Parasitic drains are a topic we have addressed several times over the years on this blog. They are often the root cause of no start complaints, the resolution of which could involve almost anything we manufacture, from jump starters (overcoming the immediate issue of the no start condition) to battery chargers (bringing the battery back to a full State of Charge safely and beneficially) to battery maintainers (combating the parasitic drain until the root cause can be found and resolved). Diagnosing and overcoming parasitic drains is such a popular topic that we see it addressed on a regular basis in trade publications, at in-person educational events such as The Vision Show and on OE and aftermarket educational websites.
There are many different strategies for diagnosing and resolving parasitic drains. Most techs have their preferred methodology, some of which we have covered here in the past. This month, we’re highlighting a great resource on this topic. In this YouTube video, FordTechMakuloco reviews three different common ways technicians approach the problem of pinpointing a parasitic drain, reviewing the pros and cons of each. At over 30 minutes, it isn’t quick, but it is very thorough and well presented. If you’re looking to improve your parasitic drain game, we think this one is well worth your time investment.
Do you have any strategies you have found work well for you when diagnosing parasitic drains? We’d love to hear about it in the comments below. We’re sure the community would also appreciate learning from your experience.
