Mazda 323,Mazda 626 & Mazda 929 Whether the compact 323, the mid sized 626, or the full sized 929, these vehicles remain very popular even though production has stopped.

Battery drain

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Old Jun 15, 2006 | 05:53 PM
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ripcbx's Avatar
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Default Battery drain

I have a battery drain?If I let it sit more than a day my battery is dead.Whats the best way to trace it down?
 
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Old Jun 15, 2006 | 07:19 PM
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Default RE: Battery drain

do you know how to use a dmm? you can take parasitic current draw measurements. hook up your dmm set for amps dc, insert it in series between the negative battery post and cable. you need to make sure your doors are closed, lights are off, because their current draw will blow the meters fuse. start off on the 10 amp scale and drop down to the 200 milliamp scale once you've proven the current draw is less than 200 milliamps so you dont blow the fuse, and this lower scale will provide a more accurate reading. parasitic current is the current drain on the battery when the engine is off. it is created by the vehicles computer, clock, alarm systems, etc. once you have hooked up the dmm take note of the current measurement. leave the dmm hooked up long enough for the vehicles computer to shut off. i believe a half hour is sufficient for your vehicle. again take note of the current measurement. i'm not sure what the parasitic current draw should be for your vehicle, but 50 millamps or less would be a reasonable assumption. if the current draw is greater than this begin pulling fuses until the current reading drops to 50 millamps or less. by pulling fuses you'll identify what circuit is drawing excessive current. at this point you would need to examine that circuit. for example if you pull the alarm's fuse and the excessive current draw goes away you've now identified where the problem lies and you can troubleshoot from there.
 
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Old Jun 15, 2006 | 10:24 PM
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Default RE: Battery drain

Sorry,never even hard of it? Don't know how to use a volt ohm meter either?
 
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Old Jun 15, 2006 | 11:07 PM
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Default RE: Battery drain

This method of using an amp meter is the only way to determine how much of a draw you have on the system. This is a very good explanation of what to do to find it. There is no other good way to fix a draw then if you don't know how to use these tools.
 
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Old Jun 15, 2006 | 11:38 PM
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Default RE: Battery drain

Ok,someone just emailed me and said to connect a test light to the negative cable after disconnecting the cable from the battery,the light should be on,then disconnect fuses till the light goes out.That is the power loss site? Does that sound feasable?Do I connect the pointer of the test light to the negative side of the battery?
 
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Old Jun 15, 2006 | 11:46 PM
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Default RE: Battery drain

It can be done this way, but not very accurate. What to do is disconnect the neg battery cable and install the test light between in series. Then do the same procedure as stated above until the light is dim. Make sure the key is off along with turning off the interior light.
 
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Old Jun 18, 2006 | 12:07 AM
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Default RE: Battery drain

Pulled ALL the fuses inside the car and all but the black 80 amp in the engine compartment without putting the test light out? It dimmed slightly as each was pulled but nothing showed up as different when any of the fuses were pulled?
 
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Old Jun 18, 2006 | 02:25 AM
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Default RE: Battery drain

Thats why it is hard to describe the test light method. You have to be experienced using it. This is why a digital meter is helpful.
 
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Old Dec 27, 2014 | 04:56 PM
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From: allensville ky
Default mazda 19093 battery drain

i have a mazda 1993 after it sets for two days it drais my battery I have to disconnect the cable the battery is new the alternator is new any suggestions it is a 929
 
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