more and more electrial problems...

[92rsAWD4me]

Ok well among a list of other issues im having, the battery dies if i leave it connected over night. I did a test light check for a short according to the service manual. I clipped my test light on the disconnected negative terminal and touched the other end to the negative terminal and i lit right up. The manual says that this means there is a draw (short) on the system. The problem I have is where do I start looking. Also when the car is running and i try to hit some boost i hit what feels like fuel cut, the check engine light comes on, but when i lift off the gas it goes right off. I drove it to my garage and when i parked it the CEL came on, the rpms surged and then it stalled and wouldnt start again. I didnt get a chance to check my CEL because I had to go to work and was going to check it in the morning but the battery was too dead and I disconnected it to do the test. Can this all be connected or am I looking at different issues. If they can be connected where do i look??

 

[92rsAWD4me]

nobody can help with this??

 

[HIGHPSI4]

The battery drain could be the ECU. Boost feels like fuel cut could be fuel cut, stopped up fuel filter or knock sensor.

 

[luv2rallye]

Finding short: http://www.dsmtuners.com/forums/art...-partial-short-battery-drain.html#post1496998

 

[spawn87]

well since apperantly a short in the system has been ID i say read the codes on the computer to see what kind of damaged or problem is accuring...to give you an idea of what or where the short could be comming from...

just be ready to spend a lot of time on this cause electrical is a pain.

 

[92rsAWD4me]

Ok well I have done a visual check of all the fuses under the dash and in the engine compartment and they all look good. I also continued to check for a short by connecting test light between the disconnected negative cable and the negative battery terminal to see if it lights up. Well it of course lights up, and I took out one fuse at a time rechecking for the light. After taking out all fuses and fusible links and testing it I still am lost since I never found one that made the light not come on. The only fusible link that I couldn't remove was the 80amp alternator fusible link. I couldn't get it out and I don't know if I am missing some trick to it or what... any ideas on how to get it out without getting angry and just breaking it off..

 

[92rsAWD4me]

Just an update.. I fixed the drain it was a broken passenger side door switch which was constantly grounded out (open). I replaced a bunch of stuff and it was a 4 dollar scrap yard part that fixed it... go figure.. As for the idle.. The surge was bad isc and also the idle had not been properly adjusted. I also took the time to make my own ground for the throttle body since the ground strap was missing (as is pretty common) and these do thing have stabilized my idle. It is still rough and I am working it but it stays right around 700-800rpm it just kind of sounds like a small muscle car but I don't have aftermarket cams (that I know of). If I have to I will start a new thread about the rough idle but for now I will be searching for boost and vacuum leaks and doing other stuff. Thank you for all of your input on this subject.

 

[nyTalonTsi]

Thats why dsms are so great. Its good you got that fixed, my '95 had a similar problem with battery drain and i had a similar resolution.