Something keeps killing a cell in my batteries. I have a parasitic drain that I've narrowed down to fuse number 9 in the under dash fuse box. The round, inline relay (can't remember the part number) under the driver's side dash gets extremely hot. Just picked up a new battery and had my alternator tested. I've replaced all power and ground cables under the hood.
I need to know what that relay does, what is on the circuit for fuse 9, and is there anything else I need to check?
Is there any chance the voltage regulator could be causing my issues?

 

- do you have access to the relevant wiring diagrams? If not, might want to download a FSM which has everything you need. Cruiser54's website harbours several, probably from your year as well.
- do you have a multimeter (I think you would, given that you are chasing a parasitic drain)

The voltage regulator being at fault, is something you'd be able to simply check by measuring battery voltage with engine off and engine running. With your alternator being tested ok, the voltage running should be at least 0.5V higher than engine off. If the alternator is providing this, you would assume that your regulator is telling it to do so.
For the 97+ the regulator is in the ECM, not sure of that would be the same for your 96

 

you need to download the '95 FSM to fault find any non-engine electrical faults for a '96

 

Do you have a link to it?

 

Technical Manuals | cruiser54

 

09 - 10A Radio/Clock Memory, Courtesy Lights, Glove Box, Cargo, Dome Lights, Telltales

Glovebox light staying on? As you're troubleshooting, you might notice a high initial draw on fuse #9 if the radio tries to eject a CD when it first gets power. That confused me one time for a bit when I was chasing a battery draw, (turned out to be the glovebox light switch was loose and sometimes stayed on).