ive got an 86 rx7 base. something is drawing my battery down and its an optima yellow top. my car has an aftermarket viper alarm and i thought that maybe the factory alarm might have been drawing power. but after doing a little bit of research the alarms only came factory starting in 88, so thats not it. all of my lights work and none of them are on. if there are any other questions you have that would help you help me id appreciate it, thanks

 

did you do the draw test that we asked you to do in the other thread?

 

Just to add, if you don't do the test we asked you in the other thread, we can't help you.

Do the current draw test outlined in the other thread you posted and post the results.

 

what is my draw supposed to be? nothing??

 

No, stuff like the clock and radio will draw a little bit but I don't know exactly how much.

 

ok, well ill actually have time to do that test today so ill make sure to post the results wen im done with it

 

How have you ruled out your aftermarket alarm?

 

Was there any change to anything prior to this issue arising?

Install a new amplifier? Re-wire alarm? Replace alternator? Anything?

Undo the last electrical thing you did and see if the problem remains.

 

literally nothing changed. i have these 2 random *** switches that no one on earth seems to know what they are under my steering column cover...and im an electrical idiot so i have no clue either. but other than that nothing changed

 

normal draw with a viper alarm is going to be about 30ma maybe 40ma.

If you have something like close to 200ma, I'd say a relay is stuck on. If the test indicates normal draw, then I'd be suspicious of the battery (it might be damaged already by the drain).

 

that's because they aren't stock, so nobody on earth knows what they are because they aren't supposed to be there in the first place

 

ive put 3 different optimas in it(my yellow top, and my s13's redtop and my roommates soarers redtop) and theyre all doing the same thing, but you put it in another car...granted you have to jump it cause the rx7 kills it. they charge and stay good. so i dont think the batteries are going bad. but ill definetly check the multimeter when i get hom and let you guys know. and just to verify on how to do this:

disconnect positive terminal battery
touch leads from multimeter from post to terminal
read numbers
post them here

 

right, but what all wires run up underneath there?

 

Yes.

Remember to be measuring in milliamps (mA) and be sure the leads are plugged in correctly to the meter do measure current draw.

 

awesome. i appreciate the help...ill post up here in a few hours what i found out

 

only like half the car....

ignition switch, fuel pump, all the lights, washers, wipers, etc etc

 

well......**** me haha. when i do this multimeter test does the battery need to have a full charge?

 

not a full charge, but it can't be dead or no current will be able to flow.

 

cool....im bout to go down that real quick

 

I am actually anxiously curious what your current draw is...

I do this for a living, so I am always giddy when it comes to vehicle electrical issues.

 

my draw started at 3.02 and every 9-11 seconds itll will creep up .01.

 

but then i took my $230.00 optima yellow top out, but in a $215.00 optima redtop in...no help. then i tried my buddies shitty little $49 pos tiny *** battery out of his 88 civic and it fires up every time. im so lost lol

 

Did you check the draw w/the other batteries hooked up as well especially the one which works the best? If the curent battery still indicates a large draw then pull the BTN fuse and recheck the draw and if it doesn't change much for the better then disconnect the alternator output wire and check the amperage draw once again.

 

amps or milliamps?

 

ac milliamps