How many amps when truck is off????

[whiteboy_77_77]

My batteries keep goin dead , i have both new batteries and a new alternator,
if i let the truck sit for more than 2 days it wont start, i hooked a multimeter to it and seen when the truck isnt running and hood light off and interior lights off i have a 2.9amp draw, just wondering how much of a draw any one elce has????? seems like alot to me but im not to sure,
Thanks Mike.

[codyrock87]

That seems a little excessive, pull fuses one at a time and watch the meter. If the current flow slows or stops you now know what circuit it is. I believe less than 1a for computer vehicles

[Scoutin]

What you are seeing is way too much draw if you are taking an amp reading after the truck has been off for 5 min or so. you should be only drawing milli Amps (mA), however I do not remember how many is normal. I had a similar problem with my Explorer and after checking the alternator and pulling fuses it turned out to be the battery. if after 5 min or so you still have the 2.9 amp draw then codyrock is right you will need to pull fuses to eliminate the draw. I have also heard that a bad diode in an alternator will cause batteries to draw down over time as well, but I do not know how true it is.

[Geoff941]

Please post what you find to be the issue. I have a similar issue, but a lower draw.

[whiteboy_77_77]

i pulled some fuses and found when i pull my fuse for the cluster (speedo) i here a relay or sumthing click and the draw goes down to about .18 amp witch seems better , the only thing in the speedo i can thing of using power would be the theft light but that shouldnt draw **** all. i know these trucks are know for the fuse box goin bad aswell as the gem module, and ideas guys???
Thanks Mike.

[Scoutin]

You might try a search on the web for an electrical drawing. Most of the time the vehicle manufacturer will only put a general description of what that fuse controls. There may be 5 or more things running off of the fuse labeled speedo. I will try and look when I get home to see what I have for electrical drawings that might be of some help. .18 amps sounds much better. I could also be a stuck relay, but without a drawing I would not know where to start.

[whiteboy_77_77]

yeah i kinda think its a stuck relay, but i dont know where to start looking haha

[ianstew]

gem is where id start

[JSchuricht]

Do you have anything tapped into the tach? I have heard of remote starts drawing down the battery when connected to the tach without isolation.

[ianstew]

Originally Posted by Scoutin

What you are seeing is way too much draw if you are taking an amp reading after the truck has been off for 5 min or so. you should be only drawing milli Amps (mA), however I do not remember how many is normal. I had a similar problem with my Explorer and after checking the alternator and pulling fuses it turned out to be the battery. if after 5 min or so you still have the 2.9 amp draw then codyrock is right you will need to pull fuses to eliminate the draw. I have also heard that a bad diode in an alternator will cause batteries to draw down over time as well, but I do not know how true it is.

a bad diode will most certainly draw down your batteries. been there done that lol