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CD Changer drawing 1/2 amp constantly

Home / the12volt's Install Bay / Car Audio / CD Changer drawing 1/2 amp constantly (Topic Closed Topic Closed)
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Chappy 
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Posted: August 22, 2004 at 6:38 PM / IP Logged  
I was wondering if anyone knew the best way to fix this problem. I have a friend with a 97 BMW 528i with a stock stereo system. The battery kept going out so they took it to the dealer and the dealer looked at the car and said that the CD Changer was drawing a 1/2 amp all the time. It is a pioneer cd changer hooked up with a peripheral BMWPILA adapter. How ca I fix this problem? I was thinking about wiring a switch so that I can turn the cd changer off when the car is off, or maybe rewiring the power to a switched 12vdc lead from the fuse box. Can anyone help?
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mo12v 
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Posted: August 22, 2004 at 8:14 PM / IP Logged  

I would want to make sure the Changer is wired correctly (I.E.) Changer Backup to Constant and Changer Accessory to Ignition or Accessory.

If that proves correct, then I would want to be sure the Battery is up to snuff by doing a Load test.  I have found in the 1000 years of dealer work, some dealers will blame whatever is NOT stock on battery problems.  When the battery was shy of completly staying charged by a weak cell or cells.

Otherwise, you might want to check the changer

MO
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Chappy 
Copper - Posts: 49
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Posted: August 22, 2004 at 11:43 PM / IP Logged  
The battery is brand new. It was installed by the dealer. Unless of course they lied and just said the battery was a new one. As for the Changer.. I don't knwo what wires are what. How do I find out what wires are what so that I can check?
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dragonrage 
Copper - Posts: 193
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Posted: August 23, 2004 at 2:15 PM / IP Logged  

Okay, so they say it's always drawing power. Have to looked to see if it's actually staying on or if it is drawing power when it's off? Have you tried simply unplugging it and seeing if your battery dies or not? And 1/2 amp is not a lot, by the way. I'd think it should take at least several days for that kind of draw to kill a car battery. Your battery may be weak or your alternator may not be up to snuff.... But I'd say the first thing to try is just unplugging it for a while.

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Teken 
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Posted: August 23, 2004 at 2:35 PM / IP Logged  
The standard current draw for a vehicle is 25-50 mA. Half an amp is 500 mA (milliamperes).
A vehicle would be dead within 24 hour period, regardless of its condition.
I would follow the advice of mo12v, and unplug the changer completely, and see what happens.
Realisticly, I would urge you to take a DMM and measure the current draw from the battery yourself, to varify what the actual current draw is.
Doing so will varify the techs / dealers information. This will make you an informed consumer, and not simply a cow going to slaughter.
Regards
EVIL Teken . . .
Chappy 
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Posted: August 23, 2004 at 2:39 PM / IP Logged  
I talked with my friend and he told me that the CD changer was installed by some drunk used car salesman, so I am pretty sure its hooked up wrong. My guess is that instead of hooking the power wire to a switched source he has it conected to a constant source. I am going to go take a look at it and see if that was the problem.
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Teken 
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Posted: August 23, 2004 at 3:44 PM / IP Logged  
Regardless of how it is wired into the existing electrical system. Your problem is still present, which being you state it is drawing over 500 mA.
That in itself, needs to be addressed, regardless of other factors.
Regards
EVIL Teken . . .
auex 
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Posted: August 23, 2004 at 4:30 PM / IP Logged  
Teken wrote:
The standard current draw for a vehicle is 25-50 mA. Half an amp is 500 mA (milliamperes).
That is exactly right, half an amp is way too much. Not that I trust what the dealer said, but are you sure that the dealer is right with the diagnosis? Try disconnecting the changer adapter and then measure for current draw. Also make sure you wait for the computers to shut down when measuring the draw, so basicaly hook up your meter and leave it for about 20 minutes.
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stevdart 
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Posted: August 23, 2004 at 10:40 PM / IP Logged  

Chappy wrote:
I talked with my friend and he told me that the CD changer was installed by some drunk used car salesman,

Hey!  I represent that remark!  But seriously, my CD changer connects to 12 volt constant, which allows for removal of the changer magazine while the car is off.  It's the way the harness was intended.  That alone will not draw power all the time, but only when you push the eject button.  There may be a problem in the changer itself.

Build the box so that it performs well in the worst case scenario and, in return, it will reward you at all times.
auex 
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Posted: August 23, 2004 at 10:43 PM / IP Logged  
Noooooooo, your gold now.
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Always check info with a digital multimeter.
I promise to be good.
Tell Darwin I sent you.
I've been sick lately, sorry I won't be on much.

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