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Battery drains

Tiny
NUNOCHEESE
  • MEMBER
  • 2011 CHEVROLET MALIBU
  • 2.4L
  • 4 CYL
  • 2WD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 157,000 MILES
Battery drained on car. Replaced starter, battery, and alternator. And the car drained battery again. Replaced both terminals. Looked for ground wires throughout the car body and cleaned. Now battery is drained problem hasn't fixed. I am trying to look for ground strap and I need help.
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Monday, June 13th, 2022 AT 6:14 PM

3 Replies

Tiny
SQM
  • MECHANIC
  • 6,383 POSTS
Hello,

Just to clarify, when does the battery get discharged? Is it when it is left overnight?
Or does it discharge while the engine is running?

If it loses charge while sitting, then it has an excessive parasitic draw or current drain. All circuits with a battery will have some amount of parasitic draw, but it can become excessive due to any number of faulty components. Like shorted window switch, or a glove box light staying on etc.

You will have to use a multimeter to check for the parasitic draw. This vehicle should have less than 30 milliamps of parasitic draw when everything is off.

Here is a helpful video of how to check and find what is causing the draw:

https://youtu.be/z5F7WpgjaRs

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/car-battery-dead-overnight

Let me know of any questions.
Thank you.
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Monday, June 13th, 2022 AT 8:20 PM
Tiny
NUNOCHEESE
  • MEMBER
  • 2 POSTS
It seems to drain while the vehicle is running. I checked voltage with a multimeter and started going down. When I turn on the lights, A/C, and the radio voltage doesn't go up. I cleaned most negative points throughout the engine body. I also checked all relays and fuses. I was trying to locate a ground strap, but cannot find it.
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Monday, June 13th, 2022 AT 9:13 PM
Tiny
SQM
  • MECHANIC
  • 6,383 POSTS
What is the voltage you are getting when the engine is running?
What is the voltage output at the alternator? And what is the output at the battery?

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/how-to-check-a-car-alternator
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Monday, June 13th, 2022 AT 10:26 PM

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