Need help finding high current draw when car is off
Thread Starter
Safety Car
Joined: Jul 2001
Posts: 4,871
Likes: 15
From: Detroit's West Side MI
Need help finding high current draw when car is off
I killed my battery, so I checked to see my parasitic current draw is with everything off. I'm pulling 1.24 Amps in the idle state (ignition off).
I sequencially unplugged every fuse (in the interior panel and under the hood) to see what system was pulling that much juice and none of the fuses were a part of the wiring that's causing my draw.
I ripped just about everything electrical out of the car except the modules that make it run, so I have no PKE, cruise, ASR, HVAC, DRL's, power seat, stereo etc.
I do still have power windows. Don't ask.
I added aftermarket guages, but I unplugged them all as well.
Somewhere I've got a current path to ground, any suggestions on where to continue looking? Are any of the electronics not routed through the fuse panels?
Also, can someone measure their '92-96 and tell me what the normal draw should be for reference?
I sequencially unplugged every fuse (in the interior panel and under the hood) to see what system was pulling that much juice and none of the fuses were a part of the wiring that's causing my draw.
I ripped just about everything electrical out of the car except the modules that make it run, so I have no PKE, cruise, ASR, HVAC, DRL's, power seat, stereo etc.
I do still have power windows. Don't ask.
I added aftermarket guages, but I unplugged them all as well.
Somewhere I've got a current path to ground, any suggestions on where to continue looking? Are any of the electronics not routed through the fuse panels?
Also, can someone measure their '92-96 and tell me what the normal draw should be for reference?
Team Owner
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 54,124
Likes: 30
From: Cincinnati, Oh USA
GM says leakage current should not exceed 50 ma. My 87 draws 27 ma.
First, at night check the underhood lights and the center console light and the vanity mirror lights. Do you have a radar detector or aftermarket radio or audio amplifier? If you have pulled the fuses without lowering the leakage current, then start pulling the wires with fusible links. I think there is an electrical block next to the battery on your year and it may also have some fuses. My 87 has a bolt behind the battery with 8 wires that have fusible links. If you have the electrical service manual supplement, it shows where these wires with fusible links are connected. Feel the motors on your adjustable seat, some CFers have found their seat adjust switches stuck on and with warm adjust motors.
First, at night check the underhood lights and the center console light and the vanity mirror lights. Do you have a radar detector or aftermarket radio or audio amplifier? If you have pulled the fuses without lowering the leakage current, then start pulling the wires with fusible links. I think there is an electrical block next to the battery on your year and it may also have some fuses. My 87 has a bolt behind the battery with 8 wires that have fusible links. If you have the electrical service manual supplement, it shows where these wires with fusible links are connected. Feel the motors on your adjustable seat, some CFers have found their seat adjust switches stuck on and with warm adjust motors.
Thread Starter
Safety Car
Joined: Jul 2001
Posts: 4,871
Likes: 15
From: Detroit's West Side MI
thanks for the suggestions. The radio all the interior lights are gone (it's a track car only).
I did check the fuses under the hood by the battery, but not the fusable links. I'm going to do that right now.
I did check the fuses under the hood by the battery, but not the fusable links. I'm going to do that right now.
Thread Starter
Safety Car
Joined: Jul 2001
Posts: 4,871
Likes: 15
From: Detroit's West Side MI
O2 sensors are fine. I unplugged the entire ECM (they're grounded through it) and still 1.64 friggin amps. TIme to start checking relays, fan, fuel pump, etc.
Stupid car.
Stupid car.
