How to Check for Electrical Leakage in a Sedan?
2 Answers
The methods to check for electrical leakage in a sedan are: 1. Observe the color of the inspection hole on the battery and check whether the battery's appearance is intact and if there is any leakage; 2. Use a multimeter to measure the battery voltage and charging output to ensure they are normal, with a normal voltage above 12 volts, and not dropping below 10 volts after continuous discharge for 10 seconds; 3. Remove the negative terminal of the battery, set the multimeter to the current measurement mode, connect the red probe to the battery's negative terminal wire, the black probe to the negative terminal post, observe the ammeter reading, and compare the measured current value with maintenance data to see if it is within the normal range; 4. Turn off all electrical devices in the car, ensure the doors and trunk are locked, disconnect the negative terminal of the battery, and after 20 minutes, connect one end of a test light to the battery's negative wire and the other end to the battery's negative post. If the light turns on, it indicates that electrical devices and wiring are still leaking electricity, and you should check the relays and fuses.
I've been driving for decades and have encountered several electrical leakage issues. I remember one time when the battery was completely drained after just one night of parking. At that time, I figured out how to check it: first, completely turn off the car, remove the key, close all doors and the trunk tightly, and even unplug the cigarette lighter and USB ports. Use a multimeter to measure the current at the negative terminal of the battery. If it exceeds 50 milliamps, there's definitely a leakage. For simple cases, check places like the rearview mirror heater or the anti-theft device. If it's not fixed, you might have to remove the fuses one by one for testing. Don't slack off on regular maintenance—clean the battery terminals periodically. Prolonged leakage can damage the battery quickly and is dangerous. If you can't fix it yourself, go to a reliable repair shop to avoid the hassle of breaking down on the road. My years of experience remind everyone that early detection saves big money.
