Parasitic draw test
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Joined: Sep 2022
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From: Painesville OH
Parasitic draw test
Hello, fully loaded '96 LT4 6 speed manual. Getting 26ma parasitic draw with my Fluke meter on the 10A setting.. Can't get it to read at all on the 400ma setting. Reads .03A on 10A setting on my cheapie Harbor Freight meter and again can't get a reading on the 200ma setting. Is this an accptable draw and why can't I read it on the ma scale.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Mar 2002
Posts: 2,876
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From: Sligo PA
Hello, fully loaded '96 LT4 6 speed manual. Getting 26ma parasitic draw with my Fluke meter on the 10A setting.. Can't get it to read at all on the 400ma setting. Reads .03A on 10A setting on my cheapie Harbor Freight meter and again can't get a reading on the 200ma setting. Is this an accptable draw and why can't I read it on the ma scale.
But if you set the Fluke to 10a and read the 0.03 amp then pull one fuse at a time until the draw goes away. Then you know the circuit the draw is from. 26ma sounds very low. I know my Holley ECU pulls more than that all the time.
Pro
Joined: Jan 2005
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From: San Jose Ca
Just an FYI, 26ma is what I'd consider normal. I'm a 30 year auto tech, and occasionally get a parasitic draw car come in for diag. Under 30ma is normal for most cars. Some of the late model stuff with all the electronics is higher, and they can take a long time for all the modules to time out too, making tracing an actual draw an even more time consuming chore. As for your meter, have you blown the low amp fuse? VERY common to do.
Scott
Scott
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From: Painesville OH
Just an FYI, 26ma is what I'd consider normal. I'm a 30 year auto tech, and occasionally get a parasitic draw car come in for diag. Under 30ma is normal for most cars. Some of the late model stuff with all the electronics is higher, and they can take a long time for all the modules to time out too, making tracing an actual draw an even more time consuming chore. As for your meter, have you blown the low amp fuse? VERY common to do.
Scott
Scott
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That would be interesting to know 'If your display is still working and the fuse blown' - I've never had a blown fuse in my Fluke meter and my first reaction to your original post was 26 mA seemed good.
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From: Painesville OH
Bob
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So you'll post back with the initial reading again using the Fluke before going any further. Interesting that 'Display functions/illuminates'!
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Pro
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 686
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From: San Jose Ca
These fuses in the Fluke meters is only for current measurement protection, not the overall meter function. That's the case with nearly all DVOMs, fuses just for current measurement protection. VERY easy to blow the 400ma fuse by just opening the door of the car while hooked up. There's no need to use the 400ma input for what's being tested anyway.
Racer
Joined: Jan 2020
Posts: 470
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From: Va.Beach Va.
As a tip not to be tricked for all pro techs meter/s I always recommmend a 10 amp CB be installed inside to replace factory fuse. Your meter setting for "ALL" drain tests should be on the 10 amp setting only.. For every drain test performed the car has to be preped for it and the meter has to veryified to be in good working order by simply verifying a low curent ciruit is operational. Like visually seeing interior lights will activate or the park lights will operate with an amp meter in place...