Need help identifying circuit. Cause of parasitic draw

[cudaowner]

Hello all,
I have a 2017 2500 HD Laramie with the 6.4 gas engine.
Parasitic drain has been kicking my rear end. The short story is: pulled the battery and had it load tested (good), removed the alternator and had it checked at a dedicated shop (good),with my meter in series with the battery, I pulled every fuse at least twice. Took forever, as the drain seems to be cyclic. Drops to 28mA for a minute or two, then jumps to about 86mA for about 30 seconds. So, I would pull the fuses whenever it jumped up to 86. Also checked as best I could with a thermal camera. No luck after many hours. Pulled the fuses directly connected to the battery that go to my bedsteps, and I roll top cover. No luck.
In any case, while looking down below the battery to see if there were any additional add on fuses, sure enough I spot a fuse there, that appears to be factory. I cannot find any info on it in the owners manual. That circuit is the culprit though. I feel like I am close to success.
Can anyone help me identify this circuit with this 20 amp fuse?
Thanks in advance.
v/r Larry

 

[Ken226]

This is just a wild guess, but I seem to remember hearing that the radio uses a standalone fuse like that, near the battery.

Does the radio still work with that fuse pulled?

Edit: I found this. Lends some credibility too my imperfect memory.

Dodge ram 1500 radio fuse location hidden fuse

Amazon link https://amzn.to/3BEMfT0 test light https://amzn.to/3NidcOX fuses 2017 dodge ram 1500 radio not workingfuse location #Dodge #ram #1500 #fuselocati...

youtu.be

 

[crackerjack1957]

This is just a wild guess, but I seem to remember hearing that the radio uses a standalone fuse like that, near the battery.

Does the radio still work with that fuse pulled?

Edit: I found this. Lends some credibility too my imperfect memory.

Dodge ram 1500 radio fuse location hidden fuse

Amazon link https://amzn.to/3BEMfT0 test light https://amzn.to/3NidcOX fuses 2017 dodge ram 1500 radio not workingfuse location #Dodge #ram #1500 #fuselocati...

youtu.be

Seems you're memory still firing on all 8.....

 

[cudaowner]

Un flippin believable! Thank you Ken. Now that I know what to search for, I have a whole new rabbit hole to go down. Strange, but I feel a little better finding out that others are just as bewildered to discover that the mfr would place that fuse outside the fuse box...and not even have the decency to mention it in the manual.
Oh well. Not sure how to proceed from here at the moment, but there seems to be some info on line. And, at least I can just pull the fuse for now and prevent the battery drain.
Thanks again for that link.

 

[04fxdwgi]

I had a new '18 model Caddy that killed battery after a couple of weeks of non-use. Infotainment system wasn't shutting down and bleeding the battery. They replaced the head unit and problem went away.

 

[T. Anders]

I'd also look at TPIM as a possible culprit. Once it starts to go downhill it can wreek havoc on virtually any system in the vehicle.

 

[Merlin55]

I had a battery drain with an Oldsmobile years ago. Took a while to locate. It was a bad relay. Found by just unplugging everything ‍

 

[Dusty]

Hello all,
I have a 2017 2500 HD Laramie with the 6.4 gas engine.
Parasitic drain has been kicking my rear end. The short story is: pulled the battery and had it load tested (good), removed the alternator and had it checked at a dedicated shop (good),with my meter in series with the battery, I pulled every fuse at least twice. Took forever, as the drain seems to be cyclic. Drops to 28mA for a minute or two, then jumps to about 86mA for about 30 seconds. So, I would pull the fuses whenever it jumped up to 86. Also checked as best I could with a thermal camera. No luck after many hours. Pulled the fuses directly connected to the battery that go to my bedsteps, and I roll top cover. No luck.
In any case, while looking down below the battery to see if there were any additional add on fuses, sure enough I spot a fuse there, that appears to be factory. I cannot find any info on it in the owners manual. That circuit is the culprit though. I feel like I am close to success.
Can anyone help me identify this circuit with this 20 amp fuse?
Thanks in advance.
v/r LarryView attachment 579683View attachment 579684View attachment 579685

It's unclear in your write up, but what was the highest draw measured?

Regards,
Dusty
2019 Ram 1500 Billet Silver Laramie Quad Cab 2WD, 5.7 Hemi, 8HP75, 3.21 axle, 33-gallon fuel tank, 18” wheels. Build Date: 3 June 2018. Now at 147030 miles.

 

[70runner]

Had similar parasitic draw characteristics described in OP with 21 Rebel. Draw toggled randomly between 50ma and 180ma. RAM dealer could not find source, kept telling me draw was "within specs". Suspected head unit. Put battery on a trickle charger to counteract the draw. I suspect a lot of these 5th gen trucks have some degree of parasitic draw from modules which don't sleep soundly.

 

[Marshall]

Seems you're memory still firing on all 8.....

that was my thinking as well, easy way to tell , pull it and turn key on and see if radio is on, Mine has sub woofer in back, so it could be for that as U presume that sub woofer would have it's own fuse, not that i have ever looked at a wiring diagram.

 

[cudaowner]

It's unclear in your write up, but what was the highest draw measured?

Regards,
Dusty
2019 Ram 1500 Billet Silver Laramie Quad Cab 2WD, 5.7 Hemi, 8HP75, 3.21 axle, 33-gallon fuel tank, 18” wheels. Build Date: 3 June 2018. Now at 147030 miles.

When everything is asleep, the high would be right around 86mA. That 20 amp fuse definitely goes to the head unit. I am at a temporary standstill at the moment. I need to find out what other modules, if any are also on that circuit. Haven't had time to work on it today.

 

[Dusty]

When everything is asleep, the high would be right around 86mA. That 20 amp fuse definitely goes to the head unit. I am at a temporary standstill at the moment. I need to find out what other modules, if any are also on that circuit. Haven't had time to work on it today.

Depending on how many modules (optional features) in my experience 30-50 milliamperes is normal for Ram trucks. 86mA would be the most I've heard of, but I'm not sure if that's impinging. I understand Escalades hover around 90 milliamps. Then again, if you see 28 then see it go to 86, that might be the indicator. The head may not be staying asleep.

Regards,
Dusty
2019 Ram 1500 Billet Silver Laramie Quad Cab 2WD, 5.7 Hemi, 8HP75, 3.21 axle, 33-gallon fuel tank, 18” wheels. Build Date: 3 June 2018. Now at 147076 miles.

 

[Marshall]

85 ma will be too much, that will kill a battery over time .
The radio by itself would not need a 20 a fuse, usually about 5 amp, a power amplifier would need more, but I haven’t looked on mine.
Knee is giving me some trouble last few days.

PS I think often when pulling fuses and repluging them, it could wake up some cck's, modules and if you have the hood open, that will as well, close the latch on it and open doors will get around that.