2002 Pontiac Sunfire Current draw

SPOKANEMAN

MEMBER
2002 PONTIAC SUNFIRE
4 CYL
FWD
AUTOMATIC
34,500 MILES

This car is not being driven much as my Daughter is deployed with the navy. The battery discharges very quickly, (a couple of days when not driven). I noticed when I pulled the cables off to clean them that there was a significant current draw with every thing turned off and the ignition off. It is approximately a 3 amp draw. I pulled fuses until the draw stopped, and it was the instrument cluster fuse that stopped the current draw. With the fuse in, disconnecting and reconnecting the battery causes an audible "click" like a relay closing.

Should there be any current draw on the battery with everything turned off?

Both the battery and the alternator were replaced a couple of years ago with a 96 month battery and a Delco reman alternator.

3 Replies

KEN L

MASTER CERTIFIED MECHANIC
42,796 POSTS

There is three main things that can draw the battery down, first check the cassette tape, see if the tape is caught half in and half out causing the motor in the tape deck to try to run. Next, check the trunk and glove box light. Finally check the electric seat controls make sure the switch is not engaged. Please let me know.

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Sunday, April 20th, 2008 AT 10:24 PM

SPOKANEMAN

MEMBER
2 POSTS

No electric seats, no cassette and no glovebox light. I took the trunk bulb out, but still the same draw.

When I pull the fuse marked "instrument cluster", the draw goes away, so something in the instrument cluster is staying powered up. Also, when I apply current (with the fuse in) I hear what sounds like a relay closing.

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Monday, April 21st, 2008 AT 9:29 AM

KEN L