In this video I bring you along as I diagnose a parasitic draw on a '03 Chevy Trailblazer. Looks to me like it needs a new cluster. Unfortunately the lady is taking it back to the place that replaced the last one because it is under warranty. Also she was having the original clusters (3) replaced because the gauges were going bad, never as attempt to repair the battery draw. Thanks for watching 🙂
Never could fix problem like yours, had to put in master switch on battery so could kill power.
I put a brand new battery in my 2002 Chevy trailblazer hooked it up turn the key it goes pop and nothing what's going on
Nice find. Obviously a new cluster fixed the issue.
Question: did you look to see if there were any aftermarket wire taps on this circuit? Did the current draw at the fuse go to zero with the dash unplugged?
Had very similar issues in a 2003 Suburban 1500LT….including a main beam light that would come on all by itself – just flickering- even when the car was locked and asleep. Similarly the draw was over 0.25A. As an electronics engineer originally my thoughts were its still working but something is adding a draw. So firstly dismantle the instrument panel down to the circuit board. Secondly clean it with alcohol. Finally re-solder every joint you can see. It worked for me. Given it costs nothing to try and you can do it in a few hours in the evening its worth attempting a repair before buying a new IP. Certainly look for any signs of moisture or staining on the board as its highly likely to be the conduit. I'm somewhat forced into this as I'm maintaining the burb over in the UK where is virtually no support for US cars.
Nice video!
The 'cluster' seems to be a common fail issue with these. I am currently having the same issue (I believe) on my '02' Blazer, but I just have not addressed it yet lol. I believe my problem is a solder issue. Hit a bump and lose the MLG/SHIFT lights. Bad solder is usually the fix. It will start there and see where it takes me from there.
My is doing the same thing… my a 2005 Trailblazer….
Sounds like the key switch or has a bad Ignition switch that's keeping That when it's all said it's actually keeping power to the cluster to verify just take the bottom of the column off and unplugged the mission switch and I bet you lose your amp draw
Hi Eric, I scrolled through all your videos to see if you made a follow up to this issue. I'm having same problem with 2008 GMC Envoy with 104 miles on dash. What was the solution?
On your second video, shoot it when the shop is closed so you don't have all the background noise
I knew that cluster was replaced by the yellow writing on the back of the cluster
OMG THATS. MY SITUATION!!! I GOING TO WATCH NOW……
So when you have a known defective instrument cluster, & you obtain a low-cost replacement from the junk yard, doesn't it display the mileage of the "junk" vehicle? ( On the older models, of course.) There's no way to correct that unless you send the cluster to a specially inst. Cluster. Repair depot, is there?
That looks like a junkyard part it had the writing on it
Noted the junk yard yellow marker on the back
My daughters vehicle is doing this, the instrument cluster is erratic she taps on the dash to get it back. My first thought was the cluster I was thinking a draw there somewhere so I'm glad I ran across this.
Please tell me the volt meter you are using. I must have it
Could it be the final ( Stage resistor) in the HVAC unit ,it is quite common on BMWs.???
I have a 05 trailblazer and the batterys dead within hours right now.
I believe you just answered your own question I would say it's the draw from your fuel tank sensor
Great channel Eric, I have been a subscriber for several years & watch most of your videos' I have a workshop overseas in S.E. Asia for the past 36 years. I would like to know if you could tell me where I could get decent wiring diagrams for various brand vehicles. Most of the ones I either purchased or downloaded on line are very poor quality and most times the print is too small to read & if I enlarge them even slightly they become distorted. I see in many of your videos' you use clear , colored easy to read wiring diagrams. can you tell me where they come from
What about pulling every single fuse and relays and I have a 1.5 amp drain I have given up
Will a shut off switch temporarily fix the issue until I can get a new cluster?
the only voltage drop was when I pulled the 50amp fuse for the sub fuse or the 100amp battery fuse
Silver migration
BCM??
I have the same issue with my 07 envoy Denali… currently waiting on a new cat and changing the front struts and oil pan gasket, starter, looking forward to running these tests once its back together.
Oh, it’s a Chevy. That’s your problem.
Over half a mil subs, congrats.
Interesting video gives me a lot to think about I have currently no crank no start on my 2003 trailblazer looking forward to next one
I have been having a problem with my 2000 jimmy similar to this, but it'll start up after sitting over night and a few dozen attempts. Could this be a voltage regulator issue? Although the alternator tests good. As well as the battery, and no check engine codes or future codes pop up… ? I just want the problem fixed.
Here's a good out hav an 96 Buick cca are 840. New alternator charging 14114 two under load! But every so often it may need a jump ir a few tries before it will start
I have a 04 trailblazer that's turning the headlights on intermittently but it's not on a certain time base it might do it every day for a couple of days then it won't have any issues for a week or so then its back at it again what I have found doing dome research is that some say it's like fail safe to indicate a bad cooling fan so I unplug it and remove the to black solid state relays in the under hood fuse set for 2 day's with no issues I go to start it this am the batt is dead I was wondering if you or anyone could point me in the right direction thank you
My truck had the same issue and battery drain. Damn stepper motors.
Sure can tell this is an early South Main video. Eric apologizes too much. 🙂
Ignition switch can be bad (under the column)
Hi there. Love your channel. I have a '99 Lexus Rx300. I solved this problem by removing all the interior light bulbs. Then I make sure the car is locked overnight. That stopped the problem.
Thanks thats very informative having similar issues on a 2014 focus st. Draws 4v over night .cant seem to isolate the zombie module 😏
I know after reading comments that the IC was the problem. I have repaired electronic products to the component level for 30 years. After watching the video I considered this. What if you install another cluster that is confirmed good by being used in another car and does not have the current draw problem. After you install it and reconnect the battery you monitor the current without opening the doors or turning on the key and confirm the part is still good. Then try turning on different things like the key, or the headlights or move the fuel sensor you mentioned in the video. Then see if the problem develops in the IC. Something on one of the lines going to the IC could be damaging it. There may be a regulator Integrated circuit or diode that gets damaged after something else connected to it draws excessive current. I have seen this happen many times in TVs and audio equipment.
If she replaced 3x dash clusters, kinda sounding like a CPU issue. That's the last thing anyone wants to hear, but that's Prolly it. : / one bad capacitor will drain the battery pretty quik.
Sorry. All I heard was blah blah blah get a toyota Camry/corolla. Otherwise thanks for your time and work sir. Defiantly time wasting diagnosing that. It could be a gas guage or speedometer thing shorting out. The guages read by little tabs so if the tab is stuck between tabs then possibly it'd draw current. The computers in those is basically a Nintendo, so maybe CPU or reflow the motherboard. Look at CPU, might be some little itty bitty capacitor overheated or something. Might want to check that CPU. : /
Sir in my 2007 yukon xl
Battery light comes on
some time when i start the engine it comes on
And When i off the engine for sometime
And restart the engine the battery light
Go off
And car run fine
Battery is new
And alternator is also new
So can u tell me where is the problem
I have a 2003 envoy, same vehicle basically, they are famous for battery draw.
Great job narrowing it down. I haven't worked in a shop in 17 years so im rusty, you helped refresh my brain. My 02 has been draining the battery and I've been to lazy as i don't exactly enjoy troubleshooting electrical problems, but i think i may pull out the multi meter and have a look . I noticed sometimes my interior lights and dash don't want to go to sleep so i turned the dimmer switch all the way down seems to help but if it sits a week it's dead. Thanks for sharing !
Must be the lead whiskers.
I found my draw to be the ignition switch
Is it a possibility the security system is activating some of the functions thru the instrument cluster.With the key off when security system goes off. the circuit includes the instrument cluster. Also My trail blazer had a light for security system on cluster, I think. Just trying to help. Thank you for video.
did you unplug the rear splice pack under the rear seat eric? Robinsons auto has an excellent fideo on the same problem for an o4 trailblazar
I have seen this on my 03 silverado, started with the guages in 2017 and progressed to .25 amp draw. I have yet to replace it.
do you have any issue with 95' chevy cheyenne 3500 3rd break light LED replacements break light staying on? do you think i need resistor? or cut yellow wire? or different?
I have a 2002 Chevy trailblazer that has the same problem.