Big Parasitic Draw

[Gibson]

OK, did some searches, but this seems to be unique.
Have had a parasitic draw that would almost flatten the battery overnight.
Found that something in the circuit for the courtesy lights was the culprit.
Using a Fluke meter that circuit was drawing about FOUR amps.
I pulled that fuse, and no more problems with flat battery.
But,, if their was a real "short circuit" it should easily blow the 10 amp fuse. and none of the lights in that circuit draw anywhere near 4 amps.
Jeepers, even if every light on the circuit was on it wouldn't be that much.
At ~4 amps, we're looking at about 50 watts of draw.
Anybody got any ideas.
Oh,, rig is a '97 K2500 Sub.

 

[SUBURBAN5]

So with the truck off and battery disconnect as of right now how much draw is being pulled?

 

[Gibson]

So with the truck off and battery disconnect as of right now how much draw is being pulled?

Basically nothing, perhaps only what the computer needs.

 

[618 Syndicate]

What kind of truck?
Aftermarket extras?

 

[Gibson]

What kind of truck?
Aftermarket extras?

'97 K2500 Suburban
Only aftermarket device is radio/CD unit, and it's off and draws nothing when the key is off.
Whatever it is, it's in the circuit that the courtesy fuse uses.
Everything else that uses power works as normal.

 

[SUBURBAN5]

Basically nothing, perhaps only what the computer needs.

Ok cause I have a 98 burb. That's has a small draw. With the battery disconnected and the meter hooked up in series for mv its pulling .012 we've traced it to the ign1 fuse and battery fuse in the hood fuse block

 

[618 Syndicate]

Okay, was making sure it wasn't a brake controller or some other add on.
Are the cigarette lighters on the courtesy lamp circuit?

 

[Gibson]

Ok cause I have a 98 burb. That's has a small draw. With the battery disconnected and the meter hooked up in series for mv its pulling .012 we've traced it to the ign1 fuse and battery fuse in the hood fuse block

Right, I knew it was real small, but had forgotten what the exact number was.

Okay, was making sure it wasn't a brake controller or some other add on.
Are the cigarette lighters on the courtesy lamp circuit?

Yeah, their is a trailer brake controller, but it's not part of the courtesy circuit.
I'll have to check the lighters,, I've never used them.

 

[618 Syndicate]

Disconnect the brake controller and see if that solves it, and check the lighters for coins.

 

[Gibson]

Disconnect the brake controller and see if that solves it

Controller already disconnected.
I'll check the lighters,, but right now it's cold and raining and I'm not going out to mess around with it.
I wouldn't think that their are coins in the lighters,, I've been driving this rig for 13 years, and this problem is pretty recent.