After a little more searching I found some threads on antenna and/or radio/amplifier causing problems. Disconnected amplifier, current draw dropped 600ma, the disconnected radio connector (module on top of amplifier) and it dropped another 300ma or so. Draw is now 30ma.

Editing for the search archives.

Brian

I replaced the battery on our 300TE a few weeks ago, it was not holding a charge and it was 5 years old so I went ahead and replaced it. Now the new battery has done the same thing, lost charge over time. Alternator provides 13.8VDC when running, that seems fine.

I have measured 1A DC current draw with ignition off/key out, between battery negative and ground. I pulled every fuse in the fuse box, and the two underneath it, and I'm still getting 1A. This sounds high, and seems to be the root cause of the battery getting drained over time.

Any experience on other places to look? When I pulled the clock fuse the current draw dropped 0.1A or so, which seems reasonable. An amp seems like a lot of current for me not to notice something else 'on' all the time -

Thanks in advance for any suggestions -

Brian

This is a shot in the dark, but is there an aftermarket stereo/amp installed?

__________________
Chris
2007 E550 4Matic - 61,000 Km - Iridium Silver, black leather, Sport package, Premium 2 package
2007 GL450 4Matic - 62,000 Km - Obsidian Black Metallic, black leather, all options
1998 E430 - sold
1989 300E - 333,000 Km - sold
1977 280E - sold
1971 250 - retired

"And a frign hat. They gave me a hat at the annual benefits meeting. I said. how does this benefit me. I dont have anything from the company.. So they gave me a hat." - TheDon

Hi Zeus - there is an old school analog phone installed under the rear seat, but it is powered from under the fuse box, they attached the leads by screwing into one of the 25A circuits. I unplugged it at the phone module, and anyway when I removed the 25A fuse powering the phone there was no change.

Weird.

Brian