Battery draw ???? help needed.

[1TONY1]

My battery has always went dead after 4 days of sitting. I have noticed that the door lock lights stay on all the time. While this is not a lot of draw, there may be more draw stemming from the same problem. Has anybody had the same problem ? Alarm module ?

 

[ABADASP]

I had a problem with the stereo amp drawing power when the radio was left on and the key off. they also changed out the amp. that was on a 95RT/10

 

[ChoiceViper]

Four days!!
Something's definitely wrong.
How old is the battery?

 

[PBJ]

Tony,
Check the over-ride switch between the seats. Pull the center console and check the tumbler...if it doesn't see a closed circuit it will leave the inside door lock lights on and draw the battery down in a matter of days. It will never go into arm mode on the vtss either. I don't remember exactly, but the horn chirps will be wrong on lock and unlock...one chirp on lock and two or three on unlock. You will most likely find the tumbler contacts broken...you can jump the connector and test the system. You can usally repair the tumbler instead of replacing it. After jumping the 2 way connector, the horn chirps will change and the lights will time out after 40 seconds. I have run into this before...hope that helps.
Later,
Joe

 

[1TONY1]

I replaced the battety shortly after I got the car due to this problem so it is less than 2 years old. Did the same thing with the brand new battery.

PBJ, My horn beeps once on arm and twice on disarm....no flashing of lights at all. I just tryed a 2001 that is here and it beeps once on arm and flashes the lights twice on disarm (no beeps) ...... Should a 1996 be the same as a 2001 ? Sounds like you may be onto something PBJ, thx and I will check that out.

p.s. It hasn't been a huge problem since mine has been a daily driver but know the SRT4 is taking up some driving duties.

 

[ChoiceViper]

Mine ('97) chirps once when armed, no chirps and the flashing lights twice when disarming.

 

[1TONY1]

Thanks, I just thought my car was special

 

[Jack B]

Tony:

I have a 97 GTS, one chirp on lock, a second chirp thirty seconds later to acknowledge it is armed. When you hit Unlock, there are two chirps. If the arm circuit is open anywhere (it is a series circuit) there will not be a second chirp on the lock cycle. As an example, when I bought the car, the limit switch on the back window was not adjusted correctly, in turn, the alarm did not issue the second chirp, meaning it wasn't armed.

As far as current draw, disconnect your positive lead (top/left PCM) and put a DC ammeter in series with the post and the battery cable. It will be pretty obvious if you have a problem.

 

[JimDavis MT 97GTS 650R]

Had a similar problem with my 97GTS. Made me nuts.Turned out to be a relay located in the power distribution center. The relay was shorting causing the A/C magnetic clutch to activate, even when the car was turned off! That clutch draws a significant amount of power. It took me a weeks to figure out what was going on. The relays are easy to access and replace. What's more, they only cost a couple of bucks each and are interchangeable with most the other relays. Check it out!

 

[BigCarrot]

It's funny, but mine is doing the exact same thing right now. They relocated the alarm switch in the glovebox when they did my nitrous system, so I guess that's probably my problem.

 

[Russ Oasis]

Tony,
Don't forget to also check the alarm switch for the hood. Other than that, what Joe said is right on.

 

[1TONY1]

Thanks Russ. I did figure out (I think) the over ride switch PBJ is talking about is the alarm key switch in the glove box which my 96 does not have. On the hood switch, I can tell you that with the alarm on/doors locked you can open my hood and the alarm will not go off. Seems like "once upon a time" someone told me there was a tsb to relocate the hood alarm switch ???

 

[PBJ]

Tony,
Sorry, I thought all GTS cars had that switch. Russ is correct, the hood pin switch will do the same thing. It is telling the alarm / entry module to stay in program mode. I will not set the VTSS and will leave the door lights on for what ever reason. Let us all know what you find.
Later,
Joe

 

[JonB]

Tony,
Check the over-ride switch between the seats. Joe

Sorry, Joe, but THE YEAR MATTERS.

Tony has a 97.....no alarm override switch. But here is his problem:

HINT 1: Some folks dont know there is a MAP LIGHT on the rear-view mirror that has been bumped ON. This switch left on will drain the battery in a couple days. You can turn it on inadvertantly while adjusting the mirror, and then fail to notice in daylight.

HINT 2: When you alarm your car, if the door-lock LED stays lighted after 3 minutes, you have an OPEN CIRCUIT somewhere, most likely the hood switch, located beside the RF hinge in 1997. Just jubricate it and easily resit it so it rests higher, so the hood closes it. This open circuit is draining the battery.
In fact, on your year I believe the LED would stay lighted even if not alarmed.
Later years have a vastly differd EEU (Alarm Brain" that automatically disables open circuits after 3 mins....)

You can also manually reach in an open window and rock the door-lock switch to disable the open circuit and shut off the light.. (assuming it is on after 3 mins) Other possible culprit would be hatch-glass switch. Unlikley the doors.


JonB~~~~~:<~

 

[1TONY1]

Russ may have hit it. I took a prop rod and with the hood open, propped the hood switch closed. The door lights will now go off like they should. I just remembered I did not try arm/disarm.....I will try it and of course adjust the switch up. Thanks guys.

 

[1TONY1]

Thanks Russ, I adjusted the hood switch and all seems to be working normal.