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LED dash lights, parasitic draw?


xsaylr

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Recently replaced dash bulbs w LEDs, then over the next few days realized there's a parasitic draw. Found a guide that had me connect a multimeter between the negative cable & negative terminal, then pull fuses n watch for a big milliamp drop. Got 1 when pulling the instrument panel fuse, so now I'm wondering if the LEDs are the culprit. Anyone else seen this happen on these trucks? 97 XLT
 


ericbphoto

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That's strange. I would not expect a parasitic draw just from replacing instrument panel lights with LEDs. The circuit should be dead when the key is turned off and removed.

I think, in 97, you have a GEM module and possibly a "battery saver" timer and relay circuit. That can make the parasitic draw test a bit more complicated. When you did the test, were all doors shut and key removed from ignition?
 

xsaylr

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No key but the door was open. Forgot to tape the door chime button closed. The milliamps are at 25, and the test suggests that 20-50 mA is normal, so it appears to be in spec. Maybe that's what the issue was
 

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