LT1 Based Engine Tech 1993-1997 LT1/LT4 Engine Related

Odd battery drain issue

Old Sep 4, 2004 | 10:14 AM
  #1  
Fastbird93's Avatar
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Odd battery drain issue

Searched already, before anyone says it. I didn't find what I was looking for.

I've got a car which will be dead within a matter of a couple days to about 4-5 at the absolute most.

I put a DVM on it in series, and was coming up with about a .015 V draw. I cross checked this against my other T/A and was only getting .005 there. So, I put it across the battery, once without the neg cable hooked up, once with. Without the neg cable attached, I go 11.8 volts. WITH the cable attached, I'd get right at about 11.6 Volts.

Is a .2 volt draw enough to kill a battery in just a couple of days???
Old Sep 4, 2004 | 10:22 AM
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Re: Odd battery drain issue

You don't draw voltage you draw current. The slight differences you are measuring in voltage could be from the meter itself or a slightly worse lead connection or more resistance on the test point. You'll need to measure current flow at every circuit not switched. Start at the fuse blocks and fusible links. Also check to the starter and even at the alternator. It's also possible your battery is getting weak.
Old Sep 4, 2004 | 10:44 AM
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Re: Odd battery drain issue

The battery has been tested and proven to be fine, on a load testing machine.

I've done just like is suggested here on the site by setting the DVM up in series with the battery. This one has got me stumped for some reason.
Old Sep 4, 2004 | 10:54 AM
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Re: Odd battery drain issue

OOPS!!!! I had the DVM set to V/DC instead of Amps. I rechecked it with the right setting this time and on the black car couldn't show any pull, and on the purple car showed .078-.080 amp draw.

thanks for bringing that to my attention.
Old Sep 4, 2004 | 10:59 AM
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Re: Odd battery drain issue

The first two things connected to the battery are the starter and alternator. You'll have to elminate one circuit at a time untill you find the culprit.
Old Sep 4, 2004 | 11:25 AM
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Re: Odd battery drain issue

Originally Posted by Lyle A
The first two things connected to the battery are the starter and alternator. You'll have to elminate one circuit at a time untill you find the culprit.
I haven't tried disconnecting those, but I just went and pulled all the fuses (one at a time) and relays both under hood and in the driver side of the dash and nothing changed.

Guess it's time to disconnect the alternator and starter. Just the power cables off of those two, right?
Old Sep 4, 2004 | 11:26 AM
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Re: Odd battery drain issue

Originally Posted by Fastbird93
OOPS!!!! I had the DVM set to V/DC instead of Amps. I rechecked it with the right setting this time and on the black car couldn't show any pull, and on the purple car showed .078-.080 amp draw.

thanks for bringing that to my attention.
I find it hard to beleive the black car didn't show any draw at all. Just the ECM and radio memory are gonna cost you a 1/10 of an amp or so.

You say the purple car showed .078-.080 amp draw, Thats less than a 1/10 of an amp. If your battery is really good, it would take weeks to killi at that rate. But that aside. Hook up your amp meter agian, and pull fuses one at a time till the draw goes away.
Old Sep 4, 2004 | 11:38 AM
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Re: Odd battery drain issue

Originally Posted by RE AND CHERYL
You say the purple car showed .078-.080 amp draw, Thats less than a 1/10 of an amp. If your battery is really good, it would take weeks to killi at that rate. But that aside. Hook up your amp meter agian, and pull fuses one at a time till the draw goes away.

I tried that. No changes at all to the draw of .080 Amps.
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