2005 TC24 - Electrical draw - Killing battery

[jbirdmotox]

Hello,
I'm dealing with a constant electrical draw that is killing my 2005 TC24 battery. Was hoping I could get some opinions on what is normal vs not. I have the operators manual with a wiring diagram so I know what wires are going where.
Here is what I have done so far and the result.
1) Disconnected negative battery cable and tested voltage between battery post and negative cable. Result: 12v+ draw. I think this should be 0v with key off etc?
2) Pulled every fuse from the fuse box. Result: still have 12v+ draw.
3) Pulled large 40amp fuse in the area of the starter motor. Diagram shows this feeds the ignition switch. Result: no more draw. 0v.

This is as far as I have gone. Would like to confirm if ignition switch should still be pulling power when key is off?

Thanks,
Jon

 

[Roadworthy]

I don't know the TC24 so I'll speak generally. Unless you have some form of on board computer there should be no draw when the ignition is off. If you have a computer the draw is normally less than half an amp. You are speaking of draw like it's a voltage thing. It's not. Remove the terminal from the battery and put an ammeter in series. Most will read up to ten amps if properly connected. You may then determine how much draw is there. That may give some clue what's happening. You could have a wire worn through, a shorted diode in the alternator, or any of a number of other things. Good luck.

 

[WranglerX]

Disconnect alternator (it has one right) ...Might be bad diodes in alternator causing draw... IF no onboard computer the should be no parasitic drain with key off...

The 40 amp fuse to ignition switch may also feed other thing besides ignition switch.... I would look at connections to/at ignition switch for possible fault (source) ...

One thing I have done is put test lamp in series between battery post and cable, And if test light lights, then start removing and replace each wire "connection" one at time till light goes out, the one that causes light to go out is probably in direction of problem...

This could be you new best friend...

Dale

 

[jbirdmotox]

OK thanks for the confirmation on what should happen with the key off. I was using a multi-meter but obviously not correctly. Haha. I'll test again with it set to the 10A setting. I assume it's a small draw since it takes a couple weeks of sitting for it to kill it.
I can see in the diagram that it does go from the fuse to the alternator then to the ignition switch. Doesn't look like any place else in between. So I'll start with the alternator and keep moving up stream.

 

[Doofy]

If all else fails, add a master battery disconnect switch. Sometimes these parasitic draw problems are just not worth the grief.

 

[jbirdmotox]

Just did a some further testing using the multi-meter correctly. I have a 0.03 amp draw on the rear flasher/directional circuit. If I pull the 15 amp fuse for that circuit the draw drops to 0. I can hear a tiny click when I hook the meter between the neg post and neg cable so something is "kicking" on.
If I have some time on a crappy day I might dig further. Or I might just leave the fuse pulled...

Thanks for the suggestions!!!!

 

[Doofy]

Just did a some further testing using the multi-meter correctly. I have a 0.03 amp draw on the rear flasher/directional circuit. If I pull the 15 amp fuse for that circuit the draw drops to 0. I can hear a tiny click when I hook the meter between the neg post and neg cable so something is "kicking" on.
If I have some time on a crappy day I might dig further. Or I might just leave the fuse pulled...

Thanks for the suggestions!!!!

I have even gone as far as wiring a toggle switch in to a fuse. Mine was for a power saver relay that never would de-energize as it was designed to do. I did wire a fuse in line with the switch to maintain protection (the fuse in the fuse box had to be blown though).

 

[Peter 315]

Just did a some further testing using the multi-meter correctly. I have a 0.03 amp draw on the rear flasher/directional circuit. If I pull the 15 amp fuse for that circuit the draw drops to 0. I can hear a tiny click when I hook the meter between the neg post and neg cable so something is "kicking" on.
If I have some time on a crappy day I might dig further. Or I might just leave the fuse pulled...

Thanks for the suggestions!!!!

Did you check the relays to see if one is sticking on....:2cents:

 

[WranglerX]

IT seems you may have "found" it, it may be a simple fix...

Dale