From what I have found on this forum, this terminal is C105, but I cannot find this in the wiring diagrams. I also discovered that this wire feeds the GP relay. 4.3 amps according to my VOM. Is this common for a relay to fail this way? I searched, and I haven't seen this anywhere.

Anyone found this problem before?


TIA

C105 is all over in the fsm. Look under charging, power distribution. Wherever you see hot at all times, you'll find C105. That would include the alternator, glow plug relay, head light switchand the fuse box. It is unlikely the glow plug relay is drawing 4 amps constant but anything is possible. The technique to find the draw is disconnect suspect loads one by one till it's found.

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85 300D turbo pristine w 157k when purchased 161K now
83 300 D turbo 297K runs great. SOLD!
83 240D 4 spd manual- parted out then junked

I forgot to mention; I pulled each fuse individually, and reinstalled it; No Change. It makes me wonder if I should have kept each one out until I was finished since I haven't found it yet?

Is the 4 A draw with the key off? Try undoing connections to the alternator.

__________________
85 300D turbo pristine w 157k when purchased 161K now
83 300 D turbo 297K runs great. SOLD!
83 240D 4 spd manual- parted out then junked

That is with the alternator disconnected.

I disconnected it once, and I thought it went away; I Know this alt is weak, takes about 8 minutes of running before it begins to charge. I am upgrading to a higher amp alternator anyway, I just really hoped that was the cause.

Actually looks like it is on Fuse #2, any typical suspects there?

It lists 'Warning System'; what in the world is that? Dummy lights?

seatbelt/lights on/key in ignition with door open buzzer?

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1981 NA 300D 310k miles

I removed the buzzer, so I don't think that is it.. I've got the VOM in series through the ground, so no lights are on. I will check the seat belt. No key in ignition.

Looks like it is the bundle with the red wires, the larger of the two on that circuit. Should I cut that apart and remove each wire individually and see that way?

5 red wires, one with white trace and yellow hashes, one with white trace, and 3 others that are just red.

I unplugged the antenna, no difference.

Seat belt connection isn't connected so it isn't that.

I whipped out the moldy, heavily-stained Haynes manual, and this is what I found...

Red/White trace, Emergency Flasher (20)
Red, Front Dome Light (13)
Red/White trace, yellow hash, L/R Tail Light (75)
Red/Black trace (can't confirm trace yet), Relay II for Power Windows (28)
Red/Yellow trace (also can't confirm yet), Wiper Motor (30)

I called my Mechanical Mentor and he suggested keeping my VOM in series inbetween the ground of the car and the ground of the battery, then attach a wire to the positive, separate the 5 wires so I can test them individually, and connect the positive to each one until I find the 4.2-4.4 Amp draw. Simple enough, and yet a PITA.

Minor update; attempted to isolate this further and discovered two things.. One, I had my VOM set up incorrectly, and not for amps. Once I fixed that, I only had 0.75 amp draw. And then, Two, promptly blew the fuse in the VOM... Once I get another, I will start on this again.