12 volt direct drain electrical problem

1983 CADILLAC SEVILLE
40 MILES • 4.1L
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PETER BAGDON
  • MEMBER
  • 2 POSTS
Can you try to help solve a 12v direct drain electrical problem? I just got this car it was was sitting over 30 years. Previous owner put a fuel pump and tank in it. He couldn't get it running. I believe he seriously overcharged it. The new battery he bought went bad. The alternator diodes were shorted. After repairing the alternator I still have a 12v drain. The ignition switch or starter isn't shorted. If I unplug the ignition switch it goes away.There's a wire that's hot after i plug in the switch that goes to a grey ? Junction box ? About at the top of the dashboard looking from below. Any ideas what that is? I know Cadillac was the testing grounds for new things. I have never seen this and it has weird pronglike plugs.
Apr 21, 2021 at 2:19 PM
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ASEMASTER6371
  • CERTIFIED EXPERT
  • 52,796 POSTS
Good evening,

The battery drains from current flow or amps, not voltage. You will always show voltage but you need to measure the current.

I attached a guide for you to follow for checking the drain correctly. The normal draw is 50-75 milliamps.

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/car-battery-dead-overnight

Roy
Apr 21, 2021 at 3:57 PM