Parasitic Draw: How many amps w/ key off???
#1
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Parasitic Draw: How many amps w/ key off???
So, lately, my car has been somewhat slow cranking if I let it sit for more than a few hours. So I disconnect my battery for 30 min to let everything stop drawing power, and taking off my + BAT cable, placing the red lead of my multimeter on the + post of my battery, and the negitive lead of my multimeter on the + BAT cable feeding the car, reading how many amps that my Max's electrical system is pulling when the car is off, doors closed, everything else off, like it was going to sit for the night. it says that it is pulling 0.15A at this point, which if I remember from my ASE training, is too much and will kill the battery in a couple days if the car is not started. I am thinking it is only supposed to draw a few milli-amps, but I could be wrong. does anyone know how much can be pulled to avoid drainging the battery.
I have disconnected all my audio equiptment and the draw is still there, so I know that is not the problem. also, I started pulling fuses to see where the draw was and unless I missed a fuse, then I cant find it anywhere.
also, if I charge up the battery after it has been sitting, or try to start it after I have been driving, then it starts fine so I have reason to believe there are no problems with the starting or charging systems on the car-there has to be a parasitic draw somewhere.
by the way I have a Optima YellowTop battery which I know is in excellent condition, but have no clue as to the condition of the alternator...
as always thanks in advance
-Matt
I have disconnected all my audio equiptment and the draw is still there, so I know that is not the problem. also, I started pulling fuses to see where the draw was and unless I missed a fuse, then I cant find it anywhere.
also, if I charge up the battery after it has been sitting, or try to start it after I have been driving, then it starts fine so I have reason to believe there are no problems with the starting or charging systems on the car-there has to be a parasitic draw somewhere.
by the way I have a Optima YellowTop battery which I know is in excellent condition, but have no clue as to the condition of the alternator...
as always thanks in advance
-Matt
#6
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Originally Posted by MadMaxSE-L
um, if you read my first post I have already done that...
#7
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"One tech bulletin I found stated that a fully loaded GM vehicle could have an expected parasitic drain of 25-35mA. Seems like a lot, I think that we try to stay in the 10-15mA range." Quoted from here.
Oh and I didn't think you were being an ***, he clearly didn't read through your first post.
Oh and I didn't think you were being an ***, he clearly didn't read through your first post.
#9
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Originally Posted by KRRZ350
I'm not sure, but I think your next step would be to pull some of relays and check stuff in the power distribution box.
I figured it was somewhere between 10-20mA, but i wasn't sure. in that case, I guess .15A is too much-there's my problem.
thanks for the input
#10
Try throughly cleaning your battery terminals and the two clamps that go on the terminals. Make sure the clamps and well seated and tight. And then take out the bulb in the trunk. In my case - went down to normal. And my battery doesn't keep dying!
#12
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Originally Posted by cannuck
Try throughly cleaning your battery terminals and the two clamps that go on the terminals. Make sure the clamps and well seated and tight. And then take out the bulb in the trunk. In my case - went down to normal. And my battery doesn't keep dying!
Originally Posted by Dan
Are you measuring with the hood open? The alarm system has a sensor on the hood so it might be suming some power when the hood is open.
#13
Keep the meter on it and start pulling fuses until you see a drop in the amount of amp draw. Then diagnose from there.
Sorry, I just missed the last post. Didn't see you already had.
Sorry, I just missed the last post. Didn't see you already had.
#14
mine pulls 250mA, car starts eaily after a week or so.
I noticed BOSE & Auto climate has power all the time, plus the ECU so it might be normal and mine is GLE it might have more drain than a GXE.
I noticed BOSE & Auto climate has power all the time, plus the ECU so it might be normal and mine is GLE it might have more drain than a GXE.
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