Hi all,

I recently bought a new battery for my 2004 TL as it four years old and getting weak. A week after this, my daugther tried to start it and it wouldn't start. Battery seemed drained. I jump started it, figuring that maybe she left the lights on and didn't want to tell me. A few days later, and the same thing, after running fine the day before, battery dead. Had AAA come out. The guy hooked up his a starter battery, and it started right up. He then put on a diagnostic thing, and said that the battery was being drained after the car was off. He didn't know a lot about it though. I figured maybe the alternator was bad. Drove it to the shop, turned it off, and thought of something. Looked in the center console bin, and there was a GPS plugged in! Briefly talked to the mechanic and he said that might be it.

So the outlet in the center console powers the GPS even when the car is off? Do you think this is the problem? Thanks.

 

Is your HFL unplugged? That's more likely the culprit

 

No, it doesn't work so I could certainly try that if unplugging the GPS doesn't solve it. Is it easy to unplug?

 

unplug the HFL. That is almost definitely your problem since you said it doesn't work. Plenty of threads about it. It's very easy to do. There are youtube videos on it.

 

GPS should not be your issue and I don't think you can just unplug it. The HFL is 95% of our battery drain problems.

 

he's talking about an external GPS unit

 

I am pretty sure the power outlets in my '05 are ignition switched....

The two common battery drains on these cars are the HFL which has been mentioned as well as the A/C clutch. The HFL is an easy check...feel your windshield above the rear view mirror after the car has been off for an hour...if it is still warm, your HFL is still energized draining your battery.

 

Thanks for the suggestions! Battery dead again this morning. Time to unhook the HFL! Is this constant draining ruining my new battery?

 

I have heard on this forum that the power outlet in the front is ignition switched, and the one in the center console is not.

 

I don't think so..

 

They're definitely both ignition switched. I leave stuff plugged in on in the one under the arm rest with no issues.

 

Thanks for clarifying. I think it's my other vehicle I was thinking of.

I unhooked my HFL this morning, I am hoping it solves the issue.

 

Now this morning it turns over but won't start. Fast ticking. This is getting frustrating.

 

AAA came out, same problem, battery draining. It was not the HFL. Time to bring it to the garage. Thanks for everyone's help.

 

Let us know how it turns out as it is pretty rare for it not be the HFL. Especially when you said you had issues with it.

 

A/C Clutch relay would be next culprit

https://acurazine.com/forums/3g-tl-p...lution-957280/

 

When I dropped it off, that is what they said was the next likely culprit. I hope so, since it seems like that is an inexpensive fix?

 

As simple as unplugged old relay and installing new one

 

i've been having the exact same issues OP!

check out my thread here: https://acurazine.com/forums/3g-tl-p...bvious-961517/

will take it to a mechanic this week and see if maybe the A/C clutch is causing the same problem

 

So, to give an update, they did replace the A/C clutch relay, and the problem persisted after that. The garage suggested that I replace the battery. I did that. That seemed to work. Now, about a month later, the problem is back. This time, I took the battery out, charged it for about 16 hours. I put the battery back in this morning. When I attached it, I smelled a slight burning smell, and saw a little light smoke coming from the coil area (?) (when standing in front of the car, the silver thing in the front left with the copper wire in it. The car started reluctantly. I left it running, went inside for 5 minutes, and when I came back out, it had already shut off. Battery was dead again. Any ideas? This is getting maddening.

 

Are you referring to the alternator? If it was smoking...that is a sure sign something is wrong.

 

Sorry, I don't know. Not sure how else to describe it.

 

Photos.

 

^^^^^ If the battery wasn't fully charged before you did this, then you can't be sure that it's not the HFL.


Did they even test the alternator? It could be bad or the diodes in the alternator could be shot.

One last thing. Do you have NAVI? If so, it could be the NAVI. See TSB B05-029: http://techinfo.honda.com/Rjanisis/pubs/SB/B05-029.PDF

I know it says for 05TL, but I have an 04TL and received the letter....(This was years ago).

 

Disconnect negative cable and check for drain. Garage should have done this before jumping into the A/C clutch repair.

 

Thanks for the suggestions. I don't have NAVI. The battery charger that I have is an old one that I bought probably in 1990. The analog needle gauge that shows amps on the front is not working, but when I connect it I do hear a humming and see a spark when connecting to the battery. There is no chance it could have overcharged the battery, right? I don't think that is possible. I had it connected for about 14 hours. Based on the way it cranked when it started, it didn't seem to be fully charged. I guess I should charge it again to try and troubleshoot?

 

The garage said they checked for drain and did not see any drain. I don't know how to check this.

 

Depending on the amperage of that charger, yes it is "possible" the battery was overcharged. At this point...anything is possible.

1.) Take a picture of the thing you said had smoke coming out of it so we can confirm what you were referring to.

2.) Less likely this is a drain issue, but probably a lack of charging issue since you said the car died while running. If the car can't keep itself running, there are bigger issues at play like a failed alternator or a truly failed battery.