Need to end parasitic drain, tips?

[02FailBlazer]

I'm 99% sure the aftermarket Pioneer radio in my TB, installed by the previous owner, is the source of a parasitic drain the vehicle has had since I got it. Batteries can die in a week, two weeks tops if the vehicle isn't driven.

Why I think it's the radio - For one, it's aftermarket, and plenty of people screw up aftermarket electronics installs. Second, it has an intermittent issue where the radio visibly turns on but no sound is produced by the speakers. Turning the vehicle off and on again always fixes this. Suggests to me that it may not have been wired up properly.

It could be something else, but the prime suspect is the radio. What do I do from here? I have zero experience chasing electrical issues or doing radio installs so this is all new territory for me, but I need to put an end to this drain. Can't have this thing killing batteries left and right.

 

[Mooseman]

I once had a radio interface that did both, I think it was a Metra. To be sure, you would have to do a parasitic drain test. Lots of videos on YT on how to do this.

 

[movietvet]

Look in to a Power Probe Draw unit. You tube videos about that, too.

It helped me find an intermittent draw through the under hood light and thru the lighter socket that she uses for her cell phone charger. The neat thing about it is that you use it and it supplies a power source, so that if you unhook the battery, it does not lose the draw.

 

[mrrsm]

...and there are some particular GMT NATION SOLVED! Threads that can help with avoiding "plowing the field" in the wrong furrow

T

SOLVED! Post in thread 'Radio drains the battery in about 2 days.'

Oct 20, 2023

Had seen the first two SMA videos in the recent past,this last one sure does explain things.Eric is super sharp.

On this TB the weird thing is a Bose radio would not cause a parasitic draw but the old radio and matching wrecking yard radio would draw.Thanks to all that spoke up here.

• TBgonzo

• 

SOLVED! Thread 'Parasitic battery drain'

Mar 31, 2024

Figured this might be the best place to post this question! So the parasitic drain is sadly not gone. However, I noticed the negative braided ground had corroded away. Does this tie into the underhood fuse box, or attach somewhere else? I've got a new strap ordered along with some replacement wiring loom.

I suppose it's technically more of a parasitic drain, then a draw with how quickly it's depleting the battery.

• Mike534x
• Replies: 52
• Forum: Technical Discussion

 

[02FailBlazer]

So, not much to go on yet, but I did a basic drain test - pulled off negative cable, held negative multimeter lead to negative cable, positive lead to negative post on battery, and read the amp draw.

It would start out around 2 amps and then drop after about ~25 seconds to .02 amps. Did this both before and after a drive. Reading some of the threads linked above though it sounds like things can click on and off over longer periods of time, so this may not have captured everything.

 

[Mooseman]

Looks normal but it's true that some things might pull power intermittently. One thing you can do is unplug the OnStar module under the passenger seat. It might try to connect to a cell network that no longer exists. I know Subarus have that problem.