Short Circuit

[UmadBro]

I have a short in my regal somewhere that drains the battery when it's off.. I took a multimeter and tested the battery and it was giving me a reading even when the car was off. So I went through and removed each fuse to see if it was still giving me a reading and I went through all the fuses and the reading never changed.. Any advice here? Also I have a new battery and alternator.

 

[UmadBro]

Can you delete this, I think I found the short

 

[Slow91z]

The Battery will always read voltage unless it's bad just for future reference.

 

[UmadBro]

Thanks, I realized that after. I switched the multimeter to test amps and was getting .91 amperes when the car was off. I started to remove fuses until the reading went down and it ended up being my "CIG / CLOCK" fuse which sucks cuz there's a lot of wires in it

 

[RmvBfrFlght]

If the radio display stays lit-up at key-off that is the issue. There is a transistor that goes bad in the radio. Someone else discovered how to repair it and posted the info here. I thought I had it locally, but can't find it. A search here should bring up the thread.

RemoveBeforeFlight

 

[UmadBro]

I replaced the radio earlier this year. I took it out and looked at it, and all the wires seem to be wrapped up and not showing... Any suggestions?

Also, why does my "cig / clock" fuse control my cd-player, when I also have a "radio" fuse?

 

[RmvBfrFlght]

The cig/clock fuse is always hot to retain the settings. The radio fuse is only hot in run & accessory positions of the go-key.

RemoveBeforeFlight

 

[TRICKSIXPA]

I found a couple of years ago a drain that was related to my Cigarette lighter. The tabs inside the unit were making contact with the sides after I bent the tabs out, it fixed the problem. I was blowing fuses when I went to use my GPS or cell phone charger.
Make sure your Volt light is coming on when you go to start your car.

 

[UmadBro]

Hmm... Interesting, I'll have to look under the dash more tomorrow. But earlier this summer, that same fuse blew out like 3 times one night when I was going home from work while it was raining, I wonder if that has anything to do with it. It would blow out when I slammed the door even..

 

[davelostmissing]

radio link:
9 milliamp drain at radio.

 

[UmadBro]

Thanks Dave, I read the article. Unfortunately I have an after market cd player though, so that doesn't help me. Also, I am drawing .91, not a mere .009 like they were talking about in the other thread.

I don't know if this makes a difference, but one night this summer while I was driving in the rain, that fuse blew out on me like 3 times. And currently there is a "25" fuse in there instead of a recommended "20." Is that bad?

 

[RmvBfrFlght]

25 is OK, but not ideal. I've had issues with the CIG lighter in another GM that would blow that fuse. The lighter portion now resides in the console. Also check the trunk and under hood lights. Both of those are on that circuit. The antenna motor can continue to run which will run down the battery. Complete list:

Cig-Clk Antenna relay, AC control head, radio capacitor, security indicator, chime module, instrument cluster (digital), radio, cigar lighter, glove box light, engine compartment lite, foot well courtesy lights, power door locks, dome lights, trunk lights, vanity mirror lights.

RemoveBeforeFlight

 

[UmadBro]

How do I test the wires? I don't really understand how to use the multimeter very well.

 

[RmvBfrFlght]

I don't think that you need to test the wires. Although the blowing fuse can toss a can of worms in the process.

Usually when there is a battery drain, such as you measured, it is from some item that is staying powered up. Connect the multi-meter as you did before to measure the amp draw from the battery. Should still be in the 0.900 Amp range.

Now start to disconnect things. Take the bulb out of the truck light, same for under hood light, did the amp draw drop? If so then one of them was staying on.

Same for the rest of the items in the list. Unplug the power antenna connector under the hood. Other lights you should be able to see if they are on. Such as the vanity mirror, dome, or foot wheel lights.

It is just a matter of elimination.

RemoveBeforeFlight

 

[UmadBro]

Thanks guys. Didn't even have to check any wires. The first thing I went to check was the truck bulb, sure enough, even with the car being off for awhile, that thing burnt the shiet out of my fingers. Took it out, tested the draw and it came up 0 woo hoo

I didn't know burnt out bulbs did that, its not like broken inside the glass or anything

 

[Slow91z]

If the bulb was burnt out that would be the same as removing it, the problem is it is staying on when you close the trunk.

 

[UmadBro]

The filaments inside were touching each other, it didn't work, but it was "on" if ya know what I mean. Super hot too

 

[salvageV6]

That's an odd failure but can happen as you found out.

Make sure the trunk light socket is working correctly and shutting off as you close the lid, that's really important.

You can see it shut off when the lid is about 4 inches from being closed, it helps if you are short or bendable.

 

[RmvBfrFlght]

That's an odd failure but can happen as you found out.

Make sure the trunk light socket is working correctly and shutting off as you close the lid, that's really important.

You can see it shut off when the lid is about 4 inches from being closed, it helps if you are short or bendable.

No need to be short or bendable, just climb into the trunk and close it. Easy to see if the light went off...

RemoveBeforeFlight

P.S. I am's joking about this (been a long day)

 

[poppy1440]

No need to be short or bendable, just climb into the trunk and close it. Easy to see if the light went off...

RemoveBeforeFlight

P.S. I am's joking about this (been a long day)

I am having the same I put am amp meter in the circuit and I have a 2.9 amp draw. I have discounted every fuse twice. Disconnected the radio, alarm,tps,alternator,fuel pump,fan relays and virtually every electrical plug I could reach and it remains at 2.9 amps DC. I even swapped amp meters to be sure. My battery will die in 2 days to he point that it won't even turn engine over.
This is the 3rd battery in last past year.
Any suggestions