Hey all,

I'm new to the fourm,I have been having a parasdic drain and refuse to bring the vehicle to the stealership so I come here for advice..I work at a auto salvage yard and bought my mom a 2011 Ford Escape front wheel drive 2.5 escape that was tipped over on its side in a snow bank and it poped the 2 roof airbags and driver side seat belt..I replaced everything that needed to be replaced and the vehicle is perfect besides needing the occupant seat sensor calibrated.The one issue I'm having is a battery drain,I have a 0.95 drain so I started pulling fuses and found the instrument cluster 10amp fuse(#26)was the circuit causing the drain.i unplugged the cluster with the fuse back in and the drain is gone down to .19(which is normal)..I was wondering if any of you think it may be the cluster?or something else in the circuit that having the cluster plugged in May complete??..when i pull the 10amp fuse the only thing on in the cluster is the air bag light(due to the sensor not yet calibrated)..with the fuse taken out is this light still suppose to be on or do you think it's a short?...any information will be greatly appreciated

Thanks,
Craig

 

Did you ever fix this problem? I have the same problem with a 2009 Ford Escape. Parasitic draiin brought to shop stated instrument cluster. Replaced instrument cluster via Circuit Board Medics. Installed it not problem for 6 months, Now same problem. My test for parasitic drain positive. Now trying to trace down specifically what wire it is coming from. Frustrating.

 

Both of your vehicles have a vehicle "Network" and the Instrument cluster is one of the modules in the network.
Either there is a problem within the Instrument cluster ,,OR something is keeping a module or modules from going into sleep mode and the IC is responding.
There are some special procedures to follow in attempting to pin down parasitic drains and they do get involved and it might be a good idea to get some background from a few videos on U Tube..

 

What do you think about using a low voltage amp meter to check each wire coming out of the PCM on the firewall?

 

I think you are exactly right. I replaced the instrument cluster and I must still have a slow drain. Finding the module that is not going to sleep appears to be the problem. I read in other forums the rear windshield motor may be drain. I will try to unplug it is see if there is a difference.

 

That rear wiper motor is always a good place to check.

There are easier ways to locate parasitic drains like doing voltage drop testing across all the fuses after certain conditions are met such as time allowed for modules to go into sleep mode, setting the stage , so to speak, before beginning testing. Suggest you watch a few videos "By real technicians" on U tube. Anybody can put a video on U tube ,some are OK and some are questionable.

 

Did you locate the issue? I have the exact same drain on my 2012 escape. Fuse#26 causing .96amp drain

 

@tkeslin , @James Hitzman , @2011_ford_escape - did any of you diagnose the instrument panel parasitic drain? How did you go about doing so?