Parasitic Draw

[87_black_325is]

I've been trying to track down the parasitic draw in my car, so here's the details.

If I leave the battery connected overnight, the battery won't be strong enough to crank the car in the morning.

Only visible signs inside the car, are that the cigarette lighter stays powered and the indicator light for (i think) the fog lights, stays on no matter what, unless you disconnect the battery..

I spent the day at school trying to diagnose it and here is as far as I got..

The combination of pulling fuse 27, and relays K5 and K6 cause it to go away, but without pulling all of those it's above an acceptable amount of draw. Hopefully, tomorrow I'll be able to make some more progress.

If anyone has had a similar or the same problem, feel free to lay your expertise on me.

[ChaseN]

Cigarette lighter staying on is normal, FYI.

[DaveSmed]

I can see fuse 27 causing it, but I really am having trouble with the relays being involved. Do they click upon reinstallation with the key off?

[87_black_325is]

Yes, they close and stay closed with key off. The two relays made up for probably 75% of the draw according to the meter.

I wasn't sure if cigarette lighter on was normal on these cars, which was why I included it. Didn't have a chance today to read through the schematic all the way and see if it was hot all the time.

[DaveSmed]

Pic of the relays if they are anything other than orange with the roundel cast in to the top.

[bzboardz]

iv had a rely cause a draw for me before, got a new one and it fixed the problem

[BeirBrennerE30]

Your cig lighter always stays powered.
Relay K5 is one of the 2 unloader relays. This thing should be closed at all times except for when the engine is cranking.
Relay K6 is your High speed fan relay. Does your aux fan stay on after the car is off? this would kill your battery.

Fuse 27 is for your interior lights, central locking, radio, and OBC. You have an issue with any of those? maybe a hacked in radio head unit or aftemarket alarm? Also I had my interior light delay relay die once and drain the battery. Try disconnecting one of those things at a time until the draw stops.