Parasitic drain test failure

**R.Cade** · 06-26-2016 07:48 PM

Something is draining my battery over night. Battery has been tested and replaced, yet happened again.

I hook up my Fluke 77 set to DCA inline between the battery negative and terminal, it shows 5.25 amps.

I'm pulling fuses and realize the car is not actually ON at this point, not even the odometer is lit up. Sanity check, I re-attach the ground direct to battery, I hear relays and life, I see the odometer on thru the window. I inline the Fluke again, nothing, no life, no relays, dead dash. Tried both fused and unfused terminals on the meter, no change.

How is this a valid test if the car is not actually getting current while the meter is in-lined? Is my Fluke broke? Do I need an clamp meter?

Any insight? Thanks.

**IbisB8.5S4** · 06-26-2016 08:18 PM

the car needs to be fully off. no key in the ignition at all. you measure the amperage that is being drawn with the car OFF. if you try to turn it on, put the key to on position etc you could blow the meter.