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Home >> Chevrolet >> 2021 >> Malibu L >> Repair and Diagnosis >> Electrical >> Starter >> 12 V Starting And Charging - Diagnostic Information And Procedures (2 Of 2) >> Diagnostic Information and Procedures >> Battery Electrical Drain/Parasitic Load Test >> Circuit/System Verification

Circuit/System Verification

NOTE:
  • Most vehicle systems will go into the initial sleep cycle after 10 min, with periodic normal wake up cycles that will occur for approximately 1 s, it can take up to 2 hours before all systems powers down completely depending on make model or year. Typically a vehicle will not have more than 50 mA parasitic draw during the initial power sleep cycle.
  • Closing the doors, hood, trunk/liftgate, glove compartments, and console switches/ajar switches are closed while leaving the them open is recommended, this allows the vehicle systems to perform in a "doors/hood/trunk/liftgate closed" mode while allowing access to the vehicle components that need to be accessed for testing without waking the vehicle back up.
  • Locking doors will arm the vehicle content theft deterrent system if equipped. Failure to arm the system may cause a theft system fault to not be present during testing. If the vehicle is equipped with intrusion detection, the vehicle will activate full content theft alarm (vehicle wake up with siren and/or horn activation and exterior lighting cycling) when entering the vehicle.
  • There are many things that can prevent the vehicle from completely going to sleep and passing the parasitic draw test. Make sure all the conditions listed below are met before performing the parasitic current draw test.
    • Ignition OFF
    • Key out of the ignition switch - when not equipped with keyless access and start. Transmitter (Key FOB) away from vehicle for keyless access equipped vehicles.
    • Retained Accessory Power OFF - open and close the driver door after ignition OFF
    • Scan tool not communicating with a vehicle control module - in some cases it may need to be disconnected from the DLC
    • All doors, hood, trunk/liftgate, glove compartments, and console switches, latches and ajar switches are closed.
    • Head lamps OFF - auto head lamps disabled.
    • Any delay lighting OFF.
    • If equipped with an underhood lamp disable it. On vehicles will disable the underhood lamp when the hood latch is closed
    • If equipped with HVAC Afterblow, after shutting the vehicle off afterblow may cycle on after 30 min for approximately 10 minutes. Starting with some 2021 Model Vehicles afterblow is enabled at the factory and cannot be disabled.
    • Any accessory that can work with ignition OFF inactive or OFF. On some vehicles the Auxilary Power Ports can be enabled to be on at all times by relocating the fuse in the fuseblock.
    • Wait 15 min or longer, after all other listed conditions are met

Using an Inductive Amp Clamp (Preferred Method)

  1. Verify meter operating correctly, refer to the tools owner manual for tool being used,
  2. Road test the vehicle in the same manner as the customer does, based on information obtained from the customer verification sheet.
  3. Activate all the accessories the vehicle is equipped with, such as the radio, rear seat entertainment, rear defogger, windows, sunroof, front and rear HVAC etc. (operate components through a full cycle) confirm everything is operating correctly and note any components that are not operating correctly.
    4. NOTE:

    Zero the meter before connecting the amp clamp and verify the current sensor clamp in the correct orientation (arrow towards the negative battery post).

  4. Connect a 50 Amp inductive amp clamp to the negative battery cable that can read down to 1 mA.
  5. Ignition OFF.
    6. NOTE:

    Open all doors, hood, trunk/liftgate, glove compartments, and console etc to gain access to all components and fuse blocks, manually close all switches, latches and ajar switches are closed.

  6. Ignition off, exit the vehicle following the same manner that the customer does, based on information obtained from the customer verification sheet. CCVS - Battery Draw
    7. NOTE:

    Intermittent momentary module wake ups may be normal. (Typically, after 20 Minutes, but may take longer)

  7. Allow all modules and components to go to sleep.
  8. Verify there is less than 40 mA of parasitic current drain.
    • If greater than the specified range, refer to Circuit/System Testing.
    • Go to next step: If less than the specified range
  9. The condition may be an intermittent fault and is currently not present. Perform additional road test or repeat customer scenario to attempt to duplicate the draw

Using the EL 38758 Parasitic Draw Test Switch (Alternate Method)

    WARNING:

    Refer to Battery Disconnect Warning .

    CAUTION:

    When a fused jumper wire or digital multimeter is connected to the test switch terminals, always turn the test switch ON before opening any access door, turning the ignition on, or turning any accessory on. This is to prevent damaging the jumper wire or digital multimeter fuse.

  1. Verify meter operating correctly, refer to the tools owner manual for tool being used,
    2. NOTE:
    • When diagnosing an intermittent battery draw, if the battery voltage is interrupted by disconnecting the battery, fuses relays, component or module connectors may cause the condition to clear.
    • The switch knob on the EL 38758  switch is marked ON and OFF. When the switch knob is in the ON position, the circuit is closed and electrical current will pass through the switch. When the switch knob is in the OFF position, the circuit is open and electrical current will not pass through the switch.
  2. Connect the EQPMSK6211 Battery Booster Pack or equivalent to the Battery positive and negative jump start posts prior to disconnecting the negative battery cable to prevent a loss of voltage which could reset or clear an intermittent draw.
  3. Ignition OFF, disconnect the battery negative cable from the battery. Refer to Battery Negative Cable Disconnection and Connection (Without KL9) , or Battery Negative Cable Disconnection and Connection (With KL9) .
  4. Turn the EL 38758  switch knob to the OFF position.
  5. Install the male end of the EL 38758  switch to the battery ground terminal.
  6. Install the battery negative cable to the female end of the EL 38758  switch.
  7. Turn the EL 38758  switch knob to the ON position.
  8. Disconnect the EQPMSK6211 Battery Booster Pack or equivalent.
  9. Road test the vehicle in the same manner as the customer does, based on information obtained from the customer verification sheet. CCVS - Battery Draw
  10. Activate all the accessories the vehicle is equipped with, such as the radio, rear seat entertainment, rear defogger, windows, sunroof, front and rear HVAC etc. (operate components through a full cycle) confirm everything is operating correctly and note any components that are not operating correctly.
    11. NOTE:

    Open all doors, hood, trunk/liftgate, glove compartments, and console etc to gain access to all components and fuse blocks, manually close all switches, latches and ajar switches are closed.

  11. Ignition off, exit the vehicle following the same manner that the customer does, based on information obtained from the customer verification sheet.
    12. NOTE:

    Intermittent momentary module wake ups may be normal. (Typically, after 20 Minutes, but may take longer)

  12. Allow all modules and components to go to sleep.
  13. Connect a 10 A fused jumper wire to the test switch tool terminals.
  14. Turn the EL 38758  switch knob to the OFF position. The current now flows through the jumper wire.
  15. Check the fuse in the jumper wire. The fuse should be OK.
    • If the jumper wire fuse is blown, refer to Circuit/System Testing.
    • Go to next step: If the jumper wire fuse is not blown,
  16. Turn the EL 38758  switch knob to the ON position. Remove the fused jumper wire.
  17. Connect a DMM set to the 10 A DC scale between the test switch tool terminals.
  18. Turn the EL 38758  switch knob to the OFF position. The current now flows through the DMM.
  19. Verify there is less than 40 mA of parasitic current drain.
    • If greater than the specified range, refer to Circuit/System Testing.
    • Go to next step: If less than the specified range
  20. The condition may be an intermittent fault and is currently not present. Perform additional road test, repeat customer scenario per the Battery Draw customer verification sheet to attempt to duplicate the draw.
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