Hey there guys; Im new to this board and hope you can help me. I have a '89 RS with an electrical problem, the battery draws down in a short amount of time and you cant start it. So far I have found the draw to be about 4.5 amps right at the battery. I pulled all the fuses one at a time and found no change in the draw, even pulled the breakers with no change. I traced the draw to the starter and disconnected all the wires there to find there is a draw to the alt. so I disconnected it and it went away; But there was still the same draw from the other connection. My main question is Where in the world does that connection go? I assume to the fuse panel but why cant I get the draw to go away by pulling fuses?

I welcome any and all suggestions at this point, Im getting a little fried.

Thanks,
Steve

 

Welcome. Normal parasitic drain for a TG should be <15 ma. Remember when you check it the underhood light bulb must be pulled out and any interior lights must be off. The ECM and radio are the only things with small current requirements with the key off. I assume you are referring to the heavy wire at the starter junction that goes to the alt rear lug. Some circuits don't use the interior fuse panel, they rely on fuse links fed directly from the battery at the starter junction. It is very possible for the alt to have developed a problem causing higher than normal parasitic draw. If you have a 4-5 amp draw sounds like you found the problem. My friend had a similiar problem which he actually fixed but still complained of draw. I sucked down a couple of Amstels, then popped out the hood light bulb. Heck, I had to make it worth the trip. A normal TG with a fully charged battery should be able to sit for approx 4-6 wks before a no start condition occurrs. Get back to me if you need more help.

 

Thats right, I have the hood light disconnected and the doors are shut. But just in case I have removed the interior light over head. Even if all those lights are on I wouldnt suspect 4.5 amps. Right now the draw is only on the one line, the other I disconnected from the alternator and that part is no longer a problem. You let the car sit for about an hour and its noticable when trying to start it. Funny how the other ckt is the same draw, 4.5 amps whether the alt is plugged in or not. Even the alt when it is plugged in shows 4.5 amps on its wire. (all this is from the wires on the starter.)
I just really need to know where that other wire goes to. Ive tried to trace it down, but I get lost in the toss and tumble of the harness.