Digging into a parasitc current draw on a 2001 Turbo auto. Completely off and locked up, car is seeing a 4.1 amp draw. All fuses and relays were pulled, doors were disconnected, ignition switch disconnected all made no change to the current draw. We disconnected the battery positive under the car from where it goes to alternator and starter (around the pass rear wheel) and the draw stopped. We then reconnected the battery positive and and the draw resumed, disconnected the battery positive at the starter and the draw stopped. Pulled the starter thinking it was a bad solenoid, swapped it with a new one and once the battery positive was connected to the starter the draw came back. This leads me to believe that there is either a short in the cable connecting the battery, alternator and starter or it's something I am still missing. The alternator is also brand new and recently tested. Any thoughts? am I missing something obvious?

Thanks!
Michael

 

check the diode on the alternator? Had a similar draw on my air cooled car and it was the alternator diode.

 

Test your alternator.

 

The Alternator diode and testing it as posted above are definite possibilities even though brand new...Had several (non Porsche parts come bad new....

A few questions: How old is the battery and have you tested the battery under load to make sure it is functioning properly? When you tested the drain did you do that from the negative side? If so, with all relays/fuses pulled, key off you would need to look at :
-Possible short in the back part of the fuse box (liquid or organic grounding) and the connections you mentioned
-Immobilizer circuit and DME/ECU
-Aftermarket Stereo?
-Anything else that may have been added directly to positive terminal

 

Folks,

Our newly rebuilt alternator had an internal short that was grounding out when it was place in the engine cradle. 3.4 amps going to ground.

I was convinced it was corrosion in the Y wire or the blue wire off the alternator but in the end it was just the the f'n alternator

Kinda focused on fixking 911 professionally now....shop i work in focuses on them. Looking forward to helping and sharing where i can.

-Michael