how many mA short is ok

[GN-231]

I tested my car for a short with a test probe and the light didn't even come on, but when I put an ampere meter in line I got a reading of 15 mA?? When I unplugged the delay relay, the mA dropped down to 11 mA??
Do these sounds like acceptable values or should I start pulling fuses???
Thanks,

 

[Steve Wood]

I think that is okay....did you unplug the underhood light? also remove the trunk lite bulb and make sure your glove box lite is not on.

It will pull a little current for the radio settings, alarm, if it has one, etc.

 

[GN-231]

Thanks Steve,
I tested the current with the trunk light on and that definitely lite up the light probe! The trunk light alone pulled over 400 mA because it blew a fuse in my digital meter!!!

I found some information on the net that leads me to believe that 11 mA a small draw. The net said if you are pulling over 120 mA then you should maybe pull some fuses to see if you have a small short.

 

[Steve Wood]

I think you just bought a bum battery....let's hope so.