Battery drain

[Sandy J]

I had something similar on a Used Honda Fit I bought in Thailand .. It sit over one day and battery drained . Took to several shop with NO RESULTS ! Finally drove to Honda Shop and left overnite as they had to plug inti test equipment . Culprit was INSTRUMENT CLUSTER ; so it was replaced $150.00 in Thailand >> NO MORE PROBLEMS !

Sandy J

[Brad]

The problem is when the auto-shutoff doesnt work. In my case I think it was the rear hardtop window heater that failed to shut off.

Brad, did you see that red tbird for $2,800? You could give it to the kids for Christmas.

Yup, trying to figure a way to get it, I think shipping it might be the best way to go, was considering flying a kid out with tools and have him drive it back, but that might not work out so well.

[steelblue5505]

Another thought on this is regarding your alternator and its related charging circuitry. You may be driving the car but it may not be charging the battery enough.
Also you have not mentioned or maybe I missed it but exactly how old is the battery? An aging battery or one with a weak cell doesn't take or hold a charge as well or as long as a newer battery.

[007Cruiser]

Yup, trying to figure a way to get it, I think shipping it might be the best way to go, was considering flying a kid out with tools and have him drive it back, but that might not work out so well.

I agree that shipping would be best. The car has no heat, bad COPS, and a leaky rear window. Imagine driving that far with no heat. I’ve done that and it’s not fun. It sounds like it’s one notch above a parts car. God only knows what else could go wrong.

[Jimr]

Yup, trying to figure a way to get it, I think shipping it might be the best way to go, was considering flying a kid out with tools and have him drive it back, but that might not work out so well.

I think shipping from Florida to your place via open carrier should cost $700 or $800. Plane fair, hotel and Gas is going to cost you almost that much or more.

[Brad]

I think shipping from Florida to your place via open carrier should cost $700 or $800. Plane fair, hotel and Gas is going to cost you almost that much or more.

Yup, but the thought of buying site unseen is scary, I'm trying to get some pictures....and little things....like the fact that she's been driving for 6 months with 2 cylinders out! On the plus side I already have a parts car with a good engine.

[CVCashmere]

There are many circuits in the Retro that are electrically HOT at all times. There are about 35 fuses that are labeled HOT all the time, at the ready to provide a power source to a function whether the ignition is on or off.

The places to begin looking for shorts are the places or functions that are usable that do not require the key to be on such as; the power mirrors, the power seats, the telescoping steering wheel, the power door locks, interior lights and the remote keyless entry.

A lot can be eliminated by removing one by one the 4 large relays found in the battery junction box. They are SSP1-4. These Switched System Power Relays are HOT at all times & each provides power to a separate part of the car. By removing just one and waiting overnight to see if battery power is lost would tell you a lot about what area of the car to look deeper for a battery draining problem.

Doggone good write up!

CVCashmere

[Jimr]

Yup, but the thought of buying site unseen is scary, I'm trying to get some pictures....and little things....like the fact that she's been driving for 6 months with 2 cylinders out! On the plus side I already have a parts car with a good engine.

You buying for salvage price. What's to look at.

[CrazyZ]

Hi there!

I have the same battery drain issue. Last week I had to jump start the car. I called the roadside assistance and the guy measured the battery, saying that everything´s okay with it. The battery is less than two years old. So after that I took a 30 minute ride, and returned home. On the next morning everything worked fine.I drove to my working place. Returned to the car after 8 1/2 hrs of work and same story as the day before. Jump started the car and drove home.

At home I took out the fuse for the trunk light, because it happened before that I accidentally left the trunk lid ajar. I removed the fuse of the radio, too. And I locked the car without activating the alarm system.

I haven´t moved the car over Christmas for 4 days. Until yesterday. Drove to work, and back without any issues, thinking that did the job.

Drove the car to work this morning, but again....had to jump start it after work.

Funny thing is, that the three times when the battery went dead were when I had the car parked on the very same parking space at work. Yesterday I had to park the car elswhere because my common parking lot was occupied and nothing happend. :P

Now I come to a theory that might sound strange: a couple of weeks ago the parking brake checking light goes on while driving. It sometimes goes off again, depending on whenever I drive the car up- or downhill.

That certain parking spot where the battery went empty is a little aslope. A little downhill and to the right side.

Yeah, I know, it sounds crazy, but could it be that the sensor of the parking brake system still sends out signals to the computer, even if the ignition is off?

Another thing that came to my mind is, that the driving distance from my home to my office is about 2.2 miles short. I thought that maybe the short distance would´nt be enough to keep the battery up. But I never had any issues with the battery for almost 2 years. And as I said, the roadside assistance guy said, that the battery is still strong and working fine. Plus, I haven´t moved the car for 4 days, and the battery still was okay. Drove the car two times after the 4 day break, and it went empty again.

I am going to celebrate New Year´s Eve out of town. I´ll leave the bird another 4 days untouched. We´ll see what´s gonna happen when I return.

Anny suggestions? And sorry for my bad English. ;)

[kbrighton]

Now I come to a theory that might sound strange: a couple of weeks ago the parking brake checking light goes on while driving. It sometimes goes off again, depending on whenever I drive the car up- or downhill.

That certain parking spot where the battery went empty is a little aslope. A little downhill and to the right side.

Yeah, I know, it sounds crazy, but could it be that the sensor of the parking brake system still sends out signals to the computer, even if the ignition is off?

Your English is very good. I don't know about the battery problem, but the brake light coming on while driving is an indication of low brake fluid. You should get that checked. It could be you have a leak.