Battery Electrical Drain/Parasitic Load Test

12 V Battery

The following procedure is for the 12 V battery only.

Diagnostic Instructions

Circuit/System Description

Components most likely to cause a parasitic draw on the vehicles battery are switches, relays, and control modules. After the ignition is turned OFF the control modules will begin to go to sleep (shut OFF). All control modules do not go to sleep at the same time, some may take up to 30 minutes or longer after turning the ignition off before going to sleep e.g. RAP or IRAP. Other components such as EVAP, HVAC afterblow, EV Battery Heater/Coolers, OnStar and keyless entry control modules (approach detection in keyless access vehicles) etc. may periodically wake up then go back to sleep. These are all normal conditions, use of a DMM set to Min/Max may help identify the normal types of spikes in the parasitic draws. EV Vehicles are equipped with Battery Saver mode & Battery Maintenance modes that can affect the current draw process and can be 100 mA. Refer to: Charging System Description and Operation for additional details.

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Diagnostic Aids

Active Draws

  • If the battery voltage is interrupted by removing fuses, relays, module or component connectors, or disconnecting the battery may cause the condition to clear or reset. To prevent a loss of power when disconnecting the battery install the EQPMSK6211 Battery Booster Pack or equivalent to the positive and negative battery cables prior disconnecting it to prevent a loss of voltage.
  • Verify no aftermarket accessories are installed or connected to the Auxiliary Power Ports, Audio Ports, or DLC. e.g. insurance snapshot or tracking devices.
  • On Some Vehicles the Auxiliary Power Ports can have B+ at all times (not controlled by RAP) by relocating the fuse in the fuseblock.
  • Aftermarket accessories installed into the courtesy lamp circuit may cause the inadvertent power timer in the K9 Body Control Module (BCM) to keep resetting. This may cause the BCM to remain awake and cause a current drain on the battery.
  • Verify that the battery and charging system are operating correctly. Refer to Battery Charging and Charging System Test.
  • The K9 Body Control Module has discrete input and output terminals to control the vehicle's body functions. The K9 Body Control Module is wired to the High Speed GMLAN bus, Low Speed GMLAN bus and multiple Local Interconnect Network (LIN) buses and acts as a gateway between them. The various K9 Body Control Module input and output circuits are illustrated in the corresponding functional areas on the K9 Body Control Module electrical schematics.
  • The K9 Body Control Module functions as the power mode master. The ignition switch is a low current switch with multiple discrete ignition switch signals to the power mode master for determining the power mode that will be sent over the serial data circuits to the other devices that need this information; the power mode master will activate relays and other direct outputs of the power mode master as needed. Refer to Power Mode Description and Operation for a complete description of power mode functions.
  • The K9 Body Control Module functions as a gateway or translator. The purpose of the gateway is to translate serial data messages between the High Speed GMLAN bus and the Low Speed GMLAN bus for communication between the various devices. The gateway will interact with each network according to that network's transmission protocol. All communication between the K9 Body Control Module and a scan tool is done through the primary High Speed GMLAN bus.
  • If an excessive current draw is not present during initial testing, continue periodic testing over a 1–2 hour period to see if the current draw increases and stays above an unacceptable level.

Intermittent Draws

  • The Battery Draw Customer Verification Worksheet may be helpful isolating or duplicating the customers concern CCVS - Battery Draw
  • When diagnosing an intermittent battery draw, if the battery voltage is interrupted by removing fuses, relays, module or component connectors, or disconnecting the battery may cause the condition to clear or reset. To prevent a loss of power when disconnecting the battery install the EQPMSK6211 Battery Booster Pack or equivalent to the positive and negative battery cables prior disconnecting it to prevent a loss of voltage.
  • Verify no aftermarket accessories are installed or connected to the Auxiliary Power Ports, Audio Ports, or DLC. e.g. insurance snapshot or tracking devices.
  • On Some Vehicles the Auxiliary Power Ports can have B+ at all times (not controlled by RAP) by relocating the fuse in the fuseblock.
  • Rule out customer driving habits such as regular short trips that do not allow enough time to properly charge the battery. Refer to Battery Description and Operation.
  • Verify that the battery and charging system are operating correctly. Refer to Battery Charging and Charging System Test.
  • A battery discharging for no apparent reason while the vehicle is parked can be caused by an intermittent draw, such as a module waking up, or a continuous draw, such as a dome light or stuck relay.
  • The K9 Body Control Module has discrete input and output terminals to control the vehicle's body functions. The K9 Body Control Module is wired to the High Speed GMLAN bus, Low Speed GMLAN bus and multiple Local Interconnect Network (LIN) buses and acts as a gateway between them. The various K9 Body Control Module input and output circuits are illustrated in the corresponding functional areas on the K9 Body Control Module electrical schematics.
  • The K9 Body Control Module functions as the power mode master. The ignition switch is a low current switch with multiple discrete ignition switch signals to the power mode master for determining the power mode that will be sent over the serial data circuits to the other devices that need this information; the power mode master will activate relays and other direct outputs of the power mode master as needed. Refer to Power Mode Description and Operation for a complete description of power mode functions.
  • The K9 Body Control Module functions as a gateway or translator. The purpose of the gateway is to translate serial data messages between the High Speed GMLAN bus and the Low Speed GMLAN bus for communication between the various devices. The gateway will interact with each network according to that network's transmission protocol. All communication between the K9 Body Control Module and a scan tool is done through the primary High Speed GMLAN bus.
  • If an excessive current draw is not present during initial testing, continue periodic testing over a 1–2 hour period to see if the current draw increases and stays above an unacceptable level.

Reference Information

Schematic Reference

Control Module References

Connector End View Reference

Master Electrical Component List

Electrical Information ReferenceScan Tool Reference

Control Module References for scan tool information

Special Tools

EL 38758 Parasitic Draw Test Switch

For equivalent regional tools, refer to Special Tools.

Circuit/System Verification

Note:

  • 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
    • On Some VIP vehicles if the EBCM detects wheel movement it can wake up and apply the electronic parking brake.
    • 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): Alternate Method for Vehicles with Battery Sensor Module: Alternate Method for Vehicles without a Battery Sensor Module Using the EL 38758 Parasitic Draw Test Switch:

Circuit/System Testing

Note: Do not test for a voltage drop at the Junction Block Studs without wiring or cables attached to it. It will result in the DVOM providing a false reading.


    Object ID: 5654572
  • Battery Junction Block Voltage Drop Example
  • Stuck switch
  • Stuck relay
  • Control module
  • Perform additional road test, repeat customer scenario per the Battery Draw customer verification sheet to attempt to duplicate the draw,

Repair Instructions

Perform the Diagnostic Repair Verification after completing the repair.

Control Module References for control module replacement, programming and setup