What is causing my battery to drain?
03-24-2014 | 12:16 PM
#1
Thread Starter
Cruisin'
Joined: Jan 2014
Posts: 17
Likes: 5
From: NorCal
What is causing my battery to drain?
I tried 'search' for this problem but could not find anything. I drive this car to work Monday to Friday and it starts fine. The car sat from Saturday night to Monday morning and would not start. I measured the batter voltage and it was around 11.5. I've had the car for about 5 months now and it did not start on a couple of occasions when it just sat for a few days. I replaced the battery a month ago from Sam's Club just for my peace of mind. Any ideas what could be causing this? My car is a stock '08TL. TIA.
03-24-2014 | 12:18 PM
#2
Cruisin'
Joined: Mar 2014
Posts: 17
Likes: 4
From: St.Louis, MO
It could be the HFL unit draining the battery, that is an issue with some of these cars. If that IS the case you have a couple options. Disconnect the unit rendering it useless, or replacing the unit.
The following users liked this post:
EvilVirus (03-24-2014)
03-24-2014 | 12:51 PM
#4
Racer
Joined: Sep 2013
Posts: 440
Likes: 68
From: Miami, FL
A quick way to test if it is your HFL is to go to your MID controls, go to the bluetooth screen and press enter. If it never goes past "booting up", then you'll know for sure that it is indeed the HFL unit that has stopped working.
03-24-2014 | 01:16 PM
#5
04-TL/MDX/77-CELICA GT
Joined: May 2011
Posts: 19
Likes: 3
From: Michigan
If disconnecting the HFL does not resolve it, check out "How To Perform a Parasitic Draw Test - EricTheCarGuy" on Youtube. This is a pretty straightforward procedure you can do with an inexpensive multi-meter. If I remember correctly, you only need access to the fuse boxes. Start with the one under the hood first as it is easier to access.
Trending Topics
03-27-2014 | 12:58 PM
#8
Instructor
Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 122
Likes: 9
From: Queens N.Y.C.
so i had a simliar issue in about November, 2 days ina row it was dead. tested the original acura battery after jumping it 2x and then charging it up at a friends shop and he said the battery was fine and the voltage was good. it died again on the 4th day. HOWEVER After the 3rd time and fourth day, i turned the doom lights off that it would not turn on unless i pressed them. and SINCE then i havent had the issue. Lesson learned: carry jumper cables. ive also added a remote start since then and still have had no issues (dont know if that helps but i just deceided to throw the info in)
Last edited by romeotl3; 03-27-2014 at 01:10 PM.
03-27-2014 | 01:02 PM
#9
Instructor
Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 122
Likes: 9
From: Queens N.Y.C.
ps??? (im sure this is a NOOB Question BUT) whats the HFl you guys are talking about? i have no clue what this acrynom stands for? i also didnt realize DRL was daytime running lights for the first 3 months LoL..
The following users liked this post:
romeotl3 (03-27-2014)
03-27-2014 | 04:52 PM
#12
Three Wheelin'
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 1,562
Likes: 85
From: Minneapolis, MN
04-04-2014 | 10:16 AM
#13
Thread Starter
Cruisin'
Joined: Jan 2014
Posts: 17
Likes: 5
From: NorCal
Update. I pulled fuse #6 and my battery still drains. Then I pulled the HFL plug and put the fuse back. Still drain. I will be doing the test for parasitic draw tomorrow.
With the HFL plug disconnected I still get the 'booting up' message in MID. Is this normal?
With the HFL plug disconnected I still get the 'booting up' message in MID. Is this normal?
04-04-2014 | 05:05 PM
#14
Racer
Joined: Jan 2013
Posts: 329
Likes: 56
From: Haiti
Yea, it's normal to say booting up when disconnected
04-09-2014 | 10:04 AM
#15
Thread Starter
Cruisin'
Joined: Jan 2014
Posts: 17
Likes: 5
From: NorCal
Turns out my new battery of 3 months had a bad cell and would not hold a charge. It would drain down to ~10.6V after sitting for 8-12hours. The HFL seems to cause my original problem. Thanks to everyone who helped.
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
MetalGearTypeS
3G TL Audio, Bluetooth, Electronics & Navigation
6
08-29-2016 09:28 PM