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headlight problem ( parasitic drain)
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smokedtuna
Novice
Aug 15, 2009, 5:14 PM
Post #1 of 9
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headlight problem ( parasitic drain)
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ok so i have a chevy 94 s10 pickup 2 wheel drive 4 cyl. and about 2 months ago the head lights quit working so i just used the brights for awhile ....welllll now a couple days ago they stopped working as well . My Battery is dieing with the truck off !!! so i found the circuit causing this (ctsy) (courtesy lamps Headlights)
ok so if i take out that fuse it doesn't drain butttttt .. iv tried to put my test light in series with the ground cable on my battery while leaving the fuse in for that circuit and trying to take things out of the circuit example. headlight switch ,
dome light door switch , cluster gauge, bright switch,but still im having a load on this circuit can anyone relate to this or have any ideas?
It is really frustrating me!!!!! Please Help!!!!!
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Hammer Time
Ultimate Carjunky
/ Moderator
Aug 15, 2009, 10:48 PM
Post #2 of 9
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Re: headlight problem ( parasitic drain)
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You can't use a testlight in this situation.
There is a procedure for finding a battery draw like that.
You will need a digital ammeter and a jumper wire with clips on the ends to do this.
First rig any door switches so you can have a door open without triggering the interior lights and unplug the hood light. Remove one battery cable and attach the meter in series between the battery cable and battery post. Take the jumper wire and also attach it the same way. Leave the jumper wire on for at least 10 minutes to expire all the automatic timers. Now remove the jumper wire and read the meter. Anything over 50ma is too much draw. The way you locate this is to start removing fuses one at a time until the meter drops to normal level. This will be the circuit with something staying on. Determine what components are part of that circuit and check them individually until the problem is isolated.
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We offer help in answering questions, clarifying things or giving advice but we are not a substitute for an on-site inspection by a professional.
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smokedtuna
Novice
Aug 16, 2009, 1:28 AM
Post #3 of 9
(3293 views)
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Re: headlight problem ( parasitic drain)
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i have figured out that it is on the headlight circuit .. i did basicaly the same thing only with a test light ... but i didnt kno if there is lik a relay that comonly shorts out or something else maybe?
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Hammer Time
Ultimate Carjunky
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Aug 16, 2009, 1:32 AM
Post #4 of 9
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Re: headlight problem ( parasitic drain)
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You really can't use a test light for this. It will give you too many false indications. Some draw is normal and acceptable so you have to determine how much is coming from what areas.
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We offer help in answering questions, clarifying things or giving advice but we are not a substitute for an on-site inspection by a professional.
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smokedtuna
Novice
Aug 16, 2009, 8:17 AM
Post #5 of 9
(3283 views)
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Re: headlight problem ( parasitic drain)
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thanks ill try that !
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DanD
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Aug 16, 2009, 10:53 PM
Post #6 of 9
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Re: headlight problem ( parasitic drain)
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Looking at a power distribution wiring diagram for this truck and if by chance, your truck has all these options? The courtesy/tail light fuse also powers up the lights in the sun visor’s vanity mirrors (both visors), dome light and the map light in the rear view mirror.
As far as using a test light to check for draw; it will work for you as long as the draw on the circuit is more then what the test light draws to light its bulb. So as what the Hammer said; an ammeter is your best bet when looking for something like this.
Dan.
Canadian "EH"
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Hammer Time
Ultimate Carjunky
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Aug 16, 2009, 11:16 PM
Post #7 of 9
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Re: headlight problem ( parasitic drain)
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The reason the poster was advised not to use the test light is because it will not distinguish between acceptable and normal draws and the excessive and problem draws. The amount of draw will also be very helpful in determining what kind of component is staying on.
The testlight is more of a yes or no type answer and with the electronics on board that have some constant draws, yes or no just won't help much.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
We offer help in answering questions, clarifying things or giving advice but we are not a substitute for an on-site inspection by a professional.
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DanD
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Aug 17, 2009, 8:06 AM
Post #8 of 9
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Re: headlight problem ( parasitic drain)
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Have I misread or mistype something here?
I was and still am agreeing with you that an ammeter is the proper tool to use here. LOL
Dan.
Canadian "EH"
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Dusty54701
New User
Dec 16, 2009, 1:21 PM
Post #9 of 9
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Re: headlight problem ( parasitic drain)
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I had a 93 with the same problem and worked on it for over a month tracing all the circuits and found the problem it was the ground for the dash this fixed all the problems I was having in a matter of seconds.. Located on the drivers side under the plastic kick plate. I hope this fixes you problem.
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