2002 suburban electrical drain problem

[mhuppert2010]

After 3 hours with my multimeter and electrical knowledge I give up! I have a 12.5v battery drain while my truck sits with everything off. I did a standard individual fuse test to try and isolate the drain but even after I pulled all of the fuses and relays the drain still remains. Please help!!! After three brand new batteries and endless hours of frustration I'd like to fix this problem!

[muff34]

maybe it`s the alt/reg drawing power ,while vehicle is off

[mhuppert2010]

Thanx man, I'm on it!

[mhuppert2010]

No dice on alt/ reg. I also disconnected the feed to the fuse block directly from the battery. The drain is still there, the only thing it could now possibly be is the starter motor on the bottom of the block. Could there be a voltage leak through the starter itself? Does this sound likely?

[muff34]

read somewhere about a computer relay sticking and causing power drain. no fuse to pull. only thing to do is unplug it and see if drain still occurs , or R.A.P (retained accessory power). just my and definately over my head. nothing has been added to vehicle /aftermarket stuff? and you left fuse for interior lights out when you tested circuit

[jdl]

If I read your post correctly, you were testing system voltage. 12.5 volts sounds like system voltage to me.

I think you need to check the amp draw. With the key and everything turned off, the reading should be about 30MA, .030, that spec is just a generic spec, it might go a little either way.

[mhuppert2010]

If I test between the poles of the battery I get 12.7v. If the line side of the battery is connected and the ground side is split from the battery, I test between the ground and the pole of the battery I read a proggressive voltage draw even past the original 12.7v!? I think it's a slow drain between the battery and the starter sol.? Does this happen? Please help!? WTF?!

[muff34]

So have you tested solenoid for power at small wire,With key off ? It shouldn`t be there until ignition is turned to start position

[jdl]

Originally Posted by mhuppert2010

If I test between the poles of the battery I get 12.7v. If the line side of the battery is connected and the ground side is split from the battery, I test between the ground and the pole of the battery I read a proggressive voltage draw even past the original 12.7v!? I think it's a slow drain between the battery and the starter sol.? Does this happen? Please help!? WTF?!

Are you kidding me? With the key off, it's impossible to get higher than system voltage. With both cables loose from the battery, what is your reading across the battery posts? 12.7v?

With voltage, the more live circuits you add to the system, the voltage will drop. As you turn the circuits off one at a time, the voltage will rise, but it can't rise past available system voltage.

What your checking is voltage potential and that is all. You can check voltage to a circuit, even if the circuit isn't live, meaning, there is no current flow.

Now if you want to check current flow, you have to check amp draw.

I'm sure there are people reading this that can explain it better than me. There are thousands of people reading these posts, if my comments are in error, there would be hundreds of people posting up to tell me I'm crazy. I don't see anybody yet posting up to tell me I'm wrong? The reason their not saying anything, is either, they don't know, or my info is correct. Maybe an administrator will post-up.

I don't mind being wrong, it's the only way I learn anything. I don't learn anything by being right.

I just wanted to add, there are plenty of people here, more knowledgeable than I, about electrical systems. I figured they would jump in, it is an interesting discussion. thanks

[jdl]

Here is an example. Hook a testlite to a nine volt battery, the lite comes on. Break the circuit, doesn't matter which end, but say you take the testlite loose from the negative battery terminal. With the voltmeter set on the proper voltage scale, place the leads in series between the end of the testlite and the negative battery terminal. What happens, the lite will not burn, will you get a voltage reading, yes, system voltage. Because the lite won't burn, there is no load on the circuit, but the meter will show system voltage. The meter will just show the voltage difference between point A and point B. There is no load on the circuit.

At least, that is the way I see it. thanks

[uwdtbuds]

hi guys !!!! i had the same problem i found after a month of problem it was the lighted vanity hinge!!!!!!!!!! it was broke an light was on all the time . i cut the wire problem gone!!