Generation III External Engine LS1 | LS6 | Bolt-Ons | Intakes | Exhaust | Ignition | Accessories
Sponsored by:
Sponsored by:

Car won't start. Constant draw on battery

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old Sep 15, 2004 | 03:32 PM
  #1  
Bowtieman4life's Avatar
Thread Starter
TECH Resident
iTrader: (1)
 
Joined: Apr 2003
Posts: 857
Likes: 0
From: Austin, Tx
Unhappy Car won't start. Constant draw on battery

Well it turns out I have some electrical problems. It started a while ago with the alarm going off over and over for no reason. Then my battery went dead everytime it sat for a while. Now the car won't start unless you push start it. I removed the starter and had it tested. It's fine. I disconnected the ground wire and ran a circuit tester between the battery and the ground and sure enough the light came on indicating I have a steady draw. I disconnected my starter but the light was still on. I removed ever sing fuse and the light was still on indicated a draw. I finally disconnected the cable to the fuse box and the light went off.

Has anyone heard of a fuse box going bad? What else can it be? Any ideas? Any suggestions will be greatly appreciated.

Thanks
Reply
Old Sep 15, 2004 | 06:43 PM
  #2  
Bowtieman4life's Avatar
Thread Starter
TECH Resident
iTrader: (1)
 
Joined: Apr 2003
Posts: 857
Likes: 0
From: Austin, Tx
Default

I took the fuse boxes apart and found that the draw came from three wires that where connected to the power cable connecting to the second box that deals with inj, starter, and so on. The power cable starts at the battery and connects to the first fuse box(closest to the drivers seat), Then another red cable connects the power cable to the next fuse box (closest to the front). the three wire are connected to the same bolt that the connecting power cable is connected to. Two of them (grey in color) are connected to one female the other is solo. All three are slightly thicker that the other fuseable wires but a third as thick as the power cable. They have fusable wire written on all of them. Does anyone know where these wires lead. I think its my alarm but I am not sure. Its the constant draw on my battery.

What do you think guys.
Reply
Old Sep 15, 2004 | 06:52 PM
  #3  
cyphur's Avatar
TECH Senior Member
iTrader: (10)
 
Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 8,009
Likes: 0
From: North Texas
Default

Hmm Thats funky. Where's the alarm located? If you can, pull it and see what happens. Since it started with your alarm, it'd be logical that its the source of issues. Something to check out.

Also might try posting this in the Stereo and Electronics section, I'm sure someone's gone through something similar.
Reply
Old Sep 15, 2004 | 11:42 PM
  #4  
Bowtieman4life's Avatar
Thread Starter
TECH Resident
iTrader: (1)
 
Joined: Apr 2003
Posts: 857
Likes: 0
From: Austin, Tx
Default

I bypassed the starter relay in the fuse box and it started. {THe big grey.} I wasn't getting and power to the silenoid. It started working fine. I then inserted the relay again and it works fine. WTF. This kind of **** drives me crazy. All good now but it took a long time to track everything down.

Last edited by Bowtieman4life; Sep 16, 2004 at 12:15 AM.
Reply
Old Sep 16, 2004 | 07:11 AM
  #5  
Grimes's Avatar
TECH Addict
iTrader: (3)
 
Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 2,636
Likes: 2
From: Northern NJ
Default

oh, so did you end up replacing or just removing the relay? those suckers are a b!tch to get out! Either way, good info bowtie
Reply
Old Sep 16, 2004 | 09:30 PM
  #6  
wrencher's Avatar
wrencher
20 Year Member
iTrader: (2)
 
Joined: Aug 2002
Posts: 4,762
Likes: 2
From: Chicagoland
Default

Originally Posted by Bowtieman4life
I disconnected the ground wire and ran a circuit tester between the battery and the ground and sure enough the light came on indicating I have a steady draw.
Running a test light between negative battery post & its cable & see-ing a light is no longer a test for a draw since the mid 80's.
There is suppost to be a draw on our newer cars. The PCM/VCM, ABS/TCS VATS, SRS, BCM, RKE module, radio, & others all have a memory to retain.
They all draw upon the battery even with the key off. You disconnecting the fuse box/bulkhead connector is dening them that. You should see a draw that is normal with the test light. The way to test for it now is with an amp meter in line the same way as with the test light method from B-4. You should not have more than 50 milli-amp draw on the system once it "times out". Otherwords give it 20-30 min. once you hook it up for every module to power up & go into the "sleep" mode. Then you can diagnois for you draw. Fun huh?
Reply
Old Sep 17, 2004 | 12:36 AM
  #7  
Bowtieman4life's Avatar
Thread Starter
TECH Resident
iTrader: (1)
 
Joined: Apr 2003
Posts: 857
Likes: 0
From: Austin, Tx
Default

yeh! I figured it out the hard way. Live and learn. I am an old school guy that is trying to learn the new ways. Thanks
Reply




All times are GMT -5. The time now is 03:24 PM.

story-0
Topdon ONE vs. Artidiag 800 BT2: Which is the Diagnostic Tablet For You?

Slideshow: We take a close look at the ONE and Artidiag 800BT2 diagnostic tools from Topdon and the reasons to buy one over the other.

By Pouria Savadkouei | 2026-05-28 11:05:11


VIEW MORE
story-1
Gas Monkey Built a 6-Wheel Ferrari Testarossa With a Corvette LT4 Engine

Slideshow: The controversial Ferrari F6 swaps its original flat-12 for a Corvette Z06-derived LT4 V8 and sends power to four rear wheels through a custom-built drivetrain.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-26 18:23:54


VIEW MORE
story-2
7 Most Reliable High-Performance Engines GM Has Ever Built

Slideshow:These GM engines didn't just make huge power, they survived abuse, boost, track days, and six-digit mileage with a reputation for refusing to quit.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-21 16:45:27


VIEW MORE
story-3
Amazing '71 Camaro Restomod Is Modern Muscle Car Under the Skin

Slideshow: This heavily modified 1971 Camaro mixes classic muscle car styling with a fifth-generation Camaro interior and modern LS3 power.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-12 18:06:42


VIEW MORE
story-4
6 Common C5 Corvette Failures and What's Involved In Repairing Them

Slideshow: From wobbling harmonic balancers to failed EBCMs, these are the issues that define long-term C5 ownership and what repairs typically involve.

By Pouria Savadkouei | 2026-05-07 18:44:57


VIEW MORE
story-5
Retro Modern Bandit Pontiac Trans AM Comes With Burt Reynolds' Autograph

Slideshow: A modern Camaro transformed into a retro icon, this limited-run "Bandit" build blends nostalgia with brute force in a way few revivals manage.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-04-21 13:57:02


VIEW MORE
story-6
Top 10 Greatest Cadillac V Series Performance Models Ever, Ranked

Slideshow: Cadillac didn't just crash the high-performance luxury vehicle party, it showed up loud, supercharged, and occasionally a little unhinged...

By Pouria Savadkouei | 2026-04-16 10:05:15


VIEW MORE
story-7
Top 10 Most Powerful Chevy Trucks Ever Made!

Slideshow: Top ten most powerful Chevy trucks ever made

By | 2026-03-25 09:22:26


VIEW MORE
story-8
Hennessey's New Supercharged Silverado ZR2 Has 700 HP

Slideshow: Hennessey has turned the Silverado ZR2 into a 700-hp off-road monster with supercharged V8 power and a limited production run.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-03-24 18:57:52


VIEW MORE
story-9
Coachbuilt N2A Anteros Is an LS2-Powered C6 Corvette In Italian Clothes

Slideshow: A one-off sports car that looks like a vintage Italian exotic-but hides a C6 Corvette underneath-just sold for the price of a new mid-engine Corvette.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-03-23 18:53:41


VIEW MORE