My battery has been draining down pretty badly lately and I checked for parasitic draw and got between 4.5A and 5.5A. Disconnected amp power cables and pulled the fuses for my headlight wiring harnesses and saw no change. Before I start ripping things apart, can anyone tell me what some common causes are?
And here I was excited to take it up to BIR for CRA weekend. I havent driven it up there all year because Im usually racing so I ride in a van. This month im somewhat crippled so Im just working. Anyway...
Common parasitic draws?
02 with 5+ amp parasitic draw.
- yourgrandma
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02 with 5+ amp parasitic draw.
02 SSEi-Turning money into tire smoke, very efficiently.


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Rusgreim
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Re: 02 with 5+ amp parasitic draw.
Fan relays staying energized.
Russell (Rus or Rusty)
White 2000 SLE - 161k Miles
Current Mods - Transgo Shift Kit, 180* Drilled Thermostat, NGK TR55 & Belden Plug Wires, Suspension Energy Endlink Upgrade, "Stock" 12-Way Power Seats, "Stock" Heated Seats, "Stock" Homelink GDO, Cleared Corners, Pins & Dealer Badge Removed, 2002 56I Center Console, Dash Trim, Steering Wheel and Shifter Swap, Auto-Dimming RV Mirror, Pioneer AVH-P4000DVD MP3/USB Headunit w/ Steering Wheel Controls and iPhone Music Interface, Hood Protector, Gutted Airbox w/ K&N Filter.
Mods in Progress - SSEi Inflator with Stock controls, Chrome "Swoopies" (Have rims, need tires)
Future Mods - Viper 5701 Remote Start with Smart Start and 35% Window Tinting
White 2000 SLE - 161k Miles
Current Mods - Transgo Shift Kit, 180* Drilled Thermostat, NGK TR55 & Belden Plug Wires, Suspension Energy Endlink Upgrade, "Stock" 12-Way Power Seats, "Stock" Heated Seats, "Stock" Homelink GDO, Cleared Corners, Pins & Dealer Badge Removed, 2002 56I Center Console, Dash Trim, Steering Wheel and Shifter Swap, Auto-Dimming RV Mirror, Pioneer AVH-P4000DVD MP3/USB Headunit w/ Steering Wheel Controls and iPhone Music Interface, Hood Protector, Gutted Airbox w/ K&N Filter.
Mods in Progress - SSEi Inflator with Stock controls, Chrome "Swoopies" (Have rims, need tires)
Future Mods - Viper 5701 Remote Start with Smart Start and 35% Window Tinting
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myfirstbonnie
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2013 Buick Regal GS - Location: Hillsboro, Oregon
Re: 02 with 5+ amp parasitic draw.
Monitor the amp draw and pull one fuse at a time to isolate which circuit it is.
Last edited by myfirstbonnie on Fri Aug 20, 2010 12:57 am, edited 1 time in total.
- RJolly87
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Re: 02 with 5+ amp parasitic draw.
This is the answer.myfirstbonnie wrote:Monitor the amp draw and pull one fuse at a time to isolate which circuit it is.
~Randall~


1993 Buick Park Avenue - 197k - Some odds and ends done - Simply won't die
1994 Buick Regal - 78k - Bone stock - Always ready for a good kicking
1990 Oldsmobile 88 - Gone to a better place


1993 Buick Park Avenue - 197k - Some odds and ends done - Simply won't die
1994 Buick Regal - 78k - Bone stock - Always ready for a good kicking
1990 Oldsmobile 88 - Gone to a better place
- yourgrandma
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Re: 02 with 5+ amp parasitic draw.
RJolly87 wrote:This is the answer.myfirstbonnie wrote:Monitor the amp draw and pull one fuse at a time to isolate which circuit it is.
This answer is a PITA!!
Figured Id drop it out there over the weekend and see if anyone had a good place to start. Even once I find the circuit, its not likely to be obvious...
Fans arent running, btw.
I'll have to start at it tomorrow. Thx guys.
02 SSEi-Turning money into tire smoke, very efficiently.


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Rusgreim
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Re: 02 with 5+ amp parasitic draw.
The fans don't have to run to be a parasitic draw. My work van's relay was stuck closed and would kill the battery overnight and there was no outward signs.
Russell (Rus or Rusty)
White 2000 SLE - 161k Miles
Current Mods - Transgo Shift Kit, 180* Drilled Thermostat, NGK TR55 & Belden Plug Wires, Suspension Energy Endlink Upgrade, "Stock" 12-Way Power Seats, "Stock" Heated Seats, "Stock" Homelink GDO, Cleared Corners, Pins & Dealer Badge Removed, 2002 56I Center Console, Dash Trim, Steering Wheel and Shifter Swap, Auto-Dimming RV Mirror, Pioneer AVH-P4000DVD MP3/USB Headunit w/ Steering Wheel Controls and iPhone Music Interface, Hood Protector, Gutted Airbox w/ K&N Filter.
Mods in Progress - SSEi Inflator with Stock controls, Chrome "Swoopies" (Have rims, need tires)
Future Mods - Viper 5701 Remote Start with Smart Start and 35% Window Tinting
White 2000 SLE - 161k Miles
Current Mods - Transgo Shift Kit, 180* Drilled Thermostat, NGK TR55 & Belden Plug Wires, Suspension Energy Endlink Upgrade, "Stock" 12-Way Power Seats, "Stock" Heated Seats, "Stock" Homelink GDO, Cleared Corners, Pins & Dealer Badge Removed, 2002 56I Center Console, Dash Trim, Steering Wheel and Shifter Swap, Auto-Dimming RV Mirror, Pioneer AVH-P4000DVD MP3/USB Headunit w/ Steering Wheel Controls and iPhone Music Interface, Hood Protector, Gutted Airbox w/ K&N Filter.
Mods in Progress - SSEi Inflator with Stock controls, Chrome "Swoopies" (Have rims, need tires)
Future Mods - Viper 5701 Remote Start with Smart Start and 35% Window Tinting
- yourgrandma
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Re: 02 with 5+ amp parasitic draw.
Rusgreim wrote:The fans don't have to run to be a parasitic draw. My work van's relay was stuck closed and would kill the battery overnight and there was no outward signs.
Will check as soon as I replace the fuse in my multimeter.
The battery doesnt seem to want to take a charge, either. I drove to work with everything off and disconnected it when i shut off the car, but it still wouldnt start. Its also taking a really long time to start when I do have the power to crank it properly. Not sure if its related or just a coincidental misfortune.
02 SSEi-Turning money into tire smoke, very efficiently.


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Mark Fahey
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Re: 02 with 5+ amp parasitic draw.
A failed diode in the alternator can cause this problem so you want to have the alternator checked.

