Hey folks!

Need help!

I have a battery drain that I've tracked down to the "Injector 2" fuse in my '82.  I pull the fuse out, no drain.  Put the fuse in, and I have over an amp drain that drains the battery dead overnight.

Where to now?

Thanks in advance!
JSGarner

Without looking at the wiring diagram(which I just sent ya), I'd say the fuse powers at least that infector, and prolly something else, too. The ECM provides the ground for the infectors, so they have to have full-time power. However....I wouldn't think they would be powered with the key off.
Have you tried dis-connecting the infector to see if that is actually the drain?
I'll have to take a look at the diagram...this might get interesting...


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Joel Adams
C3VR Lifetime Member #56    
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"Money can't buy happiness -- but somehow it's more comforting to cry in a CORVETTE than in a Kia"

Thanks Adam,

I haven't tried disconnecting the injector.  Sounds like something I should try.

JSGarner

Them Texas guys do not know the difference between a "infector" and a "injector"  (tee-hee).

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UPDATE!
I disconnected the injector and sure enough...the drain is there.  When it's connected, I can hear electricity.  Do you think it's in the connector or is it the injector itself that needs replacing?

The inJector shouldn't be powered up with the key off....that's weird. You may have a bad ECM...
Even if there is supposed to be voltage at the inj, then there wouldn't be a ground, since that comes from the ECM. So...just thinking off the top of me head, you've either got a shorted wire in the inj. harness, or the ECM has issues...
Lemmie take a gander at the wiring diagram....

Yeah...that fuse(inj2) is controlled thru the ignition switch...there should be NO voltage at the infectors with the key Off....Sooooo...you have a short to power on that wire somewhere between the ignition switch and the infector, AND...the infector is also getting a ground from somewhere. IT is possible that the ECM will go to ground on that circuit with the key off normally, which would cause the drain, but you still have power there that shouldn't be there.
I would suggest you check for voltage on the white wire on that infector with the key off, and the harness dis-connected. If you have ANY voltage there, it's time to start digging into the harness to find the short. Also, check the red wire on the other infector for power, just to see if it is "dead", as it should be.
Adams' Apple2010-01-22 21:34:27

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Joel Adams
C3VR Lifetime Member #56    
My Link


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"Money can't buy happiness -- but somehow it's more comforting to cry in a CORVETTE than in a Kia"

Got a new harness heading my way as we speak...hopefully that will take care of the drain once I switch it out.  I'll keep ya' posted...

Thanks,
JSGarner

No luck, darn it!  Got a new harness, switched it out...still a drain!

Let me ask a couple of stupid questions. 
1) Is the ECM the "fusebox", so to speak? 
2) If so, how would I know if that's the problem?
3) If it IS the problem, what kind of effort is it to replace?

Thanks,
JSGarner  

Hope to talk to you soon. dskopp2010-01-27 19:00:31

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There are NO stupid questions.
The ECM is not the fusebox. It is the Electronic Control Module for the engine...basically the computer. The problem, as I understand it, is there is power at the injector at all times. That power comes from the ignition switch, NOT the ECM. The ECM controls the ground side of the circuit.
My only suggestion at this time is to check the voltage on the white wire on that injector connector with the key off, and the injector unplugged. If there is ANY voltage there, there is something that is giving it that voltage...there shouldn't be any voltage there with the key off, period. If you replaced the engine compartment harness, the problem will most likely be either the ignition switch itself, or the wiring under the dash.
Is this something that just started, or has it been a problem for a while?
Has there been any work done under the dash?
Is there any voltage present at the other injector with the key off?

Here's how the injector circuit works:
Key ON, the ignition switch sends 12v(or battery voltage) to the injector on one terminal. In order for the injector to fire, it must have a ground. This ground comes from the ECM(computer). The ground is what is known as a PWM(Pulse Width Modulated), meaning it pulses very quickly, and varies the pulses depending on engine speed, and other information gathered by the ECM needed to pulse the injector at the right frequency to keep the engine running at optimum performance. That's why they "click" when the engine is running. The ECM is turning it On/Off repeatedly, extremely fast.
So....in order for the injector to be the cause of a battery drain with the key off, there has to be something else on that circuit feeding voltage to the injector. It could be the ignition switch itself....or it could be some other wire that is "hot" with the key off that has shorted itself to the wire on the injector circuit.
I hope some of this makes sense.
I can only say that you really need to start at the injector, and work your way back to the ignition switch, looking for the problem spot. If you have already replaced the engine compartment harness, we can eliminate that as a suspect. From there, it will go thru the harness connector at the firewall, which is really the fusebox on the inside of the car. I have seen the fusebox connector melt enough to cause shorts/cross-feeds in the wiring harness, but it is rare.


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Joel Adams
C3VR Lifetime Member #56    
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"Money can't buy happiness -- but somehow it's more comforting to cry in a CORVETTE than in a Kia"

Joel,

You are THE man!  Thanks!

This problem has been around for a little while now.  I had a similar problem with a battery drain some time back and tracked it down to the power seats.  I just removed the fuse (since nobody drives my 'Vette but me and so the seat stays where it is) and all was fine for awhile.  Then this current stronger drain showed up.  As far as work under the dash, there's been plenty.  I've replaced several items under the dash over time. 

Don't know that I said this or not, but the drain does NOT occur if the harness is detached.  Does that mean anything? 

Thanks for the help!!!
Jeff

Dis-connecting the injector will stop the drain because you've eliminated the voltage going to the injector. The other wire in the connector, the ground signal coming from the ECM could be shorted directly to the frame, and it wouldn't drain the battery....because there's not supposed to be any voltage there(from the ign switch) to start with, with the key off.
I'm assuming that the car starts and runs fine, right? That would pretty much eliminate the injector as the problem, as far as the drain. The injector could be slightly grounded internally, but with the ign switch voltage being "killed" when you turn the key off, it would only effect the way it runs, but it wouldn't cause a drain.
You've got a wiring problem under the dash, or the ignition switch is bad....that's really the only two things it could possibly be....


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Joel Adams
C3VR Lifetime Member #56    
My Link


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"Money can't buy happiness -- but somehow it's more comforting to cry in a CORVETTE than in a Kia"

I agree Joel.  My bet it's the ignition switch.  Sounds like another project for me this weekend!

One thing I've been forgetting to mention...IF the injector has been powered up all this time, and draining the battery, it's possible that it may fail soon, due to heat buildup. With the engine running, the fuel flowing thru it will keep it cool, but without the fuel, the injector will get hot...especially since it's just full "On" all the time, instead of being pulsed by the ECM.
Just something to think about...

It's always something, ain't it?
Adams' Apple2010-01-28 20:45:21

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Joel Adams
C3VR Lifetime Member #56    
My Link


(click for Texas-sized view!)             NCRS

"Money can't buy happiness -- but somehow it's more comforting to cry in a CORVETTE than in a Kia"

Yep...it's definitely always something! 

New question: When I go to switch out the ignition switch, will I have to remove the steering wheel to get inside the column?  My 'Haynes' book says I don't...but I'll be danged if I can see or figure out how to get the column open without taking off the steering wheel first.  Am I going to have my hands full replacing that ignition switch?

Thanks Joel for all the help...you don't know how much I appreciate your great advice!

Jeff

The ignition switch is down on the lower end of the column...no need to remove the wheel. You will need to be a contortionist, however!
There is another thread on replacing the ignition switch here somewhere, with pics of the switch. Do a "search" and it should come up. I can look for it too, once I get to the shop.


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Joel Adams
C3VR Lifetime Member #56    
My Link


(click for Texas-sized view!)             NCRS

"Money can't buy happiness -- but somehow it's more comforting to cry in a CORVETTE than in a Kia"

Awesome!  Will do!
Thanks!

Thread 1
Thread 2
Search results

Pic 1
Pic 2


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Joel Adams
C3VR Lifetime Member #56    
My Link


(click for Texas-sized view!)             NCRS

"Money can't buy happiness -- but somehow it's more comforting to cry in a CORVETTE than in a Kia"

Can't thank you enough, Joel!  I'll keep ya' posted!

Jeff

Well...I got the old ignition switch out....whew, what a pain!

Now...just waiting for the new switch to arrive...hopefully tomorrow!

Ya know, I'd be curious to find out if that injector still has power or not with the ign switch unplugged/removed....if it does, then replacing the switch ain't gonna fix it, but it would prove the problem is in the wiring.
I hate to be so skeptical, but....what if?
I bet you hate me for bring all this crap up, eh?
Adams' Apple2010-01-29 21:40:00

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Joel Adams
C3VR Lifetime Member #56    
My Link


(click for Texas-sized view!)             NCRS

"Money can't buy happiness -- but somehow it's more comforting to cry in a CORVETTE than in a Kia"

Yeah...I'm gonna check that as soon as I can get out there today.  I'll let you know....

Well, the worst is here.  I checked the injector with the ignition switch out and I can hear the "clicking" at the injector like before which tells me that there's still power getting there somehow.

What the heck now!  Arrrrrgh!!!!!