hello all,
I have a 97 4runner limited with a battery drain problem.I replaced the battery,I used a multimeter on the altenator it reads about 14.3 when running, the battery goes dead in about 10-12 hours,but charges right back up when running,I had an aftermarket stereo installed but they looked at it and said it was'nt drawing power when off.I used the test light method between the negative cable and battery and found the "dome" light fuse was where the drain was coming from...but all the lights turn off when the key is off...also when I pulled the fuse out the radio went out.....but why would the stereo be on that fuse and not the acc fuse..this is all I know please help...any help would be great...thanks

 

Radio is on the stereo circuit. It is switched by acc. Thats just how toyota designed it. For starters, I'd take the dome fuse out. Then get yourself a wiring diagram and search for the short, or whatever is causing the draw.

 

Pull the positive lead of of the battery and put a multimeter between the lead and the battery. That will tell you if there is a draw. Start pulling fuses one at a time until the draw goes away. There is your issue. The dome light always seems to be one of the prime culprits but I have also eard of things like the starter causing a phantom draw.

 

If it didn't do this before the stereo was installed I would definately suspect the stereo. Most stereo shops are hacks