it appears the dealer has "done the right thing" and repaired the issue. It does not necessarily mean there is an on-going problem...
What are the normal operating temp ranges for the 2015 Chrysler 200 2.4 engine and transmission?
Hi Mr. T. Thanks for contacting us today. 230 degrees is on the upper threshold of normal operating temperature for the 2.4-liter Chrysler 200 engine. In most cases, the radiator fan will kick on around 200 and can increase temperature...
What can cause a car to stop moving besides the transmission?
If the vehicle sounded like it was in neutral and not moving while in gear, this is quite likely related to a transmission issue, which may be any number of things. This may indicate a failing speed sensor (https://www.yourmechanic.com/services/transmission-speed-sensor-replacement). The...

Related articles

How Long Does a Car Battery Last?
The life of your car battery depends on how long it can hold its charge, and is capable of being recharged. Once it can’t...
How to Buy a Good Quality GPS
Even Even if you have a smart phone, there are still reasons to invest in a standalone global positioning system (GPS) navigator for your car. Once a destination is entered, the super easy turn-by-turn navigation allows you to see your...
The 5 Safest Used Cars You Can Buy For Under $20,000
The Subaru Legacy, Honda Accord, Ford Fusion, Chevy Volt, and the Volvo XC60 are five of the overall safest used cars you can buy for under $20,000.