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Measuring current draw on battery

Old Nov 24, 2007 | 12:14 PM
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Default Measuring current draw on battery

I'm trying to chase down a dead battery problem on a 97 Jimmy. I used a multimeter to test the battery draw, and I'mgetting 25ma draw which drops to 5.5ma when the radio fuse is pulled. Is this enough to drain a battery over night? Is this a typical amount of draw for the radio circuit? Its a factory radio BTW.

Also, will opening the door wake the BCM? I had the door open (necessary for fuse access...)with the courtesy lamp fuse pulled. The ignition had been off for more than 20 mins before testing (and I didn't turn it on at all during testing).
 
Old Nov 24, 2007 | 12:15 PM
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Default RE: Measuring current draw on battery

BTW I found some good info here that I based my testing on

https://blazerforum.com/m_89775/tm.htm
 
Old Nov 24, 2007 | 06:33 PM
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Default RE: Measuring current draw on battery

I believe that opening the door will wake the BCM. Try removing the door jam switch and then waiting 20 minutes before re-testing.
Rule of thumb for battery parasitic load is ....check the battery reserve capacity and divide by 4. For example if the battery reserve is 90 minutes, then 90/4=22.5 so parasitic load should not exceed 22.5 milli amps.
 
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