Short in electrical system?

[Tig]

Wow has it been a while since I stopped by the forum! I have a bit of a problem with the electrical system in the '99 T/A. Seems that every time I put in a battery, within the course of a month it's dead. I can't even jump the car, and the battery doesn't take a charge after recharging for 24 hours type dead. I have no idea why the pull on the battery. Anyone have any advice as to where to start a search for a short in the system of a 'bird? At this point I don't think I can afford to have a mechanic go searching around for a short for three hours!

Thanks,

Tig

[Red|ine]

yep, shorts suck.
luckily, i dont think mine is too bad, i get the spark when hookin up the batt, but other then that, i haven't even noticed it.

i've got no idea though, you'de pretty much have to unhook one thing at a time, or start pulling fuses.

[N20LT4Bird]

You probably are going to be searching for a parasitic draw, not a short.

The first step is to take off the negative terminal of the battery and run an ordinary test light from the cable to the battery post. If you have a significant draw the light should light up.

Then start removing fuses until the light goes out. You have now isolated the circuit. You will need a wiring diagram, but from there it a matter of probing around in that circuit with a meter or test light to find where there is a constant power to.

[DeWynter]

Take a Multi-meter and stick it inline on the positive terminal (not parallel) and see how much of a draw you are getting MUST USE AMPS setting. make sure its a draw first then if it isnt you can look at the charging system. I have had alternators that were charging at 11 ish amps and the car was drawing to much so it slowly drained the batt. over time.