1999 Ram 2500 P0505 Code: Parasitic Draw and IAC Solenoid Power Issue
Hi, I'm Geoff and I own a 1999 Dodge Ram 2500 with a 5.9L V8 engine. My battery is consistently dying overnight, and after troubleshooting, I've identified the issue as a parasitic electrical draw originating from the ECU circuit. Using my OBD-II scan tool, I detected a P0505 code — indicating an idle air control (IAC) system malfunction — but there's no check engine light illuminated. To test this, I disconnected the IAC solenoid connector and observed that the parasitic draw dropped from 0.300 milliamps to just 0.070 milliamps, confirming the IAC as a likely source. When the ignition key was off, I measured 8 volts on one of the IAC solenoid plug terminals — which is concerning because there should typically be no power to the IAC when the engine is off. My question: Is it normal for the IAC solenoid to receive power with the key off? I can't find any official documentation confirming this behavior. Has anyone else experienced a similar issue on a 1999 Ram 25 or 5.9L V8 model? Possible causes include: - A faulty engine control module (ECU) - A short in the wiring harness - A defective IAC solenoid Any insights, experiences, or technical references would be greatly appreciated. Thanks for your help!
Please provide the 8th character of your VIN to confirm engine and transmission type. Available options: - 5.9L L6 VIN 6, Automatic - 5.9L L6 VIN 6, Standard - 5.9L V8 VIN 5, Automatic - 5.9L V8 VIN 5, Standard - 5.9L V8 VIN Z, Automatic - 5.9L V8 VIN Z, Standard