Electrical Draw problem

racenmotorsports · Nov 12, 2011

HI,
My 95 mustang keeps killing the battery. I did an amp test and found out that the Audio fuse circuit is seems to be the issue. I'm pulling 1.2 amps with the door open which sort of makes sense since the interior lights are on. Once I close the door or pull the #8 interior fuse, the draw drops to around .40 amps. I pulled every fuse in the box and #8 was the one with the current dray. I checked the major items by disconnecting them one by one, first the stereo all the way to the original wiring harness, both power sources in the center console, checked the glovebox light, disconnected the rear view mirror and made sure the under dash lights were disconnected and nothing helped.

If I pull the AUDIO fuse in the engine compartment current drops to .04 amps so I know it's on that circuit. Anybody know what is everything on that circuit or have any more ideas? I really need to fix this, but I'm stumped.

Thanks

ttocs · Nov 12, 2011

disconnect the clock?

Marvin97 · Nov 12, 2011

A friend of mine had the same problem with his 99gt and I've found a few others have as well. Most of the time the problem is in one of the rear amps for the mach 460 system. One of the amps is drawing current for some reason when the car is off. I'd try disconnecting them and see if it doesn't go away. Hope this helps

96GT02 · Nov 12, 2011

Do your Amps ever make a whining whistling kind of noise when the music is on?

racenmotorsports · Nov 13, 2011

Just checked the clock, no change. This thing doesn't have any amps in it. In fact it's a replacement stereo with only the two door speakers hooked up.

ttocs · Nov 13, 2011

does disconnecting the deck make any difference?

racenmotorsports · Nov 13, 2011

No, that didn't make any difference. I'm beginning to think it's in the ignition switch. Too bad that thing is $70.00 and I'm not sure how to check it before spending the money for a new one.

racenmotorsports · Nov 15, 2011

All right an update... I've pulled the entire dash apart, pulled the lock cylinder out, pulled and disconnected the ignition box under the dash, pulled the light (see below) and disconnected it, clock, radio and pulled the #8 interior fuse to kill the lights so I think everything is disconnected and I still got .4a draw when the doors are shut and turned off. As I stated above, I'm about 98% sure the draw is coming off the AUDIO circuit in the engine fusebox. Anybody know what else comes off that circuit, I'm at a loss? Does anyone know what the "normal" amp draw is on these cars when its off?
Appreciate the help!

ttocs · Nov 15, 2011

I would be suprised to see much more then .1-.15 amps at idle.

Do you still have the mach audio equipment in the car? If you do try disconnecting the two amps in the rear, and the one under the radio.

racenmotorsports · Nov 17, 2011

Last night, checked for amps, nothing there as I expected since it has an aftermarket radio in it. I even disconnected the keyless entry in the rear and completely disconnected the alternator and still had the draw. \

I've pretty much given up on it and moving on to making the body look good again and then worry about it later. It's just nagging me that I can't find the solution. I suppose it could be the battery, but why would I only see drain from that one circuit. Looking at all the drawings I can it appears that the only thing that comes off the AUDIO fuse is a wire to the iginition. DOes anyone have a drawing showing the wires that come from that fuse and where they go. I think that's the next place to look.

ttocs · Nov 17, 2011

there is a third amp, more of a cross over really and it did come in a few cars that were somehow between the mach and the regular radio. It was located directly below the radio, didn't really do much but if its not turning off that could be your drain.

racenmotorsports · Nov 17, 2011

I think I found it. This was behind the the console bolted to the floor. I took it out and surprise, no more current draw. Was this the crossover you were talking about or something else? Crap....how do you post pictures?>????

331728_309397532404180_124600817550520_1260270_1636313820_o.jpg

ttocs · Nov 17, 2011

yuppers thats the one! It is just a premium amp for the door speakers if I remember correctly. You will be fine with out it, that bracket it was mounted too is great to mount other stuff too.

Cool we found it!