1999 SLT Laramie Quad Cab Duallie, Cummins Automatic



I have disconnected my batteries while I search for a current draw which is draining my batteries in about a week.

Do I need to (how do I) reset anything before starting the truck, when I reconnect the batteries?


The only thing I have done since buying the truck is:

I had the seat belt motion detection device from under the center seat, unbolted and tipped for awhile (which locked the belts) when I was modifying the passenger seat mounts.

I thought this was the cause of the battery drain as my belts wouldn't spool with the dead batteries. But the motion device is back in it's original position now and works fine(the belts spool freely), and there is still a current draw draining the batteries.

Is there anything I have to reset?

Cheers

Peter

 

I *think* those seat belt solenoids are powered when they are free spooling, and de-energized when locked, think safety in a crash. They should lock up after 20 min of shutting truck off and closing doors, opening the doors unlocks them. So leave the window down and check the seatbelt after a while, should be locked up.

 

A while back I learned a really cool way to find parasitic draw. You will need an ammeter, fuse puller and a notepad and pen.

Set your multi-meter to amps.

With your batteries connected and the truck turned off, one fuse at a time, pull the fuse and measure the current draw (amps) of the circuit by placing your meter leads on the two sockets for the fuse. Write down the name of the circuit and the current being drawn. Replace the fuse and repeat for the next fuse/circuit in the fuse block. Don't forget we have a fuse box in the cab AND a fuse box under the hood.

When you are done, you will know know by circuit how much current is drawn when truck is not running. If there are no obvious problems, I believe there is a section in the FSM that tells how much current should be drawn when truck is off. If you have a big difference between what your truck shows on a circuit and the FSM says you should see, you definitely know where your problem is.

 

^^^That is a good way to check.

Also, a common draw in our trucks is a broken glove box light trigger...

Maybe check that too.

 

I agree here, I would look into this seat belt circuit further; as I recall they should lock after the truck is at rest for 20 minutes or more, and won't unlock until a door is opened. If they are staying energized they will cause your draw.

 

I have read on here about that seatbelt circuit since I joined and never understood what it was all about. I never realized the lockup was electrical. I always assumed it was a little lead pendulum like in my old Chevy pickup. I finally get it!!

 

i have found a draw through the trans fuse under the hood.

any suggestions

cheers Peter

 

ok, now we are getting somewhere. At this point I would suggest posting in the engine and drivetrain section for 2nd gens. That is where the tranny gurus are.

For a short-term workaround, pull the tranny fuse if parking for any length of time.