Battery Draining

[Rev Run D]

Wife was driving the car, then for some reason the radio and antenna stopped working. Radio is an aftermarket JVC.

Since then, there's been a drain on the battery, and the car loses charge after a few hours. Any ideas what's going on fellas?

[ELVA164]

Well, sounds like a parasitic drain, probably related to a short in the aftermarket head unit. Buy a test light, disconnect the negative battery cable, clip the test light to the cable end, and touch the light to the battery terminal. If it lights up any more than a dim glow, you have a draw. Start pulling fuses until the light dims. Start with fuses 12, 21, 27, and 28.

Once you find a source, remember it. Make sure the light is just barely lit before you stop checking for potential sources (the OBC and head unit memory draw a negligible amount of current). Next thing to do is start checking whichever circuit is affected. That will most likely involve pulling the head unit/driver knee panel to check wiring and/or pulling back the driver side trunk lining to check the antenna ground and wiring.

[rcsoundn1]

I had a similar issue. The above advice is great advice. I have had this before so I rewired the HU and the issue for me went away. PO had wires connected that were not necessary and I assume were the cause of the draw.

[jlevie]

A test light can work, but better method is to measure the current with a DMM. Normal parasitic draw would be 30-60ma.

[Aleman]

Try this procedure:

http://www.r3vlimited.com/board/showthread.php?p=3920869#post3920869

[mjimport]

Just to add to this story, I had a battery drain caused by a power antenna that stopped working. I suspected it was the cause because the battery started draining very soon after the power antenna stopped functioning.

I went through the process of pulling fuses and sure enough it was the antenna (fuse28?)

It was drawing almost 1.3 amps! Just unplugged it and it stopped the drain. Now I need a new antenna :(

[Das Delfin]

^ I just got a $10 Advance auto antenna. Although don't get the one I got, because the base has started to rust already! From just being out in the air! No salt or anything!