parasitic draw
Thread Starter
6th Gear
Joined: Jul 2017
Posts: 6
Likes: 0
From: port st lucie florida
parasitic draw
i have an 87 killing the battery, i have narrowed it down (i think) to the interior light etc. circuit, should the interior lights come on upon connection of the battery, even the connection of amp meter wires between negative cable and battery terminal?
Le Mans Master
Joined: Feb 2000
Posts: 9,060
Likes: 214
From: Epping NH
Pull the negative cable and put an amp meter between the negative cable and negative battery post. On my 96 I draw 30mA, I beleive other model years are similar. If you're much higher then that, pull fuses until you see the current drop down. That will narrow the draw.
A slightly easier way to do this is pick up a circuit tester from Harbor Freight
https://www.harborfreight.com/30-Amp...ter-67724.html
A slightly easier way to do this is pick up a circuit tester from Harbor Freight
https://www.harborfreight.com/30-Amp...ter-67724.html
Safety Car
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 3,953
Likes: 550
From: Mission Viejo CA
Le Mans Master
Joined: Feb 2000
Posts: 9,060
Likes: 214
From: Epping NH
Not sure about an 87, but on my 96 I have larger size fuses under the hood that I don't believe the HF circuit test will work on, so you might still need to do the amp meter test.
Last edited by bac22; Jul 18, 2017 at 07:30 AM.
Corvette Stories
The Best of Corvette for Corvette Enthusiasts
150 hp to 1,250 hp: Every Corvette Generation Compared by the Specs That Matter
Joe Kucinski
8 Coolest Corvette Pace Cars (and Replicas) of All Time
Verdad Gallardo
Top 10 Corvette Engines RANKED by Peak Torque (70+ Years of Muscle!)
Joe Kucinski
Corvette ZR1X Will Be Pacing the Indy 500, And Could Probably Race, Too!
Verdad Gallardo
Top 10 Corvettes Coming to Mecum Indy 2026!
Brett Foote
Top 10 C9 Corvette MUST-HAVES to Fix These C8 Generation Flaws!
Michael S. Palmer
10 Revolutionary 'Corvette Firsts' Most People Don't Know
Joe Kucinski
5 Reasons to Upgrade to an LS6-Powered Corvette; 5 Reasons to Stay LT2
Michael S. Palmer
2027 Corvette vs The World: Every C8 vs Its Closest Competitor
Joe Kucinski
Team Owner
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 25,373
Likes: 2,734
There's way more components to check before going to the fuses. I'd think the DMM approach 1st to check major components and then "maybe" the check of individual circuits using the mentioned device.
A DMM and HRR's suggested jumper connection approach I believe is the 1st move. You need to have an idea of just what/where you might be led.
If all of the fuses are ATO you can use the DMM without pulling fuses.
Last edited by WVZR-1; Jul 18, 2017 at 10:10 AM.
Thread Starter
6th Gear
Joined: Jul 2017
Posts: 6
Likes: 0
From: port st lucie florida
ok, i hooked my meter up, it showed .8 amp draw, i pulled fuses one at at a time, when i pulled the circuit breaker for the power window switches it dropped to .03, i wiggled the switches a little and put the breaker back, and it still remains at .03 for 2 days now, so, i guess i have some new window switches in my future
Last edited by danja; Jul 20, 2017 at 07:03 PM.