What is a Parasitic Drain on a Car?

What is a parasitic drain?

Vehicles are complex pieces of moving and electrical machinery. For some of us, they simply get us from point A to point B. For others, they live in their vehicle. And for some, a vehicle is just a constant source of problems. Problems that are stemming from serious electrical issues, like a parasitic drain. Which poses the question of today’s blog post; what is a parasitic drain on a car? And how can you fix it?

There are plenty of valuable resources available on the internet. However, the information that you find here on our blog comes from over 30 years in the scrap car buying industry. We’ve seen and heard (and in some cases smelled) it all. And we have now taken that knowledge and created a blog where people with less than perfect cars can come for a point of reference.

If you’ve got an aging vehicle, or one with mechanical failure, electrical problems, structural damage, collision damage, or even just one with high mileage, More Cash For Scrap is the place to sell it for MORE. We offer MORE cash for scrap cars than the other guys!

Parasitic Drain Meaning

Checking a parasitic drain on a car

A parasitic drain is essentially an unknown draw on your vehicle’s battery. That means that even when your vehicle is turned off, and no keys are even in the ignition, the battery is still having power drawn from it to power something else. However, whatever it’s powering isn’t usually desired, and normally isn’t found until your battery begins to fail.

If you’ve never owned a multimeter before, now would be a good time to buy one. Because if you’re experiencing various seemingly voltage issues on your car, it could be that you have a parasitic drain. And if you’d like to establish that yourself before visiting your local mechanic, a multimeter is your best friend.

Multimeters can be found at virtually any automotive store, big box store, or even vehicle supply stores. Canadian Tire, Princess Auto, and KMS Tools are all known for having a regular stock of multimeters available, and at very reasonable prices.

To find the drain, start by connecting your multimeter to the negative battery terminal. Then, remove the fuses one at a time while watching for changes in the multimeter’s reading. Once the reading drops, you’ve found the culprit.

Parasitic Drain Symptoms on a Car

Dashboard warning indicators

Not everybody is mechanically inclined, nor do they possess the automotive aptitude to get to the bottom of a parasitic drain themselves. Even experience DIY-ers struggle with resolving the cause of a parasitic drain, because electrical problems are complicated on a good day.

And if you’ve got multiple problems going on, it can seem near impossible to find the issue, let alone resolve it on your own. This is when you should consult your local mechanic. However, knowing what signs and symptoms are present before visiting them will help expedited their search.

Below are the symptoms of a parasitic drain on a car to look out for. Take note, and share your findings with your shop.

Symptoms of a Parasitic Drain on a Car Include:

  • Difficulty starting your vehicle
  • Unable to start your vehicle
  • Battery frequently dies, even after being replaced
  • Check engine or other dash indicator lights are on
  • Dimming or flickering lights
  • Frequently having to change interior lights or headlights
  • New and unusual clicking noises
  • Needing frequent jumps even after you’ve had your battery boosted and have driven your vehicle for long enough to produce a charge
  • Your car battery dies even faster than it already is, when you have accessories plugged into your 12-volt outlet (cell phone, heated blanket, tablets, etc)
  • Slower than usual power windows
  • Slow moving windshield wipers
  • Any weak seeming electrical components anywhere on your car (including aftermarket light bars & interior lighting)

Whenever different auxiliary features or accessories start showing signs that they aren’t getting enough power, or can’t maintain it, address it sooner rather than later. Getting to the root of an electrical problem quickly can help minimize further damage to other components within your vehicle’s electrical system.

Why Is My Car Battery Dying So Fast?

Dead Car Battery

Car batteries can die for a variety of reasons. However, if it’s dying really quickly, over and over, especially after replacing it or even when it’s been jumped, there could be something deeper going on than battery malfunction itself.

Reasons Your Car Battery Is Dying Quickly Include:

  • Failing alternator
  • Voltage issues (usually caused by alternator)
  • Wiring issues
  • Damage to the terminals on your battery
  • Faulty or weak battery
  • Loose or stretch belts affecting the alternator
  • Parasitic drain
  • Interior lights being left on (without realizing)

When a battery replacement doesn’t resolve the issue, it’s time to see a pro like our friends at Short Stop Automotive in Tsawwassen. They can get to the bottom of almost any problem, and they’ll tell you honestly whether or not your vehicle is worth the money required to repair it.

What Causes a Parasitic Drain?

Bad Fuses on Parasitic Drain Car

Typically, a parasitic drain is caused by issues with the battery, the fuses, or lights that won’t turn off, even when your vehicle isn’t running. Things that could be causing or contributing to your parasitic drain include:

  • Glove box light left on (even when car is off)
  • Trunk light staying on
  • Corroded or damaged connections
  • Failing or damaged alternator
  • Damaged or malfunctioning relays
  • Damaged wiring
  • Malfunctioning or failing fuses
  • Leaving multiple devices plugged in to the 12-volt outlet

A simple process of elimination is usually how a parasitic drain is diagnosed. But once again, if there are multiple issues happening, you’ll need to get to the bottom of those too in order to save your battery and vehicle’s entire electrical system potentially.

How to Fix a Parasitic Drain on a Car

Multimeter

The easiest solution to fixing a parasitic drain on a car, is to replace your battery or replace fuses. However, that’s assuming that there aren’t other electrical issues happening on your vehicle. Because if there are, a battery and fuse replacement won’t do anything for your situation.

You might need a mechanic to run a proper diagnostic on your vehicle if you’re replaced your battery and fuses already, and are still having issues. This is because of other electrical components malfunctioning or failing.

Signs that you still have unknown electrical problems on your car AFTER replacing your battery and fuses include:

  • Still having difficulty starting your car
  • Intermittent stalling
  • Loss of power while driving or accelerating
  • Headlights and taillights constantly needing to be replaced
  • Dimming or flickering interior or exterior lights
  • Dimming radio display
  • Malfunction power windows, or slow-moving power windows
  • Stalling when using more accessories
  • The continued need to have your car jump started

Finding the source of a parasitic drain can be simple, but also complex. If replacing your battery and replacing various fuses hasn’t resolved the issues, be sure to have a professional address the problem.

Luckily, for Lower Mainland residents, More Cash for Scrap offers MORE cash for scrap cars with electrical issues than any other junk car buyers in Metro Vancouver and the Fraser Valley. If you’re considering selling your car due to increasing problems, sell it to More Cash For Scrap. We always pay MORE!

Parasitic Drain Repair Cost on a Car

scrap car removal

When it comes to electrical problems on any vehicle, there’s never a cheap or easy solution. Sometimes, we get lucky when we try to diagnose it and resolve it ourselves. And others times, our mechanic is able to get to the source of the problem without issue. However, that is the exception, not the average.

As a professional scrap car removal company that has been buying scrap cars in Metro Vancouver and the Fraser Valley since 2005, we know that electrical issues rarely travel alone. Typically, when there’s one electrical problem on a car, there are more. And not always because there are multiple issues to begin with, but because often times, one problem can add to or create another.

Typically, the average cost in Canada to resolve a parasitic drain on a vehicle is between $50 – $400, depending on the issue. However, when other electrical failures are present, the cost can reach upwards of thousands of dollars. Which is why so many people end up scrapping their older or aging vehicles that are showing signs of electrical problems, and not just from a parasitic drain.

Cash for Cars with Mechanical Issues

Cash for cars with Mechanical Issues

More Cash For Scrap has been proudly providing scrap car removal services throughout Metro Vancouver and the Fraser Valley since 2005. We are always happy to buy scrap vehicles of any make, model, and year, and in ANY condition.

Whether you’re selling a late-model SUV that needs a new engine, or a daily driver with high mileage, you’ll always get MORE cash for scrap cars in the Lower Mainland when you choose the scrap car removal services of More Cash For Scrap.

Plus, we have a penchant for buying cars with electric issues. That means, if you’ve been dealing with a parasitic drain, you can still sell us your car for MORE cash than all the other guys will offer you! We always pay MORE!

How Much Can I Sell My Car for in BC?

scrap-car-removal

Every scrap car, truck, SUV, hybrid, or van that we buy has a different value. This is because every vehicle has a different ailment. Thus, a different reason for being scrapped. And while we welcome all cars no matter how scrappy, our instant cash offers are based off of your specific vehicle, and everything that it offers.

Provide our scrap car buyers with the make, model, year, mileage, location, and condition of your junk vehicle. Also, be sure to advise us of any defects, recently performed repairs, or any that are needed. And definitely let us know if your vehicle is still running, because running vehicles are naturally, always worth MORE!

Once we have all of this information, we’ll consult local metal weight data rates, consider what is reusable and recyclable on your car, and assess the demand for parts for your particular scrap vehicle. Then, we’ll provide you with an instant cash offer right over the phone.

If you accept our offer, we’ll arrange a day and time for our scrap car removal team to come collect your car. This can be done any day of the week. Also, we can usually facilitate same day scrap car removal, depending on your availability and your location.

Call More Cash For Scrap & Sell Your Car Today!

More Cash for Scrap Cars

If you’re aging vehicle with a parasitic drain is driving you nuts, consider selling it to More Cash For Scrap. We don’t care what kinds of electrical problems your vehicle has. We LOVE buying scrap cars with electrical problems of any kind.

Just talk to our scrap car removal specialists, and we’ll be able to provide you with an instant cash offer right over the phone. Plus, we can typically provide same day scrap car removal services depending on where you live.

So, if you want to get rid of that vehicle that’s breaking the bank, and put a little extra cash back in your pocket, call More Cash For Scrap. We offer MORE customer service. MORE flexible junk car pick-up times. And pay MORE cash for scrap cars than the other guys! Call or text us today. We always offer MORE!

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About the Author: scrapcar

Since 2005, we've specialized in turning our customer's scrap cars into quick cash. We buy vehicles in ANY condition and with ANY issues. We pay MORE cash for scrap cars, trucks, SUVs, and vans than any other scrap car removal company in Metro Vancouver, the Fraser Valley, and Vancouver Island. If you want MORE cash, same day free junk car towing, and a reliable scrap car buying service, you want More Cash For Scrap.