Help Power draw from battery when vehicle is off
#1
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Power draw from battery when vehicle is off
So I got to my car after work today and it was completely dead. Doors wouldn't even open with the intelligent key. Got a jump start and car worked fine. Drove home, no issues. Left it for about an hour then came back and it started fine. At this point I'm thinking 1 of 2. Either I left something on by mistake for 9 hours and it drained the battery OR there's an electrical leak somewhere. So I switched the car off, went to the battery, disconnected the negative terminal and hooked up a multimeter in series to read how many amps were being drawn. It showed around 0.8-0.9A!
My question is, is this normal? I know even when the car is off the analog clock is working and the receivers for ikey signal are also working, but is it normal to go up to 0.9A? I'm really hoping I don't have an electric leak or a short somewhere, but with all the custom wiring that I have done I wouldn't be surprised. Can someone with a multimeter be a champ and run a quick check for me
My question is, is this normal? I know even when the car is off the analog clock is working and the receivers for ikey signal are also working, but is it normal to go up to 0.9A? I'm really hoping I don't have an electric leak or a short somewhere, but with all the custom wiring that I have done I wouldn't be surprised. Can someone with a multimeter be a champ and run a quick check for me
#3
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I see, I may as well just disconnect it then because I believe it is controlled by the OEM ECU which is non-existent in my case.
#4
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sam i had a similar issue with my car here in Canada... battery dies after awhile! , changed the battery twice and then found there is a problem with the alternator!
it chargers the car when it's running but when it's parked it drains the battery!, i changed it and problem was solved!
it chargers the car when it's running but when it's parked it drains the battery!, i changed it and problem was solved!
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G37Sam (05-20-2013)
#5
Lexus Defector
iTrader: (60)
sam i had a similar issue with my car here in Canada... battery dies after awhile! , changed the battery twice and then found there is a problem with the alternator!
it chargers the car when it's running but when it's parked it drains the battery!, i changed it and problem was solved!
it chargers the car when it's running but when it's parked it drains the battery!, i changed it and problem was solved!
#7
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not sure how but he said he checked the battery when the car is off and he saw the battery is slowly getting drained!!...more than it should! and the alternator was the problem! even though it charges the battery fine when the car is running!
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#10
Just say no!!!!!
iTrader: (14)
I can see this happening if the alternator has some sort of internal short that grounds out B+. The wiring within the stator or armature would provide some resistance vs a direct short, some current draw would be present.
Sam, I think it's easy enough to test by just disconnecting the connection at the B+ terminal on the alternator (thickest gauge wire going to the alternator). Be careful not to ground it, else you'll see sparks and further bad things may happen. With the car off, do your current draw test again. If the draw is reduced, you may have found the issue.
Sam, I think it's easy enough to test by just disconnecting the connection at the B+ terminal on the alternator (thickest gauge wire going to the alternator). Be careful not to ground it, else you'll see sparks and further bad things may happen. With the car off, do your current draw test again. If the draw is reduced, you may have found the issue.
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G37Sam (05-20-2013)
#11
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Thanks for your feedback fella's. It is indeed abnormal for an alternator to draw power but from what I read, a busted diode inside it can actually cause it to draw power when the vehicle is off. Will have to test it out, If it passes my test I will tackle the Vent Control afterwards.
#12
Registered User
i swear! that's what the mechanic said!...paid around $500 to change it and then problem was solved!
not sure how but he said he checked the battery when the car is off and he saw the battery is slowly getting drained!!...more than it should! and the alternator was the problem! even though it charges the battery fine when the car is running!
not sure how but he said he checked the battery when the car is off and he saw the battery is slowly getting drained!!...more than it should! and the alternator was the problem! even though it charges the battery fine when the car is running!
Anyway, I drove my accord on the same brakes for another 25k miles before I sold it to get my G.
The moral of the story.... if it sounds fishy, get a second opinion.
G37sam, My 09 had similar issues and I took it to my local Infiniti dealer and was told that it was an issue with the BCM/VCV valve/Battery and all were replaced under warranty in regards to a TSB.
David
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G37Sam (05-20-2013)
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