Dead Batteries....1 Amp Draw?

[jwilliams3]

Well, the truck sat for around 5 or 6 days.

Went to start it, it was dead as could be.



Charged up one battery and restarted fine.

I went down to a friends shop and we found a 1 amp draw in the stereo, under hood lamp circuit.



How would this issue be fixed? What in the hell is the FCM and where is it?



Thanks for any help with this issue!!

 

[jwilliams3]

I think I found the FCM. Its an ECM type box but smaller 4"x5" up by the drivers side firewall area right behind the battery approximately.



Can someone confirm this?

Thanks!

 

[DCTECH]

The Fcm Module Is Attached To The Power Distribution Center. It Is Between The Fender And The Power Distribution Center. Can See It But To Access It Have To Remove The Power Distribution Center.

 

[WhiteSheep]

FCM stands for Front Control Module. As DCTECH wrote it is attached to the power distribution center. According to the shop manual for my 04. 5, the FCM and PDC together make up the IPM, Integrated Power Module. (Is DC trying to sell to the military?) This is the main power control center for the computer, ___ er truck. If it is leaking 1 amp, both batteries would be dead in a few days. My truck has sat for over 10 days at a time and then started right up. I would say a trip to the dealer is in line. While your at it, replace your damaged batteries with Optima red tops.

 

[DPKetchum]

Optima's are a waste of money. Designed for servere off road use and banging around. I did a LOT of looking into batterys a while back and you can buy longer warranty,more cold starting amps for less money and unless off shore racing or the Baja 1000 no need for Optima's.

 

[MMeier]

Looks like the start of another battery war !! :-{}

 

[DPKetchum]

Amsoil battery's. Now THATS the ticket! But its true. Optima's are designed for rollovers,crashes,severe jarring(not diesel startup jarring)had several battery stores talk me OUT of them when I went to purchase and they had them in stock. One guy went over spec by spec bewteen them and OTHERS. He was right!

 

[WhiteSheep]

I don't want to start a battery war. Since Jwilliams3 lives in Indiana, he probably would be better served with a standard battery. I'll rescind my suggestion. Here in Arizona, the sealed Optimas and others like them really pay off. A regular battery designed for cold cranking lasts two years at best in the desert heat. Optimas can and have lasted up to eight years. Go with what works for you in your climate. For me, a Red Top will always be the battery of choice for starting applications in the desert heat.

 

[DPKetchum]

Fair enough. Just wanted to note there is/was other options thet worked as well or better.