Testing current draw

[Huw Powell]

> I have an '89 200 with a current draw problem.  Every few days, the
> battery goes dead and I have to charge it.  I finally decided to trouble
> shoot the problem and discovered that there is a 17 milliamp current
> draw with everything turned off, doors shut, wait 5 minutes for timers
> to time out, etc.  I put a test light in the circuit, started pulling
> fuses, and discovered the draw was in the fuse for the most number of
> components - of course.  It's the one for the inside lights, radio,
> trunk light, trip computer, air conditioning control, makeup mirror, and
> clock.  There are no obvious culprits.  Without tearing the inside
> apart, how do I best isolate the problem?  Any BTDTs?

considering how low a draw that is, even if it slightly higher than has
been said here is appropriate, I would investigate your charging system
integrity as well.  Specifically, I believe the type 44 has, among its
many unique and aggravating traits, a splice in the main battery wire
under the passenger side carpet (?) which is trouble prone.  Check the
battery ground and alternator functions as well, of course.

The type 44 consumes a *lot* of electricity while running, so a poor
conductor to the battery might result in minimal recharging, and your
small "off use" curent draw could be enough to flatten your battery.  Do
this over and over again and you shorten the battery life, as well.  How
old *is* the battery, anyway?

-- 
Huw Powell

http://www.humanspeakers.com/audi/

http://www.humanthoughts.org/