Engine bay + terminal
 

Has anyone used the engine bay terminal for parasitic battery drain testing? I'm curious if a clamp meter would work there? I'm interested in using it for testing fuses under the glove box. The rear fuses I can test with the spare wheel out. Basically, a one person test without having to walk around to check the amp meter. Since I have a Foxwell, I can command sleep mode. Whatever is keeping it awake, will come back on. The inside motion sensor is unplugged for now. Two things will be checked quickly. The light control module and rear upper hatch wiring.

I think you need a battery to determine draw from a unintended source since the meter needs to between the battery and the positive cable not at the termination end of that cable

Correct. That terminal will disconnect the alternator and starter from the battery. Unfortunately not helpful for your desire.

Ok, thanks. The alternator is new. I've seen eyeing the starter for replacement. it has no problems turning over the 3.0. It spins hard and strong a good charged battery. Age is my concern. I'll be curious to put the clamp meter at both locations to check for a difference.

Difference in what ??

Engine bay + terminal
 

The starter current goes through one cable the current will be the same no matter where you measure it


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I had a chance to check amp draw today. It’s pulling 0.67 milliamps. I tested the rear fuses. Only 72 and 75 indicated voltage drop. Pulled both of them. No change. The rear hatch and door were latched closed. The Foxwell was used to command sleep mode. It woke up after a second. The door window switch light came back on. The radio can be turned on without a key. So it’s a confirmation it’s awake. Next, test all the front fuses for voltage drop.

Bluetooth multimeters are pretty handy for this. You can get an amp clamp with bluetooth for ~$50 on Amazon

Do you mean 0.67 amps (670 milliamps)? 0.67 miliamps is a tiny current and the X5 battery would last months if not years with this load... :dunno:

It's 0.67 milliamps if the door switch window light button is off. I've kept it off so it would drain less. On a full charge, it takes two days before it won't crank up anymore. As soon as it's warm, I'll do a full 16 min amp draw test. I won't use my Foxwell command for sleep. I put the clamp meter on the positive side. It read up to 1.5 amps. The readings were not accurate. The clamp was used by clamping on both positive cables or individually. Once I moved the clamp to the negative side, 0.67 is the lowest I saw.