Does the engine control module need to be replaced?

[Rick Russell]

I was chasing a drain on my battery system by disconnecting the positive cable from my battery and placing my multimeter probes on the positive battery terminal and the disconnected cable. It was showing 11.3 volts (drawing 0.3 mA) and went to 0.04 Volts when I disconnected the forward cable from my engine control module (ECM).

This, unfortunately, seems like there is a short inside of the module that is causing the differential in voltage.

Can anyone think of any reason why the ECM is fine and it is something else?

Just asking as this is about a $1,000 fix. I'm going to have the ECM bench tested by a shop before I purchase a new one.

Volvo Penta 5.7 Gi-E 2004

Thanks!

 

[Rick Russell]

Re: Does the engine control module need to be replaced?

further research indicates that my ecm is probably ok. the low amp draw at all times is apparently normal.

 

[bruceb58]

Re: Does the engine control module need to be replaced?

Just so you know for the future, the way you were measuring doesn't tell you much. If you want to measure current, just put your meter in current measuring mode. Measuring the voltage between those two points isn't really useful.