Parasitic Battery Drain

[Doofy]

1998 Ranger 4x4, 5 speed. Battery was going dead if not driven for a week or so. I found that I had a parasitic drain of .21 amps. Wow, I immediately thought...alternator diodes. Nope. I finally tracked the problem to fuse #26.

This fuse is a 10A and lists the following: Battery Saver Relay
Electronic Shift Relay
Interior Lamp Relay
Power Window Relay
Electronic Shift Control Module
Dome/Map Lamp
GEM
Any thoughts or ideas? Does anyone know where the Battery Saver Relay is located? I am considering blowing the fuse and soldering in a switch with an in-line fuse so that circuit can be controlled without having to pull the fuse each time(I enjoy having a working dome light). The other alternative is a master disconnect switch but I don't want to lose the clock and radio memory or the PCM memory. Thanks for any replies.

 

[Doofy]

With fuse # 26 pulled...the parasitic drain is only .07 amps. This sounds reasonable.

 

[Spott]

Ironic, isn't it, that the circuit with the Battery Saver Relay, is the one draining your battery?

You can sign up at autozone.com for free online service info, they have some good wiring diagrams and component location info. Most of the stuff they have there appears to have come from a Chilton's manual.

Of the things listed, I'd look at the GEM and the Electronic Shift Module first, as the source of your drain. Hook your meter up, and start disconnecting parts of that circuit, until the current drain drops to reasonable levels. Whatever you unplugged last, is suspect. BTW, 0.07A is good, but I'd be looking for about half that, unless you have remote locks, a car alarm, or an amp installed. Sorry I don't have any any better advice for you, but I'm not familiar with the newer vehicles. Heck, I've never owned anything later than an '88.

Spott

 

[Sasquatch_Ryda]

0.05amp is acceptable to Ford.

 

[Doofy]

Thanks for the replies. Kind of hard to track things down when you have no idea of what they look like or where they are located. I'll skin that cat, one way
or another.

 

[johnboy89]

Thanks for the replies. Kind of hard to track things down when you have no idea of what they look like or where they are located. I'll skin that cat, one way
or another.

Was this ever resolved???? I have the exact same problem.

Thanx

 

[countryboy69]

was this ever solved? i have the same problem too....

 

[Doofy]

Yes. I installed a master disconnect switch. No patience for lying upside down looking under the dash for I don't know what.