can a starter solenoid short out and drain a battery?

[Chuckman]

can a starter solenoid arc over and drain a battery intermittently? this is an integrated chevy unit and Im thinking about remotely mounting another one to help troubleshoot the system. Ive checked everything else and this seems to be the problem. it seems to pull enough amps to kill the battery, but not enough to spin.

 

[Falko]

From your description I assume you meant starter relay, not solenoid?

 

[mysterync]

What kind of current are you seeing?

 

[Fabrik8]

So if you completely disconnect power to it, the problem goes away?

 

[Jeff B]

I have a 94 volvo doing the same thing. Not sure where it is coming from. I have narrowed it down to a .5 amp draw. Coming from a small hot wire on the battery. with everything in the car on, max amp draw is about 60, I found a 150 amp continuous duty solenoid on ebay for $22. also had to install a push button to excite the alt. so it would charge.

Hell, it's a $700 pos beater.. 310k on the clock but still ticking!