Question battery and what the heck is the "Short Pin"

[hdtech]

Battery died today, had been suspecting it would. The green light was getting weak.

I had noticed there was some white powder buildup on the clamp. Cleaned it off and repainted the clamp.

Replaced battery and it started right up. Checked with DVM at the battery and it read 14.23V. Thought it was a little high and started the trickle charger. Well after an hour still hanging in ~8amps. Removed the negative terminal and it went to ~6 amps and started heading slowly down.

Used the ammeter and found I have a ~1.4amp draw. Removed fuse cover and was going to start going through one by one. To see which had the most effect if any or was it the alternator.???

Saw a Fuse like part called the "Short Pin". I don't know what made it go to it first. I pulled it out and voila! the amp draw went to 50mA.

Now the real question..... What the heck is a "Short Pin" and why is it there?

Any other nerds/geeks/techs ever check the draw on their battery?

To me 1.4 amps continous seems abit much.?

TIA
Mj

PS: I will check back later tonite. The "BOSS" has a honeydew list pinned to my back.

[Tundradrenalin]

RE: Short Pin

Dealer says Tundra came off truck w/o fuses?
Brand new 2006 Tundra, radio and dome lights inoperative

[hdtech]

T/dren

Thanks for the update. It turns out the right side door was also open just enough to allow the overhead light to come on. I just did not notice it in the middle of the day. The battery may or may not needed to be replaced.???

But it was 6.5 years old, so WTH. One less thing to worry about this fall.

Thanks again.

Mj