What is the maximum allowed current draw when engine is OFF?
 

Dear friends:

Does Mercedes specify a maximum current draw (engine OFF) for old diesel cars (W123, 126 etc...) which don't have a car alarm system installed? How many milliamperes do the radio (station memory function) and the clock use? On my W126 300SD.
it's about 350 mA or less when the engine is OFF.

However, I've read that newer cars (no alarm) usually consume only a maximum of 50 mA.

I think 350 mA current draw is a little bit too high and that's not good for a battery.

Thanks for your info.

Eric

That is too much. You have the right figures with the 50ma limit. An old diesel should have about nothing as there are no memories to maintain.

Hi Eric,

I don't know if there is a limit given by MB, but to check for a leak is easy. You connect your digital meter as you already have to read the current and then remove one fuse after another. The moment the current drops when you remove a fuse, you know which circuit to check.

Hope this helps.

Reinhard

I'd bet on a light being on also, probably the trunk light, as this works with the key off. The glovebox lighgt could be another one, but I think the key needs to be on for that one to work.

Gilly