4-5 amp draw with key off

[fmj78]

Positive connected to battery post (direct to starter wire).

Negative going through meter.

With no connection between alternator and starter, about a 1 amp draw.

With the brown wires from starter to alternator attached (and the brown wires from ALT to fuse box post disconnected ... no power to car) I get a 4.8 - 5 amp draw.

Any Ideas?

[Bitsyncmaster]

You should not get a 1 amp draw in your first test unless you have the doors open with the door and dome lights on.

Your 5 amp draw looks like your alternator is bad and drawing field current all the time.

[fmj78]

Hey thanks for the reply.

I had that thought too so I got a brand new Motorola from DMC Huston. Same story.

Something else is off. I'm powering the inside of the car in front of the Alt/Starter and the 5 amp draw is there with either the door lock module plugged in or the RPM relay module plugged in. With both unplugged, .23. As soon as the alt is connected back to 4.9 (even with the RPM and Door Modules unplugged)

I have an isolator switch, so not a huge problem, just trying to work out bugs

[D Knight]

Leave your meter hooked up and start pulling fuses 1 at a time. As soon as it drops you’ll at least know what circuit or circuits are having the issue.


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[fmj78]

With the ALT connected, draw is present with ALL fuses, relays, and modules unplugged. With ALT disconnected draw present if either RPM relay or door control module are connected. I think I'm chasing an incorrect ground connection somewhere. Testing the RPM Relay socket, no draw on individual socket terminals (except ground).

The brown wire bundle that connects the inside post to the alternator acts like it is being grounded when connected to the alternator (positive output post)

[gluaisrothaii]

With the ALT connected, draw is present with ALL fuses, relays, and modules unplugged. With ALT disconnected draw present if either RPM relay or door control module are connected. I think I'm chasing an incorrect ground connection somewhere. Testing the RPM Relay socket, no draw on individual socket terminals (except ground).

The brown wire bundle that connects the inside post to the alternator acts like it is being grounded when connected to the alternator (positive output post)

I am working with DMCH on exactly the same issue. Alternator field circuit stays active with ignition off, draws about 4 amps.

My first thread on the alternator issue

http://dmctalk.org/showthread.php?17950-4amp-draw-high-pitched-whine-from-engine-compartment-ignition-off

Best
Ken

[Elvis]

sure it's the field and not a diode ? or the wire to the battery bulb in the dashboard ?

field - take out the regulator with the brushes and measure again.

when still there -> diodes or bulb wire.

5A = 60W = something gets damn hot !

[gluaisrothaii]

sure it's the field and not a diode ? or the wire to the battery bulb in the dashboard ?

field - take out the regulator with the brushes and measure again.

when still there -> diodes or bulb wire.

5A = 60W = something gets damn hot !

Yes. The reason is that I can trigger the 4-5amp draw by applying as little as 0.3V to the field trigger line, and it (usually) stops when I remove the trigger voltage. A failed diode would stay failed, in addition to causing other problems.

60W is a lot, but remember it's being dissipated into a large chunk of metal that is designed to radiate heat efficiently.

[Ron]

I'm betting on the regulator...

[Josh]

Leave your meter hooked up and start pulling fuses 1 at a time. As soon as it drops you’ll at least know what circuit or circuits are having the issue.


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the problem with this is not all the circuits are fused in the car, lol

The alternator and starter connections come to mind, and im not referring to the main feeds (which are also not fused like is all modern cars)

[Ron]

the problem with this is not all the circuits are fused in the car, lol

The alternator and starter connections come to mind, and im not referring to the main feeds (which are also not fused like is all modern cars)Yeah, there are lots of them. But the odds are fair.

For prosperity:

63941

[David T]

Another thing they didn't do, there is no fusible link from the battery. There are SO many things you could do to improve the wiring in the car, from the fuses, to the wires, and connectors, and plugs, to the grounding system.

[Josh]

Another thing they didn't do, there is no fusible link from the battery. There are SO many things you could do to improve the wiring in the car, from the fuses, to the wires, and connectors, and plugs, to the grounding system.

I tackled the ground issues with my car when i had the body off this winter. 4ga front to back, and a special grounding pad to the frame. Junction points throughout to tie in the smaller chassis electronics. No more dim of the lights when the fans or ac kicks in.
I also added in a fusable link on the main battery feed.

[Josh]

Yeah, there are lots of them. But the odds are fair.

For prosperity:

63941

amazingly terrifying isn't it