dWhat is the normal current draw from the battery with the engine off?
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Joined: Apr 2002
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From: San Diego CA
dWhat is the normal current draw from the battery with the engine off?
My car has recently started to display the "low voltage" message on the DIC. The voltage shows 13.8 V with the engine running so I believe the alternator is functioning properly. I'm going to have the battery checked although the car only has 7500 miles. I'm wondering what is the typical current draw with the engine off and does anyone have any suggestions as to the culprit responsible for a higher than normal current draw (assuming that my battery checks out OK)?
Melting Slicks
Joined: Oct 2001
Posts: 2,075
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From: Central NJ
Re: dWhat is the normal current draw from the battery with the engine off? (RennfahrerX)
Check for a loose battery connection first, and inspect the grounds. The current draw should be less than 700 mA, but it will need to be checked with an inductive pickup so the cap in the light module charging up doesn't throw your reading off while you're hooked up in series. My '01 had a loose battery cable right from the factory, so anything is possible. I'd say it's a good chance that either your battery or the connections are the culprit though. Email me if you need any more info. :cheers:
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 1,037
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From: Richmond Texas
Re: dWhat is the normal current draw from the battery with the engine off? (NJVetteGuy)
Our dealer told us that if we plan on letting the car sit for more than about 3 days, we need someone to drive it around to charge it. All of the electronic gizmos and gadgets drain a lot.
Safety Car
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From: Western North Carolina
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Re: dWhat is the normal current draw from the battery with the engine off? (BigBlue)
My battery will not crank the car if it sits for 3 weeks. Been that way since I bought it. I just put a charger on it if it sits for a while. Better to use a charger than let the alternator charge the battery back up to full charge. :seeya
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jun 2000
Posts: 5,555
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From: Indiana
Re: dWhat is the normal current draw from the battery with the engine off? (BigBlue)
Our dealer told us that if we plan on letting the car sit for more than about 3 days, we need someone to drive it around to charge it. All of the electronic gizmos and gadgets drain a lot.
Safety Car
Joined: Sep 2001
Posts: 4,411
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From: Wilmington NC
Re: dWhat is the normal current draw from the battery with the engine off? (BigBlue)
Our dealer told us that if we plan on letting the car sit for more than about 3 days, we need someone to drive it around to charge it. All of the electronic gizmos and gadgets drain a lot.
Racer
Joined: May 2002
Posts: 275
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From: Houston TX
Re: dWhat is the normal current draw from the battery with the engine off? (RennfahrerX)
Normal current draw with everything turned off is about 25-27 mA. It takes a little bit of time for everything to power down. 700 mA stated above is way too high and not normal. Unfortunantely when you disconnect the battery to hook up the ammeter in series everything resets and has to power down. That's why GM makes a special switch so that the power isn't interuppted when connecting the ammeter. You can do the same thing with one of those battery quick disconnect swiches they sell. Make sure you disconnnect the under hood light and everything else is turned off. When you connect up the ammeter you will see a draw at first of about 1.3 A. Then about 800-900 mA, then about 90 mA, then about 34 mA, then finally about 27 mA when everything turns off.
It's probably the battery. Don't be surprised if they tell you the battery is ok. I had mine checked and they said the battery was ok. Still had problems. Did exhaustive checks looking for excessive current drains and couldn't find any. Replaced battery. Everything is fine.
[Modified by 55SUX, 12:42 PM 8/23/2002]
It's probably the battery. Don't be surprised if they tell you the battery is ok. I had mine checked and they said the battery was ok. Still had problems. Did exhaustive checks looking for excessive current drains and couldn't find any. Replaced battery. Everything is fine.
[Modified by 55SUX, 12:42 PM 8/23/2002]
Team Owner
Joined: Jun 1999
Posts: 41,792
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From: Houston,Texas USA
Re: dWhat is the normal current draw from the battery with the engine off? (RennfahrerX)
My 99 Coupe has sat in the garage for two weeks, while I was out of town. I had no problems starting it when I got back.
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Safety Car
Joined: Jul 2001
Posts: 4,661
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From: Ocean Springs MS
Re: dWhat is the normal current draw from the battery with the engine off? (BigBlue)
I'm frequently out of town for more than a week at a time, and my 4 month old coupe cranks up every time I get back and hop in. My airport car (94 Z) is much more likely to have a problem with it's 4 yr old Diehard.