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Battery Drain

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Old 03-08-2010, 07:18 PM
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Default Battery Drain

The old 1992 Bonneville my wife still likes to drive has an intermitant drain.I put an ampmeter in the positive cable I get a pulse every 30 seconds it pulls about 3-5 amps then stops and does it again.The battery goes dead in about 10 hours,but might go for 3 to 4 weeks before doing it again.I have found the Maxi Fuse 40 Amp marked horn & interior lamps stops the draw when removed. I have been told the alternator can cause a similar problem but I have removed it from the car so I know this is not it. The car has fog lights and the automatic light at dark headlights.Does this sound familiar to anybody? This has been such a good car we bought a nice 2004 SLE but the wife still likes the old one so I try keep it running too. Thanks Dennis
Old 03-08-2010, 07:27 PM
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Does your car have a ELS? Try pulling that fuse. If the lamp fuse is the only one that corrects this problem, you will have to start tracking down the wires looking for a short.
Old 03-08-2010, 07:53 PM
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What is ELS
Old 03-08-2010, 07:55 PM
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Leveling system
Old 03-08-2010, 08:01 PM
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Sorry didn't know that ,no this car does not but the 2004 does.
Old 03-08-2010, 08:09 PM
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OK, I guess it'* time to start checking wires and bulb sockets.
Old 03-09-2010, 07:27 AM
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ELC - electronic leveling control

Easiest way to find this issue will be to put someone by the ampmeter and pull fuses one at a time. When you find the draw, then you know the items involved and check just those items.
Old 03-10-2010, 08:48 AM
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I had a similar problem recently and it turned out to be the power antenna relay in the trunk.
Old 03-10-2010, 06:43 PM
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Thanks for the ideas,I pulled all the fuses one at a time but none of them changed the draw, only taking the 40 amp maxi fuse marked horn &int lmps stops it.There has to be something on that circuit that is hot all the time,I am wondering about the RAP relay,I don't know if most of these relays are interchangeable like the ones under the maxi fuses under the hood,if so I will probably buy one and start trying it in different locations.Do relays do this when they are bad,or are they doing their job but something is asking for power? Thanks Dennis
Old 03-10-2010, 06:48 PM
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Try unplugging the horn and see if that helps?


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