Engine/Transmission (1998.5 - 2002) batt drain specs?

[99guy]

Anyone know what the drain on the batteries should be with the truck in the off state, all accessories off as well. I’m troubleshooting a battery problem and just wanted to eliminate the possibility of to much drain overnight with the truck off.

 

[BillGotthelf]

When we switched the 99 over to a single battery, gel cell, 1700 cca battery we got a reading of . 26 amp draw. Attributed that to radio and power for ecm/pcm.

 

[99guy]

Well …. Checked it with the only meter I had available at the shop this eve. Max setting on the tester I used was 250 milliamps and it pegged the meter, and I guess it would of if . 26 amps would be about right. I can check with a different meter tomorrow.

 

[JFinke]

The fastest way to check if you don't have a meter is to run a test light inline with one positive cable, while the other + is unhooked but insulated. If it will light the test light you have too much draw. Pull fuses one at a time untill light goes out. That will tell you where to start. Most of the time it ends up being a light in the glovebox or under the hood. The alternator can also draw a lot and still charge. Another bad one is aftermarket alarms. I have never checked my pickup, but most stuff is . 1 amps or less.

 

[99guy]

update, checked with another instrument this eve before heading home, looks like aroun . 1 amps with this tester. Really don't have the ideal tester for this - kind of put me at the short end of the scale on the old analog to read . 1 but I would guess that's pretty close and from what you are telling me that ought to be about right. Didn't try the light test suggested above but looks like I need to look elsewhere for a problem. Thanks for the input!