88 2.0L battery drain - Toyota Nation Forum : Toyota Car and Truck Forums

kevin s · 08-24-2009, 07:27 PM

88 Camry 2.0L auto
I have a 5 amp drain that I can't find. I have individually removed and checked all of the fuses, relays and circuit breakers from the under hood power center and both side kick panels. I also checked the starter solenoid.

It must be something ahead of all those fuses,breakers and relays. A 5 amp drain is pretty big. It must be something pretty obvious, but I can't find it. Where do i look next?

Mike Gerber · 08-25-2009, 08:11 AM

Do you have an aftermarket alarm system on the car? I have seen them cause these "dark current" drains many times. They usually have their own inline fuse.

Mike

kevin s · 08-25-2009, 12:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mike Gerber

Do you have an aftermarket alarm system on the car? I have seen them cause these "dark current" drains many times. They usually have their own inline fuse.

Mike

Nope. Bone stock stripper - crank windows, manual seats.

I am going to check the alternator tonight.

Since I am seeing a lot of hits, but only this one response so far, let's try something else. What items COULD be causing a 5+ amp draw?

Any other thoughts?

white90dx · 08-25-2009, 01:25 PM

Have you really removed all of the fuses? the only non-fused connection in the car is directly to the starter (larger, non-solenoid connection).

-Charlie

kevin s · 08-25-2009, 02:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by white90dx

Have you really removed all of the fuses? the only non-fused connection in the car is directly to the starter (larger, non-solenoid connection).

-Charlie

Yep. 6 or 7 under the hood, one in the pass kick panel and a dozen in the driver kick panel. Plus all the relays and circuit breakers I could find. Are there any hidden ones I might have missed?

white90dx · 08-25-2009, 05:54 PM

That sounds like them all... hmmm...

Take off that main power wire on the starter then and see what you get. Make sure it is kept away from metal while you are testing (cover it, etc.).

-Charlie

kevin s · 08-25-2009, 08:23 PM

Not the starter. Did that.
I must be an idiot to not be able to find this.
I pulled the two outside fusible links on the +battery cable, but couldn't get the center 80 amp one out. So it must be something on that 80 amp feed. That limits it down to...well, practically everything again. The isn't much on the outer two.

I thought I had it, but then realized I must have blown the fuses on my multimeter during all my playing around. Now I have to wait on Sears to mail me fuses. Radio Shack doesn't carry the right ones. They are 0.2A/250 and 10A/250 little bitty guys.

I'll check back with progress next week.
Thanks all.

kevin s · 08-26-2009, 07:54 PM

Well, I put the charger on the battery tonight for a couple hours. Didn't charge up the battery much, but it DID heat up the alternator. Does that mean anything?

white90dx · 08-26-2009, 08:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kevin s

Well, I put the charger on the battery tonight for a couple hours. Didn't charge up the battery much, but it DID heat up the alternator. Does that mean anything?

LOL... most definitely. This just happened to a forum member recently - sounds like a bad alternator (at least, bad regulator in the alternator)

The alternator power connection goes through that 80A fusible link through two thick white wires - and no other fuses.

-Charlie

kevin s · 08-26-2009, 08:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by white90dx

LOL... most definitely. This just happened to a forum member recently - sounds like a bad starter (at least, bad regulator in the starter)

The alternator power connection goes through that 80A fusible link through two thick white wires - and no other fuses.

-Charlie

So, it's the starter, not the alternator? What should I search for to find that thread?

white90dx · 08-27-2009, 12:16 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kevin s

So, it's the starter, not the alternator? What should I search for to find that thread?

Ack! Brain fart. If the alternator is getting hot when you charge the battery, then that's the problem. Try disconnecting the main cable to the alternator (with the copper nut holding it on) and see if the drain goes away. If it does, just replace the alternator and you are all good.

-Charlie

PS. 5A x 12V = 60W... so was the alternator about as hot as a 60W lightbulb would be?

kevin s · 08-27-2009, 07:13 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by white90dx

Ack! Brain fart. If the alternator is getting hot when you charge the battery, then that's the problem. Try disconnecting the main cable to the alternator (with the copper nut holding it on) and see if the drain goes away. If it does, just replace the alternator and you are all good.

-Charlie

PS. 5A x 12V = 60W... so was the alternator about as hot as a 60W lightbulb would be?

Yep. Pretty toasty. I pulled the harness from the top, but didn't disconnect any nut'd on wires. I think you found it. I'll take another look tonight.

Thank you. Thank you very much.

kevin s · 08-27-2009, 10:14 AM

All of the parts stores show a mid year change in 1988 for the alternator. Up to 7/88 and 8/88 and after. Anyone have a clue about what changed, and would the newer one be "better", or might it not fit right, or...?

white90dx · 08-27-2009, 01:07 PM

You probably have the "early" alternator. They are probably mechanically the same with a different electrical plug.

As long as the part is unused, you should be able to exchange for the right one if you get the wrong one...

-Charlie

kevin s · 08-27-2009, 06:27 PM

white90dx, you get the Genius of the Week award. It was the alternator. Got one from NAPA today at lunch and put it in after work. Interestingly enough, the one I got wasn't labeled as early or late 88, but it hooked up just fine.

Now, my next project is replacing the pressure hose to the PS pump. Yay! (I have read all the threads on that one, so I know what I am in for)

Thanks again.