1999 Oldsmobile Alero Battery drain

1999 OLDSMOBILE ALERO
130,000 MILES • 4 CYL • FWD • AUTOMATIC
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MD11MN
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the battery went dead (when parked over night- with nothing left on to drain it). Took it in and there seems to be a problem with the electrical or wiring. They told me it's fuse H of the 10amp fuses in the driver side fuse box.

They aren't sure what is wrong with it except that, that particular fuse seems to be draining the battery...even when the car is turned off and just parked.

I'm wondering what that fuse is responsible for, if I need to have it in when I drive and what might be the actual problem?

Any ideas??

Thanks so much!
Jul 30, 2008 at 4:34 PM
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JOSHUA.OCONNOR
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Have the same problem 99 olds alero (.7 amp draw when car is off). Traced through a 30 amp fuse under hood. Then the 10 amp fuse on drivers side (bottom fuse, for instrument cluster and a/c). When I removed this 10 amp fuse the draw went down to .02 amp (reasonable draw). I then disconnected the instrument cluster and found same results. I have not yet changed the instrument cluster, but I'm confident that is my problem. For now I pull the 10 amp fuse on drivers side when I park and have had no problems.
Aug 12, 2011 at 2:45 AM
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JDL
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Fuse H is for the bcm. Be careful about jumping to conclusions. Info below.
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Sep 12, 2011 at 2:41 PM
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JOSHUA.OCONNOR
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You are right about jumping to conclusions. I did see that is was in the BCM where the power was being consumed. But the BCM was not bad, the problem was actually a loose terminal on the battery. Every vibration would cause the loose terminal to open the circuit and turn off/on the BCM. It takes several minutes for the BCM to "calm down". With the power going on and off constantly, the BCM stayed active using too much power.
Sep 12, 2011 at 7:36 PM
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JDL
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Good job, glad you got it going your way.
Sep 12, 2011 at 8:12 PM