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Battery draw

Tiny
IANOT56
  • MEMBER
  • 2008 FORD FOCUS
  • 2.5L
  • 5 CYL
  • 2WD
  • MANUAL
  • 65,000 MILES
Hello, at the below link, you advise - how best to 'fix a battery draw'.

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

On 'Step 5' - you say :
-Then take you voltmeter and set it on the DC amp scale.
-Then attach the red lead to the battery post, negative. -Take the black lead and attach it to the battery cable.
-Use a small jumper wire along side of the voltmeter and wait for 15 minutes to allow the modules to go to sleep.
-Then remove the small jumper wire leaving just the voltmeter. Then look at your reading, it should be about 50 to 75 milliamps.

Just to check with you, when you say 'Use a small jumper wire along side of the voltmeter ' (and wait 15 minutes - then remove it- leaving just the voltmeter)
Do you mean exactly like in the diagram that I have attached to this message? (see image)

Thank you in advance.
Regards,
Ian
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Tuesday, April 7th, 2020 AT 2:45 AM

17 Replies

Tiny
ASEMASTER6371
  • MECHANIC
  • 52,797 POSTS
Good morning.

You do not have to use the jumper wire at all. Just hook it up as stated and let it sit 15 minutes to allow the modules to go to sleep. It usually takes about 15 minutes of inactivity before they will go inactive.

Then you should have 50 to 75 milli amps.

Roy
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Tuesday, April 7th, 2020 AT 3:45 AM
Tiny
IANOT56
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Thanks Roy.

I wonder will having the bonnet up prevent it from sleeping? Would I need to the bonnet latch trick of nipple pressed down and bonnet latch closed over, using a screwdriver?
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Tuesday, April 7th, 2020 AT 6:07 AM
Tiny
ASEMASTER6371
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Yes, take the bulb out of the light.

Roy
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Tuesday, April 7th, 2020 AT 6:08 AM
Tiny
IANOT56
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Just to fill you in. I have a problem with the car listed above ST model. I have a battery drain that within 5-6 days of being parked up the battery goes so flat that I cannot unlock the car with the fob and press start to start the engine. I have to use the physical key and get in that way. Or use the same key open the bonet and charge/replace the battery. I recently bought a new Bosch S7 Battery, but same again within 5-6 days drained. Strangely when I bought the car second hand it too drained the battery. And that was with the factory Ford 6000CD head unit. Since then I have bought a Sony stereo with the required plug n play ISO harness and still get the drain. I suspect, that on the factory stereo loom, there's a perm live which is draining any stereo attached. So my plan is to disconnect the stereo totally and take a reading of the pins on the harness/loom, with no power and see it I get a 12v feed. :-) I also read it can be the Bluetooth module behind the glove box that takes a draw/drains battery. So will need to drop the glove box and unplug the Bluetooth module. Phew !
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Tuesday, April 7th, 2020 AT 6:14 AM
Tiny
IANOT56
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Are you talking about the interior light when you say 'take the bulb out'?
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Tuesday, April 7th, 2020 AT 6:17 AM
Tiny
ASEMASTER6371
  • MECHANIC
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Before doing all that, I would do the draw test and see how much current is being pulled.

If it is greater than 50-75 milli amps, then pull the fuses one by one until the draw drops to normal. Then you have narrowed it down to the circuit.

Let me know the fuse number and I can get you the components that fuse controls.

Roy
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Tuesday, April 7th, 2020 AT 6:17 AM
Tiny
ASEMASTER6371
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You mentioned the hood would be up. There is a light under the hood. Remove the bulb so it does not effect your testing with the draw.

Roy
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Tuesday, April 7th, 2020 AT 6:19 AM
Tiny
IANOT56
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Will do. I plan to do the draw test possibly on Friday (weather permitting). I will let you know what draw value I get to begin with.
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Tuesday, April 7th, 2020 AT 6:19 AM
Tiny
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Sounds like a plan.

Keep us updated.

Roy
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Tuesday, April 7th, 2020 AT 6:20 AM
Tiny
IANOT56
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Hi Roy, on the USA spec Ford Focus ST there might be a bulb under the hood, but on a UK spec Focus ST (2008) there's no light under the hood. :-)
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Tuesday, April 7th, 2020 AT 6:21 AM
Tiny
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Okay, did I misunderstand? I thought the bonnet was the hood?

Roy
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Tuesday, April 7th, 2020 AT 6:25 AM
Tiny
IANOT56
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You are right, the bonnet is the hood. But with the hood (bonnet) open/up there's no light under/on the bonnet/hood itself.
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Tuesday, April 7th, 2020 AT 6:38 AM
Tiny
ASEMASTER6371
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Okay, then you are good. It will not cause anything to come on.

Roy
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Tuesday, April 7th, 2020 AT 6:40 AM
Tiny
IANOT56
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Part of me is puzzled as to why the factory stereo harness might be causing a drain. I read on internet where one blue colored cable carrying 12 volts can be the culprit. Maybe before they sold on the car they had a different stereo in place and just slotted in and connected up a Ford 600CD unit when selling it on. I know there is 2 feeds on the harness a perm 12 volt always on (yellow) and a ignition switch one (red). I assume the unit, can be installed up to use just the ignition switch power feed?
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Tuesday, April 7th, 2020 AT 7:06 AM
Tiny
ASEMASTER6371
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Please do not jump ahead.

Do not assume anything until you have confirmed the draw source. Do the testing first.

Roy
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Tuesday, April 7th, 2020 AT 7:10 AM
Tiny
IANOT56
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Okay, I will let you know on Friday how I get on. Thanks Roy!
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Tuesday, April 7th, 2020 AT 7:16 AM
Tiny
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You are welcome.

Always glad to help.

Keep us updated.

Roy
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Tuesday, April 7th, 2020 AT 7:17 AM

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