Where is this current draw coming from?!

[hofmania]

I've been searching all day to find the last .14A of current draw on my car with the key out of the ignition.

I started at around .7A

- LC1 was hooked up direct to power, it was drawing .16A

Now I'm down at .54A

- Pulled fuses under the hood, when I pulled the alternator fuse, it dropped to .14A
- Pulled interior fuses, no luck.
- Disconnected amps, no luck
- Disconnected CD player, no luck

So I am chasing this remaining .14A

Any ideas where this is coming from? Any sneaky spots to look for? What should I do about my alternator?

Thanks in advance. Hoping to get this knocked out tomorrow

 

[Twinturbo120]

Did your car come with a aftermarket radio and alarm?

 

[BIRDCLAWTSi]

Try unplugging the ecu.

I've seen a number of cars that took a half hour or more to "Go to sleep".
The ecu will remain active for a bit in some cars.

I can't speak for the 2g DSM, So I may be off base here, But how long have you waited to see if the draw goes away?

Another thing could be a door switch, Or an alarm.

You can also try unplugging sensors under the hood and see if that helps.

Are you using an amp clamp?

 

[hofmania]

Yes, aftermarket radio and alarm. Disconnected both of them to check.

Have not checked the ECU for it to go to sleep, thanks for that tip!

Not sure what an amp clamp is and I have unplugged most everything under the hood to check.

Thanks for the replies!

 

[Cox Abele]

Not sure what an amp clamp is and I have unplugged most everything under the hood to check.

Let me google that for you

 

[razrman8]

You should be glad that your current draw is what it is. Right now my GSX is drawing 15amps with the key off. The even more worrying part, it's a complete mystery as to where the extra power is coming from...or going for that matter.

 

[BIRDCLAWTSi]

How are you measuring the current?

Do you have a Voltmeter hooked up in parallel to measure current?

 

[hofmania]

How are you measuring the current?

Do you have a Voltmeter hooked up in parallel to measure current?

Multimeter hooked up in parallel using the negative side of the battery terminal. Doors shut. Lights off. Key out of ignition.

It's reading .14 right now and I read that the max that should be present at rest is .05 if not 0.00

 

[poteau]

Amp meter needs to be in series to get an accurate reading. Also make sure you are plugging your positive lead into the amp instead of the voltage.

 

[hofmania]

Have it hooked up as described in

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[steve]

As he says in the video, you hooked it up in series.

That's actually a good accurate video.

 

[hofmania]

Ya, his stuff is pretty helpful when it comes to videos. If I'm ever looking for something "generic" when it comes to cars and want a video, I'll go to his channel.

He still can't help me find this last little bit! I'm going to head out now and disconnect the ECU to see if that's causing the draw.

Also, does the amp draw mean my alternator is bad?

 

[Lou98GSX]

you should be checking for milliamp draw anything over 35 is no good . while you have your meter connected you can pull one fuse at a time until the amp draw drops.

 

[hofmania]

you should be checking for milliamp draw anything over 35 is no good . while you have your meter connected you can pull one fuse at a time until the amp draw drops.

ya...that's exactly what I've been doing. All fuses have been pulled. Maybe it's one of the relays?

 

[BIRDCLAWTSi]

It definitely can be a relay.