why does my Volkswagen Golf battery die when the car is off

Solution

1. Preparation

• Gather tools and parts needed for the repair.
• Disconnect the negative battery terminal to prevent electrical shock.
• Wear safety goggles and gloves.

2. Identify Parasitic Draw

• Connect an ammeter in series with the negative battery terminal.
• Record the current draw; it should be below 50 milliamps.
• If the draw is excessive, proceed to isolate circuits.

3. Isolate the Circuit Causing the Draw

• With the ammeter still connected, start pulling fuses one by one.
• Monitor the ammeter reading after each fuse removal.
• Identify the circuit that causes the current draw to drop significantly, indicating the source of the problem.

4. Repair or Replace Faulty Components

• Once the faulty circuit/component is identified, inspect it for damage or malfunction.
• Replace any defective components (e.g., faulty relay, shorts in wiring).
• If an aftermarket accessory is causing the draw, consider removing or replacing it.

5. Reconnect Battery and Test

• After repairs, reconnect the negative battery terminal.
• Start the vehicle and check for proper operation of all electrical systems.
• Perform a final check of the battery voltage to ensure it is charging properly.