Voltage Drain

MUDDSHARK1308

MEMBER
CHEVROLET S-10

I have a 1989 S-10 with 4.3 V6, Automatic and Tahoe package. It has a slow battery drain. We disconnected the main feed to fuse box on the firewall and it stopped the drain. Could it be in the ignition in the column?
I have several people that think it may be the problem. How do I remove ignition?

2 Replies

SERVICE WRITER

MECHANIC
9,123 POSTS

Re-connect main feed and check draw on each circuit by removing one fuse at a time until draw is around 30 milliamp or so (normal). Then you will know what circuit it's on.

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Friday, August 17th, 2007 AT 7:24 PM

RASMATAZ

MECHANIC
75,992 POSTS

What you just did was disconnect the source of the short circuit-

Case Drainage:

Do this with the voltmeter put neg. Lead to neg. Terminal of battery. Now probe the top of the battery with the positive lead any readings other than.002 you have a case drainage. Clean up with baking soda and water

Parasitic Drain 30milliamps down and better.

You need to follow Mr. SW advise-Hence in the event you remove all the fuses and drainage is still there-disconnect the alternator if that kills the drain you have found your bad friend in the alternator called Diodes- If not keep going we're watching you

You sure the battery is not sulfated. To check do the 3-minute test, apply a 35amp charge to the battery within 3-minutes if battery voltage goes beyond 15.5 volts bingo the battery is sulfated.

Good Luck