ILJohn

I replaced the battery in my 2006 Civic with 270k miles on it a month ago. A week or so after, I tried to start it and totally dead after sitting for 3-4 days. I jumped it, started fine. I took it to Advanced Auto and they checked battery and charging system, said it was fine. However, when I turned the car off, guy said it was drawing 5-7 time more than it should when shut off. I took it to a shop I trust, they checked all the circuits and could tell it was drawing more when shut off, but couldn't find the cause.

Was talking to a guy at work and he said the alternator on a skid steer loader on their farm was causing parasitic battery draw, not something that would normally be found. I took the car back to the shop, asked about the alternator theory and said they would check. They tested and kept it for 4 days, started fine.

I took it home drove it a bit and let it sit 3 days. When I opened the door, not enough current for the dome light. I jumped it and started fine.

Any thoughts on other paths to check? I'd like to give it to my son to drive for the winter, but he lives in Madison, WI and the car would be sitting outside.

Thanks in advance for your help.

ezone

I'd like to know what the actual drain current is

Fold down the back seat and see if the trunk light is stuck on
See if the AC compressor clutch stays engaged when the system is turned off

ILJohn

Thanks for the response. I have checked the trunk light. Not sure how to check if the clutch is engaged when the system is off. The shop I took it to said they went fuse by fuse to check for the drain. Would that not find an issue with a sticking compressor clutch. If is is staying engaged, what would be the fix?

The shop did tell me the current drain they found vs normal. I forget the actual numbers, but it was in the neighborhood of 6 times spec.

ezone

If the issue does not always act up, they can't find it if it is not acting up.



Only if it's acting up while they are looking. And IF the person actually knows what they are doing. (Electrical is certainly not for all mechanics, very few are really good with it) The relay that controls it, it is a well known problem.

Normal will be in the 20-30mA range.

An AC clutch that's stuck turned on will probably cause a draw in the 3-4 amp area.

ILJohn

Thanks much. Clutch is not engaging when try to turn it on. Got a new relay will try when I have some light.

ezone

Why doesn't it engage? When did the AC last work?


Just remove the suspect relay, see if draw goes away.

Do you know WHICH of the dozen+ relays is for the compressor clutch?

ILJohn

I'm hoping the same bad relay that is potentially causing drain is causing A/C not to work. I live in the midwest so haven't needed a/c for a couple months.

There is a diagram on the relay/fuse box. It's marked clutch.

ezone

#1 is the clutch relay

ILJohn

Thanks much.

ILJohn

Though I had this taken care of. Replaced the relay and the a/c works fine. Let it sit for a couple days, dead again.

ezone

Now you may need an ammeter, voltmeter, and a wiring diagram to track down the draw.

ILJohn

FYI, if anyone is interested. Found an auto electrical shop in my community and they have appeared to find the issue. Said a short in the power window switch was causing battery drain. $90 switch from Honda and a couple hours labor seems to be working.

CraigW

iTrader: (1)

^^^^ Trouble is, the PW circuit would not have Voltage present when parked.

ezone

Had to check a wiring diagram:
The master window switch does indeed have at least one wire that is hot at all times. (all trims higher than DX)

ILJohn

Mine is an EX You're good.

The shop that finally fixed it is a small shop, owner is 60+ in business same location for 30+ years. I sent the car up to WI with my son for the snowy months (he has a 2WD pickup) told him it seemed to be working fine after sitting for 3 days but to try and run it every couple days just in case.

Thanks for all your help.

CraigW

iTrader: (1)

^^^ Very sorry.... spoke too soon.

Thanks for updates.

ILJohn

My son pointed out it's probably the mechanism that allows you to raise window with the key out of the ignition before you open the driver's door.