Audio/Electronics Stereo System Installation Info, Amplifiers, Subwoofers, Radar Detectors, Police Scanners, and CB Radios for the Corvette
Sponsored by:
Sponsored by: Innova

05 C6 - parasitic draw - interface box? Is it necessary?

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old Mar 19, 2022 | 04:47 PM
  #1  
RyaneC's Avatar
RyaneC
Thread Starter
Instructor
 
Joined: May 2016
Posts: 119
Likes: 6
From: Chester SC
Default 05 C6 - parasitic draw - interface box? Is it necessary?

Been having dead battery from a parasitic draw for awhile now. Changed the battery, changed the alternator. Still doing it. We finally got around to hooking a test light up to everything today and the only thing we can find that causes a change in the test light is the blue interface box/memory wire going to the interface box.

Is it a bad interface box? Could it be wired in incorrectly? Is it a necessity?


Head unit is a KENWOOD DNX695S. No backup camera on the car. It does have satellite navigation through the radio. OnStar is not active in the car.

trying to think of any other questions that might be asked, but that’s all that come to mind right off.

Thanks y’all.
Reply
Old Mar 19, 2022 | 05:38 PM
  #2  
VinceC5's Avatar
VinceC5
Melting Slicks
20 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
 
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 2,847
Likes: 439
From: Spring Texas
Default

Pics and model of the interface box would help. Blue is usually a remote/switched 12V out. So yeah, if you think its a memory wite, it's probably hooked up incorrectly.
Reply
Old Mar 19, 2022 | 06:06 PM
  #3  
RyaneC's Avatar
RyaneC
Thread Starter
Instructor
 
Joined: May 2016
Posts: 119
Likes: 6
From: Chester SC
Default

Originally Posted by VinceC5
Pics and model of the interface box would help. Blue is usually a remote/switched 12V out. So yeah, if you think its a memory wite, it's probably hooked up incorrectly.


it’s this kit, the older PAC RP5-GM11.


soooo one thing I didn’t realize til a few minutes ago.

The memory wire. The way it’s wired up, there’s one going through the interface box into the radio… and a second bypassing the interface box and going straight into the radio. I’m guessing maybe this is incorrect? And it could be the problem? Which one is right?
Reply
Old Mar 19, 2022 | 07:39 PM
  #4  
VinceC5's Avatar
VinceC5
Melting Slicks
20 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
 
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 2,847
Likes: 439
From: Spring Texas
Default

I meant pics of it installed. A few known issues:
1. Older versions of that interface needed the additional bypass wire on the Acc circuit for some headunits.
2. Some interfaces go bad and do cause this parasitic draw.

You can do some further tests by just removing the module or just go ahead and replace with newer model from Crutchfield.

Reply
Old Mar 19, 2022 | 09:05 PM
  #5  
RyaneC's Avatar
RyaneC
Thread Starter
Instructor
 
Joined: May 2016
Posts: 119
Likes: 6
From: Chester SC
Default

Sorry about that! I misunderstood. We have everything pulled out and hanging right now doing troubleshooting so it didn’t cross my mind that pics like that would be helpful.

thanks so much!!
Reply
Old Mar 19, 2022 | 10:27 PM
  #6  
madsonp's Avatar
madsonp
Le Mans Master
Supporting Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
Top Answer: 5
 
Joined: Oct 2017
Posts: 5,428
Likes: 2,309
From: Billings Montana. Out in the wild west
Default

This is what the newest version of the RP5-GM11 looks like, it's got some improvements over the older version. If your current RP5 is bad, you wouldn't be the first one who's had issues with them.



Last edited by madsonp; Mar 20, 2022 at 02:10 AM.
Reply
Old Mar 20, 2022 | 10:46 AM
  #7  
madsonp's Avatar
madsonp
Le Mans Master
Supporting Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
Top Answer: 5
 
Joined: Oct 2017
Posts: 5,428
Likes: 2,309
From: Billings Montana. Out in the wild west
Default

And as far as your question on if it's necessary, yes it is, it's need to interface between the cars canbus system and the head unit.
Reply
Old Mar 23, 2022 | 11:41 AM
  #8  
madsonp's Avatar
madsonp
Le Mans Master
Supporting Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
Top Answer: 5
 
Joined: Oct 2017
Posts: 5,428
Likes: 2,309
From: Billings Montana. Out in the wild west
Default

One other thing is that a small amount to draw is normal, this is needed to retain the settings and clock of the head unit. How much draw are you seeing ?
Reply
Corvette Stories

The Best of Corvette for Corvette Enthusiasts

story-0

5 Best & 5 Most Overrated Corvette Track Packages of All Time!

 Joe Kucinski
story-1

Every 2027 Corvette Engine Explained

 Joe Kucinski
story-2

Designer Imagines A Corvette That Looks More Like a Corvette Than the Corvette

 Verdad Gallardo
story-3

10 Ugly Corvettes That We Still Kinda Love

 Joe Kucinski
story-4

Top 10 Most Expensive Corvettes Ever Sold on Bring A Trailer

 Brett Foote
story-5

10 Things Every Corvette Owner Needs (2026 Edition)

 Michael S. Palmer
story-6

8 Most "Only Corvette Owners Understand" Quirks and Problems

 Pouria Savadkouei
story-7

10 Reasons the C6 Z06 is Still A Performance Benchmark After 20 Years

 Joe Kucinski
story-8

How Much Horsepower Every Corvette Engine "LOST" in 1972

 Joe Kucinski
story-9

Top 10 DOs and DON'Ts for Protecting Your Convertible Top!

 Michael S. Palmer
Old Mar 23, 2022 | 02:28 PM
  #9  
RyaneC's Avatar
RyaneC
Thread Starter
Instructor
 
Joined: May 2016
Posts: 119
Likes: 6
From: Chester SC
Default

Originally Posted by madsonp
One other thing is that a small amount to draw is normal, this is needed to retain the settings and clock of the head unit. How much draw are you seeing ?
Its enough to kill a brand new battery in a week or less.

Husband disconnected one of those memory wires to see what would happen. So far it’s only lost something like 0.4 since he did that.
Reply
Old Mar 23, 2022 | 06:28 PM
  #10  
madsonp's Avatar
madsonp
Le Mans Master
Supporting Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
Top Answer: 5
 
Joined: Oct 2017
Posts: 5,428
Likes: 2,309
From: Billings Montana. Out in the wild west
Default

Originally Posted by RyaneC
Its enough to kill a brand new battery in a week or less.

Husband disconnected one of those memory wires to see what would happen. So far it’s only lost something like 0.4 since he did that.
It would be interesting to know what the reading was prior to disconnecting it. I suspect if it was high the interface might be bad like I mentioned earlier.
Reply
Old Apr 11, 2022 | 09:26 PM
  #11  
RyaneC's Avatar
RyaneC
Thread Starter
Instructor
 
Joined: May 2016
Posts: 119
Likes: 6
From: Chester SC
Default

Originally Posted by madsonp
It would be interesting to know what the reading was prior to disconnecting it. I suspect if it was high the interface might be bad like I mentioned earlier.
ordering the new interface tonight. We thought we had it whipped by getting rid of one of the memory wires. The battery was holding its charge and everything was working fine for a week or two… but now the head unit won’t turn on. So now we’ll try the new interface. Thanks!
Reply
Old Apr 12, 2022 | 12:46 AM
  #12  
madsonp's Avatar
madsonp
Le Mans Master
Supporting Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
Top Answer: 5
 
Joined: Oct 2017
Posts: 5,428
Likes: 2,309
From: Billings Montana. Out in the wild west
Default

Originally Posted by RyaneC
ordering the new interface tonight. We thought we had it whipped by getting rid of one of the memory wires. The battery was holding its charge and everything was working fine for a week or two… but now the head unit won’t turn on. So now we’ll try the new interface. Thanks!
Let us know if you have any questions on wiring it up when you get it.
Reply
Old Apr 14, 2022 | 02:23 PM
  #13  
Pb82 Ronin's Avatar
Pb82 Ronin
Le Mans Master
 
Joined: Oct 2012
Posts: 9,366
Likes: 969
From: Out back
Default

Reply
Old Apr 14, 2022 | 05:55 PM
  #14  
madsonp's Avatar
madsonp
Le Mans Master
Supporting Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
Top Answer: 5
 
Joined: Oct 2017
Posts: 5,428
Likes: 2,309
From: Billings Montana. Out in the wild west
Default

Originally Posted by Pb82 Ronin
Reply

Get notified of new replies

To 05 C6 - parasitic draw - interface box? Is it necessary?





All times are GMT -4. The time now is 04:54 PM.

story-0
5 Best & 5 Most Overrated Corvette Track Packages of All Time!

Slideshow: The 5 best and 5 most overrated Corvette track packages ever.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-06-09 12:46:45


VIEW MORE
story-1
Every 2027 Corvette Engine Explained

Slideshow: Every 2027 Corvette engine explained

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-06-09 12:16:31


VIEW MORE
story-2
Designer Imagines A Corvette That Looks More Like a Corvette Than the Corvette

Slideshow: A Jaguar designer's personal project imagines what a modern front-engined Corvette might look like if Chevrolet revisited the golden age of the Stingray.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-06-08 19:53:43


VIEW MORE
story-3
10 Ugly Corvettes That We Still Kinda Love

Slideshow: 10 ugly Corvettes that we still kinda love.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-06-03 10:34:17


VIEW MORE
story-4
Top 10 Most Expensive Corvettes Ever Sold on Bring A Trailer

A lot of money has changed hands at the online auction house over the years.

By Brett Foote | 2026-06-03 10:21:50


VIEW MORE
story-5
10 Things Every Corvette Owner Needs (2026 Edition)

Slideshow: 10 great gifts Corvette enthusiasts actually want for Father's Day!

By Michael S. Palmer | 2026-06-03 15:43:40


VIEW MORE
story-6
8 Most "Only Corvette Owners Understand" Quirks and Problems

Slideshow: These are the quirks, annoyances, and oddly lovable problems that every Corvette owner eventually learns to live with.

By Pouria Savadkouei | 2026-05-28 09:31:39


VIEW MORE
story-7
10 Reasons the C6 Z06 is Still A Performance Benchmark After 20 Years

Slideshow: 10 reasons why the C6 Z06 is still a performance benchmark after 20 years.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-27 17:20:09


VIEW MORE
story-8
How Much Horsepower Every Corvette Engine "LOST" in 1972

Slideshow: How much horsepower every Corvette engine lost in 1972.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-27 16:54:53


VIEW MORE
story-9
Top 10 DOs and DON'Ts for Protecting Your Convertible Top!

Slideshow: How to Protect A Convertible Top: 10 DOs & DON'Ts

By Michael S. Palmer | 2026-04-03 00:00:00


VIEW MORE