Current Draw Diagnosis Why do we use a voltage drop measurement across a fuse to determine the current draw on the circuit that the fuse feeds? use Fuse! Fuse Who figured this out? By looking at the picture above you already recognize that a voltage drop (Vd) measure- ment is being performed across a working fuse. But how is this going to help us deter- mine the current draw of the circuit? Let's find out! We can thank George Simon Ohm for his theory, He proved that voltage (V), current (A) and resistance (Q), all have effects on one another ~ remember "Ohm's Law"? Well, Engineers use this Law when designing the fuses so they “blow” when current exceeds its rated value. The data that the Current Data Matrix provides utilizes the fuse’s material cross sectional diameter (2), facilitating the true resistance of the fuse, which together with the voltage drop measurement, allows thern to calculate the current draw of the circuit. This is the reason why the chart found in the next couple of pages is so accurate. This chart MUST BE USED as indicated since each fuse size has a different cross sectional diameter! What advantage does it have? The key advantage of using this chart is that there are no math calculations needed as they have already been done for you. Itis that easy! All you need to do is measure the voltage drop (Vd) across each exposed pin of the fuse and the mllivolt [mV] reading will tell you the current consumption in the circuit that the fuse feeds. @ It is accurate to 5% on an OEM quality fuse. 216 ‘Aciancod Voice DiagnosisHow to use the chart to diagnose a Parasitic Current Draw? In order to describe how to use the chart, let us start out with the scenario of a car that exhibits a parasitic current draw, which has already been confirmed via an “Energy Management test" using BMW Diagnostic Equipment. The task that we are now facing is finding out where that current draw is located. 1, Before you begin the "Divide and Conquer” process to find the parasitic current, the car must be parked and “sleeping”. We can generically estirnate 30 minutes to full sleep in BN2020 vehicles and up to 60 minutes on BN2000 and previous models. This can still vary, so please research the sleep protocol for your model on ISTA, Itis also important to remember certain key points such as a “CAS push button that remains lit”. This would indicate bus activity and high current draws. A scenario such as this one would require you to wait or diagnose a more serious issue of a bus that will not go to sleep. Another good source of information is SI B61 08 00 Closed-circuit Current Measurement. Process is everything; you may only get one chance to replicate the draw! 2. Now, take the 100 amp clamp from the IMIB toolbox and place it over the body “B-” cable at the battery. Typically, draws that exceed 80 mA will set faults and if they are present, you are half way there! 3. Next, isolate the path of current on the voltage distributor on the battery. There are multiple paths for “B+” voltage to travel depending on the model. Everything leaving the voltage distributor is fused and the other cable goes to the front of the car (engine bay). Clamp each one individually until you locate the path of the ‘excess current. Two scenarios are possible: a) If the current that is above specs is found on the cable to the front of the car (BST protected), follow the appropriate SSP to reveal if that's the alternator, starter, etc,, and isolate the cause. b) Ifthe current that is above specs is on one of the feeds for the fuse panels), then we will be using the Current Data Matrix and measure the voltage drop across the fuse to isolate the circuit. in dropped. Please avoid this procedure if possible! Why? Because each fuse you pull may reset a control module and inate the concern. Now the diagnosis will not be possible and the car will most likely come back. So, we are going to “sneak up” on the draw. i In the past, you may have pulled fuses individually until the current y 217 Advaoos Veil Diagnosis4, The Current Draw Matrix: a) After you determined which fuse panel contains the draw, access that panel Sometimes they are difficult to access since you have to get the meter leads at each fuse contact with the fuse in the panel. Remember to leave the fuse in the panel! If the fuse has a small plastic clear cover over the ter= minals, take a dental pick and remove the cover for diagnosis, Do not forget to reinstall it after you are done! ») Move the rotary switch on your DVOM to the millivelts [mV] setting, Using the Volts [V] setting will not render the needed accuracy for this measurement! ©) Put one lead on one end of the fuse and the other lead on the opposite end (see graphic on next page). d) Keep measuring all the fuses in the panel until you get an “elevated” milivolt [mV] reading for that fuse rating (see the chart). This will indicate the parasitic draw you isolated with the amp clamp test. e) Now, isolate what is on that circuit to finalize the diagnosis. Workshop Hint ‘Some araws only show their “ugly face” in certain situ- ations: when cold: some when hot; some after driving, ‘some after sitting; some after accessory use; et, ‘This is why itis advisable to gather as much informa lion from the customer as possible , which combined with your skill and tenacity, wil make for @ successful diagnosis! 218 ‘Aciancod Voice DiagnosisUsing the Volts [V] setting will not render the needed aocuracy for this measurement! Instead, use the milivolt [mV] setting, Vd Measurement @ Fuse for Current Draw Matrix calculation. or 219 Advanoos Veil DiagnosisCurrent Draw Matrix The following chart is used to determine the amperage across a circuit by measuring the voltage drop across the fuse and cornparing it against the fuse rating. The Current Draw Matrix shows the measured voltage drop (Vd) across the fuse in the left hand column, It also shows the different fuses (Mini or Standard) with the arnperage rating (up to 30 amps). Lastly, it provides the current draw based on the Vd measurement you just performed Below is an example of how to use this Matrix: Current Draw [F 6 10 4 7 1 23 30 a7 62 3 12 20 28 2 45 61 94 123 8 30 43 20 40 ee a” 141 185 24 40 87 26 54 a 122 88 206; 30 50 n 33 67 3 152 235 308, As the example shows, there is a voltage drop of 0.2mV (1) across a Standard 5 Amp fuse (2). By performing this voltage drop it tells us that the current consumption through this circuit is 13mA (3). A This Matrix applies to OEM fuses only! 220 Acvancod Veil Diagrsisva [| Mini | mini [ Mini | Sta. | Sta. | Sta | Sta | Sta | Std mV (Current Draw [mA] 04 6 10 14 7 3 23 30 a7 62 02 72 20 28 13 27 25 a 123 03 78 30 a8 20 40 68 a iat 185 04 24 40 57 26 54 a 122 ves | 246 08 30 30 7 33 67 13 ise | 235 | 308 06 36 60 85 40 80 736 vss | 287 370 OF 42 70 89 46 94 se | 213 | 328 08 48 80 114 53 107 781 2a [as | 498 09 128 59 120 | 20a | 27a | 422 | S54 1 142 66 134 | 226 | 305 | 469 | 616 1 186 73 var | 209 | 335 | se | err 12 72 20 171 79 161 22 | 366 | 563 739 13 78 730 185 86 i7a_| 29a | 396 | 610 | aor 14 4 740 739 82 1e7_ | a7 (| 427 862 15 90 150 | 213 39 201 340 257 924 16 96 760 | 227 106 | 214 | 362 | 487 | 751 985 7 102 eo | 242 viz | 228 | 36 | sie | ror | t0a7 18 108 179 | 286 vie | 2ai aor [| sas | saa | 1109 19 114 ea | 270 12s | 254 | 430 | 57a | an | 170 2 120 29 132 | 268 | 453 | 609 1282 2. 126 | 209 139 | 287 475 | 640 1233 22 132 | 219 125 | 294 | 498 | 670 1355 23 138 [229 isz_| 308 | 521 791 ors [17 24 maa | 239 | at 168 | 32 as [731 (| 1126 | 1478 25 150 | 249 | 355 ves | 335 | see | 762 | i173 | 15a0 26 16 [280 | aso | 172 | 38 | 589 792 160 27 162 | 269 ie | 367 61 223 1663 28 168 | 279 vas | ars | 63a | ase 1725 23 i ee 192 | aes | 656 | ase | 1360 | 1786 a 180) 426 [198 | 407 679 | 914 | 1407 | 1848 34 186 441 205 | 415 | 702 | 944 | i454 | 1909 32 192 455 [211 428 724 | 975 501 | 197 33 igs [| azo | ao | 28 | aca 747 Cr oe 221 ‘Advancas Weil DiaonoisVd Std Std Std ‘Std ‘Std Std rue | sa | 75a | wa | sa | wa | 15a | 20a | 25a | soa mV ‘Current Draw [mA] aa] 20a | 309 | 88 455 [770 | 1036 | 1595 | 2008 a) 20 | 38 | 7 | ai) es | vee | tose | eae | ates 36] 26 | 359 | sto | 2m | ae2 | ois | 1097 | 009 | 2017 a7) 22 | se |e | ea | ater | are | 279 as | 26 | 379 251 360 | 1158 | vee | 2300 39 | 2489 258 | 522 | ees ime | ve9 | 2402 4 220] 309 264 | 535 | 905 | i219 | ve76 | 2464 a) 26 | 08 ai || se tana (| tea 2805 a2 | 22 | «9 | sor | or | se2 | 951 | 1280 | i970 | 2507 a3] 28 | af en) ea | avs | ors] ai | oir | zens aa_| zea | «09 | os | 21 | seo | 9% | tan | coos | 2710 a5 [0 | as |e wai ai | ere 46 | 276 | «9 | 654 | 304 vao1_| 2158 | 2803 a7_| 22 | 469 | oa | 310 7452 | 2205 | 2895 aa] 28 | a7 | eee | a7 7462_| 2252 | 2056 Ze 793 | 2298 | g018 ee 7523_| 2305 | 3080 31 [ a0 | soe | 78 | aa a Ee s2_| se | se | 79 | 30 | 69 | 17 | 158 | 2s | 200 3a | se | 8 | 753 | 350 | 709 | 1200 | ies | cas | 26a 3a] cea | sve | ver | a57 | 72a | 1222 | 60s | 2500 | 3026 5 | 20 | se | v2 | ve | 76 | 12 | tere | 2500 | s307 35 | 6 | oe | 7% | a0 | 79 | i288 | ivos | ver | aaeo 37] 32 | se | e0 | ave | 76a | 1290 | aver | cera | aon 3a | s | sve | a2a 776 [1813 | ver | 27e1 | asve 59 | 2 | see 390 | 790 7798 | 2768 | 04 6 360 | 588 396 | ~_808 728 | 2814 | 3095 i) 366 | os | eer | 43 | 16 7258 | 2861 | 3757 2) a2 | oe |e vase | 2008 | 3619 a) ae | ee | a8 Tore | 2055 | 3880 oa] sea] 6508 50 3942 35] 390 | ee | sea va7i_| 1980, | 3009 | 4008 oe vas4_| 2011 | 096 | 4065 o7_ | 402 | 668 | 952 717 | zon | ava | ata 222 Acvancod Voile DiagrsisVd Std Std Std ‘Std ‘Std Std rue | sa | 75a | wa | sa | wa | 15a | 20a | 25a | soa mV ‘Current Draw [mA] se] as | 67 | 66 310 | 1538 4188 oo) a | ees oa | 1862 7250 a oa7_| 1584 4311 7a | 5 [708 | 1008 360, | 1607 ra 72 | a | 768 | i020 964 | 1630 1434 7a) 8 [ee | 1087 oT | 1682 7196 74 | 4a | 738 | 1052 990 | 1675 4558 75 | 480 7066, [495 | 00a | 7688 a8 76 | _a56 7050 | 502] toi | i720 4681 77) a2 Tosa [508 | 1000, | ava a2 7s | a | 77 | 108 | sis | 100 | 1765 7504 73 47 | 7s [irs | see | 1057 | 1788 1865 e480 | 7 | nar | see | 1077 | ven 2927 ai) 46 | sor [iver | sas | 10a | 1033 7989 a2) #2 | sir sav | 1097] 1856 5050 aa) | eae | ome pam | ee a2 ea] 500 | sa i198 Ti24_[ 1901 5174 es | 510 | ear | tee | 561 | 1198 | 192 6 | si | 057 | tee | 508 | 151 | 1907 a7_| se | ser | 12a | s75 | tie ea | se | ev | vas | sei | 178 aa | sea | ser | izes | see | 1191 3 520] 897 sea | 1208 a) 56 | 507) 128 | 601 tere 2 sse_|_si7 | 1907 | 608 | 201 93) 58 | se | taza | ora | teas oa soa] sar | 1936 | 021 | 1258 a5 | 570 | oa” | 1a50 | 027 | tar a6 | sv | ser | ieee | oaa | 1286 o7_| se | 367) tare | em te98 374 oe | ses | sr | 1908 | oar | tore 6096 39 oer | 1ao7_ | a5 | 305 6097 70 Ea 6159 223 ‘Advancas Weil Diaoncis