C5 Tech Corvette Tech/Performance: LS1 Corvette Technical Info, Internal Engine, External Engine, Tech Topics, Basic Tech, Maintenance, How to Remove & Replace
Sponsored by:
Sponsored by:

parasitic draw

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old Nov 14, 2018 | 12:00 AM
  #1  
openpot1's Avatar
openpot1
Thread Starter
Heel & Toe
 
Joined: Aug 2018
Posts: 18
Likes: 0
Default parasitic draw

I got a parasitic draw, after 3 days battery dead. I've check all the fuses and they all good. 2004 C5 Corvette standard. Don't know where to go from here.
Reply
Old Nov 14, 2018 | 12:57 AM
  #2  
BigGun's Avatar
BigGun
Drifting
10 Year Member
 
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 1,596
Likes: 67
From: Bahama North Carolina
Default

It is not possible for a fuse to cause a parasitic draw. If you use Google and search "parasitic draw in a C5 Corvette" you will see the many possible causes and possible solutions. It has been discussed many times as this is a fairly common problem. Perhaps you should consider taking the car to a trusted shop, NOT a dealership.
Reply
Old Nov 14, 2018 | 02:06 AM
  #3  
laurent_zo6's Avatar
laurent_zo6
Melting Slicks
10 Year Member
 
Joined: Aug 2013
Posts: 2,491
Likes: 315
St. Jude Donor '15-'16-'17-'18-'19-'20-'21-'22
Default

From Bill Curlee, the electrical guru on this forum:

Attached Images
Reply
Old Nov 20, 2018 | 11:35 AM
  #4  
lonerider2002's Avatar
lonerider2002
Racer
 
Joined: Mar 2013
Posts: 477
Likes: 48
Default

Don't know if this will help you but I found that the glove compartment light was staying on draining my battery. Seems that the door will kind of droop just enough so the switch is not fully compressed. I just took a self adhesive felt pad( the kind you use for the bottom of a chair leg ) and positioned it so it pushed in the switch when closed. Seemed to correct my issue. I do keep a CTEK battery tender on mine at all times now.
Reply
Old Nov 20, 2018 | 12:37 PM
  #5  
STRMLNE's Avatar
STRMLNE
Melting Slicks
 
Joined: Oct 2002
Posts: 2,515
Likes: 441
From: Arizona
Default

Had a similar problem recently. Turned out that my starter went bad. It was explained to me that the starter continued to draw on the battery even after the car started causing the battery to go dead. Replaced the starter. Problem solved.
Reply
Old Nov 20, 2018 | 02:03 PM
  #6  
37pat's Avatar
37pat
Instructor
20 Year Member
Liked
 
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 146
Likes: 1
From: Milpitas CA
Default

My wife’s ‘99 vert had this problem about a year ago. We went through several batteries over a period of about 18 months. One evening, out in the garage, I heard a hum from inside the car. Followed the sound, and something I’ve not yet identified in the passenger seat was humming and producing a slight vibration. Since moving the seat is never really necessary, I loosened the mounting, and unplugged the connectors powering the passenger seat. Since then, problem solved.
Reply
Old Nov 20, 2018 | 03:24 PM
  #7  
Bill Curlee's Avatar
Bill Curlee
Tech Contributor
Supporting Lifetime Gold
Veteran: Navy
25 Year Member
Liked
Community Favorite
 
Joined: Dec 1999
Posts: 32,910
Likes: 2,402
From: Anthony TX
CI 6,7,8,9,11 Vet
St. Jude Donor '08
Default

Lets do this... On the UNDERHOOD FUSE BOX, there is a B+ connection on the side of the fuse box. You will find TWO battery cables bolted to that B+ stud. One is the battery FEED directly from the battery, and the other one is a FEED THROUH that supplies power to the PASSENGERS FOOT WELL FUSE BOX.

NOTE/WARNING! Be careful!! This is a HOT AT ALL TIMES wire!

If you disconnect those wires, you can use the wire from the battery terminal to power either the engine compartment fuse box OR the Passengers Well Fuse Box separately. That will allow you to see which fuse box is drawing the excessive current. The designed spec for the C5 is very close to 2 milliamps.

You can also insert the AMP Meter between the HOT battery cable and the box that you are testing. Once you determine what fuse box is drawing excessive current, you can concentrate your efforts on finding the circuit in that specific fuse box that is drawing the excessive current.

Give that a try and see how you make out. Let us know what you find.

My guess is that you will be finding the problem in the passenger foot well box.. Something is staying on that SHOULD be turning OFF. Take a look at the car at night to see if any lighting is staying on.. That is an easily missed issue but a very simple one to solve!!

Bill

Last edited by Bill Curlee; Nov 20, 2018 at 03:25 PM.
Reply
Old Nov 20, 2018 | 03:29 PM
  #8  
C5 Diag's Avatar
C5 Diag
Moderator, Tech Contributor
Supporting Lifetime Gold
10 Year Member
Veteran: Air Force
Liked
Community Favorite
 
Joined: Sep 2013
Posts: 15,561
Likes: 4,031
From: Cape Coral, Florida
Default

This video will explain the "procedure" if you've never performed this test...."voltage drop" testing across the fuse is best...if your DVOM has a millivolt scale that's great !!

Reply
Corvette Stories

The Best of Corvette for Corvette Enthusiasts

story-0

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

 Joe Kucinski
story-1

How Much Horsepower Every Corvette Engine "LOST" in 1972

 Joe Kucinski
story-2

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

 Michael S. Palmer
story-3

Top 10 Most Explosive Corvettes Ever Made: Power-to-Weight Ratio Ranked!

 Joe Kucinski
story-4

150 hp to 1,250 hp: Every Corvette Generation Compared by the Specs That Matter

 Joe Kucinski
story-5

8 Coolest Corvette Pace Cars (and Replicas) of All Time

 Verdad Gallardo
story-6

Top 10 Corvette Engines RANKED by Peak Torque (70+ Years of Muscle!)

 Joe Kucinski
story-7

Corvette ZR1X Will Be Pacing the Indy 500, And Could Probably Race, Too!

 Verdad Gallardo
story-8

Top 10 Corvettes Coming to Mecum Indy 2026!

 Brett Foote
story-9

Top 10 C9 Corvette MUST-HAVES to Fix These C8 Generation Flaws!

 Michael S. Palmer
Old Nov 20, 2018 | 03:31 PM
  #9  
csvette's Avatar
0csvette
Former Vendor
 
Joined: Mar 2002
Posts: 116
Likes: 3
From: Sarasota FL
Default

We see this problem often, and there are many possibilities. One that is not expected is that corrosion will occur on the circuit board in the seat switch. It may not cause the seat motor to run, but it can cause a slow drain to ground. We see it most often in convertibles since they are more likely to get moisture in the switch from getting caught in the rain with top down or weatherstrip leaking.. Happens in coupes also, just less frequently. Open your LH window in the rain or with heavy dew on the car and see where the water drips! If you remove the switch from the seat and GENTLY open it, look for any corrosion on the circuit board. If you see any, that may be the issue. Just one of many possibilities.
Reply
Old Nov 20, 2018 | 03:41 PM
  #10  
Bill Curlee's Avatar
Bill Curlee
Tech Contributor
Supporting Lifetime Gold
Veteran: Navy
25 Year Member
Liked
Community Favorite
 
Joined: Dec 1999
Posts: 32,910
Likes: 2,402
From: Anthony TX
CI 6,7,8,9,11 Vet
St. Jude Donor '08
Default

Originally Posted by csvette
We see this problem often, and there are many possibilities. One that is not expected is that corrosion will occur on the circuit board in the seat switch. It may not cause the seat motor to run, but it can cause a slow drain to ground. We see it most often in convertibles since they are more likely to get moisture in the switch from getting caught in the rain with top down or weatherstrip leaking.. Happens in coupes also, just less frequently. Open your LH window in the rain or with heavy dew on the car and see where the water drips! If you remove the switch from the seat and GENTLY open it, look for any corrosion on the circuit board. If you see any, that may be the issue. Just one of many possibilities.
100% correct!!

The seat multifunction switch return springs can also wear and not re-center the switch into the (middle) "OFF" position causing the seat to also run continuously. The seat motor circuit is protected by a circuit BREAKER and it will trip and reset until the battery is DEAD!
Reply
Old Nov 20, 2018 | 11:58 PM
  #11  
openpot1's Avatar
openpot1
Thread Starter
Heel & Toe
 
Joined: Aug 2018
Posts: 18
Likes: 0
Default parasitic draw

I think I found the problem, Alternator diodes were leaking. Put in a new alternator and will wait 4 or 5 days to see if it starts.
Reply
Old Nov 22, 2018 | 10:09 AM
  #12  
old stingray's Avatar
old stingray
Race Director
20 Year Member
Community Builder
Community Favorite
Top Answer: 3
 
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 10,855
Likes: 465
From: EAST TENNESSEE
Default

Hope you found it. Finding a parasitic draw can be a PITA.
Reply
Old Nov 22, 2018 | 10:13 AM
  #13  
Doug1's Avatar
Doug1
Safety Car
10 Year Member
 
Joined: Sep 2012
Posts: 4,688
Likes: 41
From: Palm Harbor, Florida
Default

Originally Posted by openpot1
I think I found the problem, Alternator diodes were leaking. Put in a new alternator and will wait 4 or 5 days to see if it starts.

I had the exact same problem, replaced my alternator, only problem is, I didn't do a search on here over the potential problems of the local auto parts alternators, I spent $160, now I have the "charge system fault message", aggravating. Hope you don't get that.
Don't forget to fully charge your battery, I'm sure you did that though.

Just ordered correct alternator from amazon, $380(real good price from what I have seen)
ACDelco 10316182 ACDelco 10316182

Autozone told me on the phone they would refund/return the part, we'll see how that goes.

update: replaced alternator yesterday with the one I gave a link to, works great, no more error messages and Autozone gave full refund plus money for my original core.

Last edited by Doug1; Dec 2, 2018 at 09:36 AM.
Reply
Old Dec 21, 2018 | 12:03 AM
  #14  
openpot1's Avatar
openpot1
Thread Starter
Heel & Toe
 
Joined: Aug 2018
Posts: 18
Likes: 0
Default

Found it. An old GPS Tracker buried inside the dash.
Reply
Old Dec 23, 2018 | 10:59 AM
  #15  
Doug1's Avatar
Doug1
Safety Car
10 Year Member
 
Joined: Sep 2012
Posts: 4,688
Likes: 41
From: Palm Harbor, Florida
Default

Great!!! Could help someone in the future.

Last edited by Doug1; Dec 23, 2018 at 10:59 AM.
Reply
Old Jan 4, 2019 | 05:56 PM
  #16  
DCrooke's Avatar
DCrooke
Advanced
 
Joined: Aug 2017
Posts: 60
Likes: 6
Default

I had the EXACT same issue as 37pat did......with a brand new battery. I sat in my car one day, windows up, engine off, no radio, etc.....and I kept hearing a hum. I zeroed in on the noise and found it coming from beneath the passenger seat. Turns out it was the lumbar support, etc. motor was constantly engaged. I also just decided to disconnect the switch and no more battery drain. I suspect it's the switch itself. One day I'll plunk down the $250 and buy a new switch. Until then my passenger (wife) can accept her seat the way it is.
Reply

Get notified of new replies

To parasitic draw





All times are GMT -4. The time now is 10:18 PM.

story-0
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-1
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-2
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
story-3
Top 10 Most Explosive Corvettes Ever Made: Power-to-Weight Ratio Ranked!

Slideshow: The 10 most explosive Corvettes ever built based on power-to-weight ratio.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-20 07:23:03


VIEW MORE
story-4
150 hp to 1,250 hp: Every Corvette Generation Compared by the Specs That Matter

Slideshow: From C1 to C8 we compare every Corvette generation by the numbers.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-12 16:54:12


VIEW MORE
story-5
8 Coolest Corvette Pace Cars (and Replicas) of All Time

Slideshow: Some Corvette pace cars became collectible legends, while others perfectly captured the look and attitude of their era.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-11 09:50:51


VIEW MORE
story-6
Top 10 Corvette Engines RANKED by Peak Torque (70+ Years of Muscle!)

Slideshow: Ranking the top 10 Corvette engines by torque output.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-05 11:58:09


VIEW MORE
story-7
Corvette ZR1X Will Be Pacing the Indy 500, And Could Probably Race, Too!

Slideshow: A Corvette pace car nearly matching IndyCar speeds sounds exaggerated, until you look at the numbers.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-04 20:03:36


VIEW MORE
story-8
Top 10 Corvettes Coming to Mecum Indy 2026!

Among a rather large group of them.

By Brett Foote | 2026-05-04 13:56:44


VIEW MORE
story-9
Top 10 C9 Corvette MUST-HAVES to Fix These C8 Generation Flaws!

Slideshow: the top 10 things Corvette owners want in the C9 Corvette

By Michael S. Palmer | 2026-04-30 12:41:15


VIEW MORE