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mrharmon
Samba Member
Joined: March 14, 2020
Posts: 12
Location: Portland, OR
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 Posted: Fri Jul 16, 2021 8:12 am Post subject: 1997 EVC parasitic leak (3amps) |
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Looking for advice root causing a 3.2 amp parasitic leak that started shortly after repairing my A/C (replaced low/high port valves, vacuumed system and recharged to factory spec 950g r134a).
I've tried pulling each fuse/relay one at a time and none of the circuits there seem to be contributing. I've disconnected the house battery as well.
I can charge the battery and run the van and see about 12.6 V at the battery at idle, and about 13.1V at 1500-2k rpm.
The battery is 4 months old, and has been tested by a shop as in excellent condition.
The battery will die within a few hours if I turn off the van and just let it sit.
Any possibility it's the alternator?
Suggestions appreciated.
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'97 Eurovan Camper (VR6)
Portland, OR |
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TheOneTrueQuux
Samba Member
Joined: May 26, 2021
Posts: 360
Location: Winona, MN
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| Posted: Fri Jul 16, 2021 11:53 am Post subject: Re: 1997 EVC parasitic leak (3amps) |
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| mrharmon wrote: |
Any possibility it's the alternator?
Suggestions appreciated. |
Yep, a shorted alternator diode will do this. It'll also cause a lot of ripple on the output voltage. You can probably measure this with the AC scale on your multi-meter.
Probably the easiest diagnostic test is to disconnect the alternator and see if the drain persists. |
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mrharmon
Samba Member
Joined: March 14, 2020
Posts: 12
Location: Portland, OR
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| Posted: Fri Jul 16, 2021 9:27 pm Post subject: Re: 1997 EVC parasitic leak (3amps) |
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| TheOneTrueQuux wrote: |
| mrharmon wrote: |
Any possibility it's the alternator?
Suggestions appreciated. |
Yep, a shorted alternator diode will do this. It'll also cause a lot of ripple on the output voltage. You can probably measure this with the AC scale on your multi-meter.
Probably the easiest diagnostic test is to disconnect the alternator and see if the drain persists. |
You were correct, the alternator is my problem. After disconnecting the alternator, the drain stopped. Thank you.
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'97 Eurovan Camper (VR6)
Portland, OR |
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TheOneTrueQuux
Samba Member
Joined: May 26, 2021
Posts: 360
Location: Winona, MN
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| Posted: Mon Jul 19, 2021 2:08 pm Post subject: Re: 1997 EVC parasitic leak (3amps) |
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| mrharmon wrote: |
You were correct, the alternator is my problem. After disconnecting the alternator, the drain stopped. Thank you. |
Awesome! That's a fairly rare problem, but when you've eliminated everything else, that's what it's got to be. |
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Abscate
Samba Member
Joined: October 05, 2014
Posts: 22633
Location: NYC/Upstate/ROW
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| Posted: Mon Jul 19, 2021 3:06 pm Post subject: Re: 1997 EVC parasitic leak (3amps) |
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It’s also probably just the voltage regulator diode pack that is bad, which can be replaced.
In the heirarchy of replacement quality, best to worst
Oe from junkyard
Remanufactured by auto electric shop
Reman Bosch from FCP
REMAN Bosch
Rock Auto
Walmart
Welding in an AC Delco from a Chevy
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mrharmon
Samba Member
Joined: March 14, 2020
Posts: 12
Location: Portland, OR
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| Posted: Wed Jul 21, 2021 8:17 pm Post subject: Re: 1997 EVC parasitic leak (3amps) |
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I purchased a reman Bosch 120amp from eeuroparts (didn't know about FCP at the time) and installed it yesterday. It is tight getting it in there, but eventually I figured it out.
Still runs great, and the leak is gone (battery holding charge overnight just fine).
Now I have to decide if the $95 core is worth keeping the OE or not. I'm leaning towards sending the core back... even if it might be repairable, I'm hedging on not needing a spare.
Thanks again for the suggestions and help, I'm very grateful.
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'97 Eurovan Camper (VR6)
Portland, OR |
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