Power draw draining my battery

[stang13]

Hi I am having a problem with my 70 challenger rt se . Whenever it sits for a day or so it drains the battery at first I thought it was the battery so I bought an optima red top and have the same problem . I did end up removing the dome light in the overhead console due to my son accidentally braking the unit . I taped the clip with electrical until I locate a replacement light fixture . I have no idea what it can be there is no more done light  light not sure what is causing the power drain ?

[Chryco Psycho]

I usually start by pulling the fuses & testing for draw/ load across the fuse this should isolate the circuit , if not then start looking at aftermarket add ons

[stang13]

Thank you for the tip  sorry for sounding stupid bit what type of meter or tool do you normally test across the fuses with ?

[Chryco Psycho]

Volt meter , I prefer analog with a needle over digital so you can see the needle swing over  , use the highest amperage scale & just touch it momentarily so it will not harm the meter

[MEK-Dangerfield]

Is this a new problem?

It is a pretty serious drain to kill your battery in a day or so. Chryco's suggestion would at least narrow the circuit that is at fault.

So I throw out the glove compartment light staying on, or your map light staying on(if you have one), as possible culprits.

[stang13]

This problem has been going on since I got the car . I recently had the engine rebuilt and it still happens . I can't see any lights on with the doors shut I don't have any glove compartment light or map light .  I figured it must be something in the interior but it's draining a brand new optima red top would an interior light or drain it in a day or two ?

[Chryco Psycho]

I doubt it , I left my headlights on & the Optima lasted 14 hrs , lights were still on but the car would not start  it must be a large draw to kill the battery in 2 days
Is the ign staying on / coil hot ?

[Jamiez]

Electric choke?  Maybe it's hooked to a non-switched circuit?  Electricity to heat takes a lot of power but I wouldn't expect the choke to draw that much....
You'd also probably notice some issues starting it in cold weather.

[Chryco Psycho]

 
It has to be on the battery side or connected aftermarket to bypass the off switch or it could not apply a load with the key off

[tman]

Aftermarket stereo?  Like folks say, possible draw on the battery side.  Take a look at this video to help find your draw with a multi meter.  Pretty simple. 

How to Test For Parasitic Battery Drain

[74challenger03]

  thank you tman for the video. Just what I needed do to the draw on my chally. Step 1

[ShelbyDogg]

I use a 12v light and or buzzer between the battery post and the positive cable. Start pulling fuses on unplugging connectors till the light goes off, then concentrate on that circuit.

If you have a rallye dash, a common mistake is plugging the clock wire on to the guage limiter wire since it doesn't turn off with the key. Do your gas and temp gauges drop off when the key is off?