Current drain

[1993BlackSHO]

I have been having this problem ever since I got the car back on the road. If it sits for more than 3 days, the battery will be dead. The battery is new and the alternator is doing its job because it only drains if sits. I decided to do a little troubleshooting today and here is what I found. I disconnected the positive battery lead and put an ammeter in ln-line. With the key off and the doors closed so no interior lights are on, I was reading 3 amps. Im sure there will be some kind of drain, but 3 amps seems excessive. Any ideas on where to look next?

 

[Phoenix]

3 amps is way too much , do you have any aftermarket radio/amp/subs?

Remove the light bulbs of the underhood , and trunk and re-test your batt (amps).

 

[1993BlackSHO]

There is no radio or amps currently installed. No under hood light, but I will check the trunk light, althogh I doubt that one bulb by itself pulls 3 amps.

I just thought of something though. I can hook up the meter and start pulling fuses. When the current drops off, that should point me in the right direction.

 

[firstgen89sho]

exactly, that will help pinpoint where your current draw is from.

 

[jelloslug]

I had a mystery current drain in my '90 a while back. It turned out that the main positive power cable had been routed too close to the clutch actuator and the end of the clutch cable was touching the side of the main line. Over time the line got rubbed through and it would ever so slightly ark to ground through the end of the clutch cable. I only found it by accident one night while poking around under the hood.....

 

[firstgen89sho]

I'm guessing that the sparks gave it away????

 

[projectSHO89]

Check the glovebox and trunk lights.

If it's off, then go the route of pulling fuses to find the source of the draw.

FWIW, a 3A draw should **** the battery in a lot less than 3 days.

Steve

Steve

 

[SeanMc]

My current issue is the starter is pulling juice from the battery while the car sits. I thought it was my UDP at first...nope.

 

[1993BlackSHO]

OK I am reviving this thread because I finally got around to looking into this. With the move to TX and new job, I just havent had the time.

OK first of all, I dont know where I got the 3A number from in the first place. I must have had the door open. Actual numbers were 250mA. I started pulling fuses and none of the fuses under the dash had any effect. I found the culprit in the panel under the hood. When I pulled the 40A fuse for the power locks, current went to 10ma. So for now, I can live without the power door locks. Where else does this go? Where should I start looking for the problem? The power locks worked fine so I dont know where to start.

 

[projectSHO89]

Try unplugging the remote keyless entry module.

Steve

 

[1993BlackSHO]

If thats the little black box on the top, far left back wall of the trunk, then I tried that. I read somewhere that the remote keyless module was there, so I gave it a shot and no change.

 

[hawkeye18]

Here you go; this is everything that's powered off that fuse.



Hope this helps! (p.s. this is for a 94)

 

[1993BlackSHO]

Thanks Hawkeye, that should point me in the right direction. I just left the fuse out for now. I can live without power locks and seats for the time being. I should be able to narrow it down now at least.