MiralliMax

Replaced 3 batteries on this car since I got it in 2011. Lately it drains the battery within 4-5 days when not driven. Tried locking the car. I measured that car when off draws 550 mA which is 8-10 times the normal. Batteries die on this car because they get drained too many times. I see online that other people have same issue but I haven't seen anyone finding a solution. People mentioned that possible problem could be one of the ECUs. Anyone else had this problem? Any input would be appreciated. THANK YOU!

litzdog911

More likely you've got a lamp somewhere stuck on. One troubleshooting technique is to monitor the current drain while removing one fuse at a time until you isolate the circuit that's draining the battery. Just be sure to tape closed the door lamp switch so you can open the door without turning on any lights.

kickin8

iTrader: (1)

do you have any aftermarket stuff installed?

NVAKeith

iTrader: (1)

This. I recall someone postng that their aftermarket aux input on the stock stereo was causing a parasitic draw.

RX3302004

It won't show you the issue but a battery tender might help from having a dead battery.

takeshi74

Not specific to the RX but it's another example of parasitic draw. I had another car with a battery that kept dying after a number of days. Eventually I remembered that I connected an ELM327 to the ODBII port to view data and it was the source of the parasitic draw.

MiralliMax

The glow department lamp is not working. Also, the switch for the passengers light above the back seat seems not to be working properly but the light is never on. I wonder if a faulty switch could use up power without light being on?

I did a test for parasitic draw few months ago. Forgot now which fuse it was but I know it was one that had a lot of things going trough that it really didn't help me narrow down the problem. My conclusion back then was that one of the ECUs is faulty. Thanks a lot for your reply!

MiralliMax

No, nothing aftermarket. The only thing I can think of now is a tape to 3.5mm audio adapter (see picture) that is always in the tape deck. That can't be drawing power even when car is off? Thanks a lot for your help

MiralliMax

Hmm I don't have any aftermarket aux inputs except a tape to 3.5mm audio adapter as I mentioned in the previous reply. Thanks a lot for your help

MiralliMax

You are right. I've been using one for the past 2 years. Sometimes I forget to plug it in every 4-5 days and the battery dies. Thanks a lot for your reply

MiralliMax

That is good to know. i never had anything connected to the OBDII port. Thanks a lot for your help

litzdog911

This is your best shot of narrowing down the power draw. Once you know which fuse knocks out the power draw, you can begin checking the items fed through that fuse one-by-one. Otherwise you're just guessing.

Keep us posted!

Billiemo

This has been meticulously maintained and I do not want to get another vehicle.
Battery is less than a year old. The local specialist for batteries and electronics has not found anything wrong with the battery, alternator or a drain from the electrical system. They recommend a battery tender at this point. I am still mystified.
I had surgery in 2019 and the car set for awhile in the garage and there was never a problem with that battery.
This battery was put in in July 2020 and has a 5 year warranty. I had surgery in December and it sat in the garage for 8 weeks. The battery died twice in two days and I took it to the battery people. They kept it overnight and said battery had been drained. It sat for two weeks and I drove it for about 5 miles and it sat again for ,,,,,would not start and had to jump it 2 days ago to take to detailer. He drove it across town and had the doors open on the car and went to bring it back to me and it would not start. Yesterday took it to the battery and electrical people and they went over everything and tell me there is no problem with battery or electrical. The alternator is fine. I can't feel confident with this battery and yet am told there is nothing wrong. I have not choice but to have the battery intender installed but I cant help but think it is a drain somewhere. They are saying absolutely not no problem. I don't understand why I never had the problem with the old battery two years ago. There are only a few thousand miles put on the vehicle since the surgery in 2019. Any ideas where this issue is coming from?

mandyfig

At this point, invest in a battery tender, use quick connects and live with the fact that your car will have to have a battery tender. As it is you have spent a good deal of time and money and running empty. Get the tender while you continue to debug this issue. Or find a good car electrical shop. Good luck.

iMSQ

Remove everything you installed extra into your car.
Replace the battery by warranty,
Look how the new battery will behave.