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Battery Drains

Old Oct 1, 2020 | 01:24 PM
  #1  
Ronnie's Avatar
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Battery Drains

If I leave the keys in the ignition for any length of time, it drains my battery. So putting it on accessory to listen to music while I work outside will definitely drain it. I recently had the battery checked and I was told it was still good.

So I don't understand why the battery is draining otherwise. Has anyone else had a similar issue?

I wanna listen to music
Old Oct 1, 2020 | 02:45 PM
  #2  
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I use my ipod with bluetooth speakers.
Both are rechargable.
You are using the car battery so drainage is going to happen.
ALSO every electrical component is charged, i.e. ECU, BCM, TCU is activated even though the car is not started.
Old Oct 1, 2020 | 03:16 PM
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Could you define "any length of time"? Is that 10 minutes? 20? An hour? How loud are you playing it? The louder it is, the more wattage it's pulling, the more it drains the battery.
Old Oct 1, 2020 | 04:16 PM
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The radio will automatically turn off after 10 minutes with the key in the off position.

Lonwane is correct, quite a few systems are using electricity while the key is in the accessory position. These group 90 batteries are on the small side, not a lot of reserve energy.
Old Oct 1, 2020 | 04:49 PM
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The battery will draw 5 amps with the key in the Accessory position. That's without anything else in use. A stupid design error.
I know... I learned the hard way twice.
Only way I know to remedy would be to direct wire the radio with an inline fuse, but still do not leave the key in the Acc. position for any length of time..

Silverfox

Last edited by Silverfox; Oct 2, 2020 at 09:24 AM. Reason: additional related info.
Old Oct 1, 2020 | 09:28 PM
  #6  
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Originally Posted by Lonwane
I use my ipod with bluetooth speakers.
Both are rechargable.
You are using the car battery so drainage is going to happen.
ALSO every electrical component is charged, i.e. ECU, BCM, TCU is activated even though the car is not started.
I dont have an ipod. Though I do have speakers for my phone
Old Oct 1, 2020 | 09:30 PM
  #7  
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Originally Posted by Doc brown
Could you define "any length of time"? Is that 10 minutes? 20? An hour? How loud are you playing it? The louder it is, the more wattage it's pulling, the more it drains the battery.
I havent played the stereo yet becauseI I was certain it would drain the battery.
Old Oct 1, 2020 | 11:59 PM
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Originally Posted by Ronnie
I havent played the stereo yet becauseI I was certain it would drain the battery.
Why is the key left in the accessory position, if not for the stereo?
Old Oct 2, 2020 | 09:58 AM
  #9  
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Originally Posted by RJ_RS_SS_350
Why is the key left in the accessory position, if not for the stereo?
I am saying if the key is in the ignition....not in the accessory position....it has drained the battery. I had left the keys in the ignition while I was working on my car months ago. It drained the battery.
Old Oct 2, 2020 | 10:55 AM
  #10  
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Originally Posted by Ronnie
I am saying if the key is in the ignition....not in the accessory position....it has drained the battery. I had left the keys in the ignition while I was working on my car months ago. It drained the battery.
Oh, that's very different. That should not happen.

I have to ask how long it was parked without being driven? Sitting for weeks can drain an older battery enough that it has a hard time starting the vehicle. Made worse if you are leaving doors open while performing repairs or maintenance. Having the key in or out would not affect this.

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