? w/r to parasitic draw....not (1 Viewer)

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Dana Point/San Diego CA
riddle me this batmudders:

I've been struggling for several years with a parasitic draw causing weak batteries after a couple of days.

I use one of those super portable batter boosters to bail me out.

recently went on a 5 day fly-away vacation to visit family. upon return, the rig started up (usually weak after 2 days).

Drove a week or so for local activities. Parked in the drive-way over night....weak battery. 'course the booster needed charging, so it sat for a few days. Once the booster was topped off, I started the exercise of boosting. But before I attached the jumper cables, on a lark, I tried to start it.......it started!!!!!

Any insigts to this frustrated mudder?

FYI: I've struggled to find the draw source using multi meter etc. Well aware of the engine sleep requirements. Problem is that because of all my past ortho surgeries, I can't contort well enough to check the kick panel fuses well enough :doh:
 
Drove a week or so for local activities. Parked in the drive-way over night....weak battery. 'course the booster needed charging, so it sat for a few days. Once the booster was topped off, I started the exercise of boosting. But before I attached the jumper cables, on a lark, I tried to start it.......it started!!!!!

:doh:
When you say weak battery you mean it turned over slow or didn't turn over at all? What exactly happens?
 
Drop down DVD player, have known parasitic draw.
Headlights set to auto on, is a draw. But shouldn't be issue in a DD. But is, when they sit a week or more.

No parasitic draw, but new(ish) battery weakens fast than normal. Can mean not getting a full charge. This can be a weak alternator, even sero drive belt slippage, but more often is:
  • Loose battery clamp or loose main wires to/from battery. Loose wire is often report with sudden dead engine. Also results false bad starter symptoms.
  • Oxidation or some chemical between battery post and clamp, increasing resistance and thus reducing current. Easy to test with multimeter. To correct: clean posts and clamps contact points, until shiny. Coat post with white lithium grease. Snug down (do not overtighten) battery clamps, just until they can't be rotated on post.
  • Not fully charging by driving at least once every ~5 days or lept on trickle charger. Batteries not kept fully charged at all times, sulfate.
Being all battery service. By cleaning with a baking soda and water, to neutralize acid on and around top of battery.
 
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It doesn't sound like parasitic draw to me, if it starts right up later. Sounds more like a loose/corroded ground or power connection, failing starter, etc. Using the booster may get the current to the starter over the threshold if it's marginal due to one of these issues.
 
Drop down DVD player, have known parasitic draw.
Headlights set to auto on, is a draw. But shouldn't be issue in a DD. But is, when they sit a week or more.

No parasitic draw, but new(ish) battery weakens fast than normal. Can mean not getting a full charge. This can be a weak alternator, even sero drive belt slippage, but more often is:
  • Loose battery clamp or loose main wires to/from battery. Loose wire is often report with sudden dead engine. Also results false bad starter symptoms.
  • Oxidation or some chemical between battery post and clamp, increasing resistance and thus reducing current. Easy to test with multimeter. To correct: clean posts and clamps contact points, until shiny. Coat post with white lithium grease. Snug down (do not overtighten) battery clamps, just until they can't be rotated on post.
  • Not fully charging by driving at least once every ~5 days or lept on trickle charger. Batteries not kept fully charged at all times, sulfate.
Being all battery service. By cleaning with a baking soda and water, to neutralize acid on and around top of battery.
I do have the drop down dvd, which is a pain in the a%^. I'm just super nervouse on it's removal due to the electrical sophistication of the rig.

Also have the arm rest cd gizmo that is jammed. Same concerns as the drop down.

I get real nervous due to this being my dd.
 
Drop down has two fuses install under glove box. Drop down DVD or headrest and the wiring and inline fuses are not factory installed. The rear cargo DVD player, has a defective that develops over time. It part of the function that keeps DVD playing, while you stop for say gas and turn IG SW off. It can be corrected, but comes back. Since nobody uses the DVD in most cases. We just pull the fuse killing power to DVD.

One fuse is hot at all times (IG SW on or off), which we just pull the fuse. Read through thread to find location of inline fuse under glove box. You can check if hot (12V on multimeter while IG SW off (IG key out). The pull it.
 
Drop down has two fuses install under glove box. Drop down DVD or headrest and the wiring and inline fuses are not factory installed. The rear cargo DVD player, has a defective that develops over time. It part of the function that keeps DVD playing, while you stop for say gas and turn IG SW off. It can be corrected, but comes back. Since nobody uses the DVD in most cases. We just pull the fuse killing power to DVD.

One fuse is hot at all times (IG SW on or off), which we just pull the fuse. Read through thread to find location of inline fuse under glove box. You can check if hot (12V on multimeter while IG SW off (IG key out). The pull it.
you da man!

will jump on this in the next few weeks.
 
you said it does the click click game.
have you actually checked battery voltage at this point?
you may just have a starter contact wear issue happening.
 
you said it does the click click game.
have you actually checked battery voltage at this point?
you may just have a starter contact wear issue happening.
new starter was put in a year+ ago by well known SoCal indi toyota shop (i trust 'em). I do suspect voltage might be low due to the chronic 1-2 year run with this problem. Shop is just a tad too far away due to drop/pick up logistics.

but that doesn't explain the 5+ day span of being parked, then starting right up :bang: there has to be somekind of "magic button/switch" that is thrown by yours truly. the rig as so many bells whistles (locking doors, dvd, cd players) that I'm overwhelmed on the start process (did verify a draw, just havn't located the fuse due to physical limitations listed above).

did I say I hate the local dealership.....

that's all the news not fit to print:beer:
 
I'll note:

A well known mud member/vender. Had starter issue, beginning sometime after replacing starter. It was fine for a long time, then issue began. I kept thinking it was a battery issue, since he doesn't drive it much. Even with his solar trickle charger. But after a year of this happening again and again and checking battery (big AMG) He had me replace his stater. I reseated contacts, making sure they are set properly. I was thinking this likely his issue. Something a Master tough me to do, as easier than re-due.

Anyway after replace starter. He had a no start again. This time, someone was looking under the hood in the dark/night, as he tried to start. He saw a spark, on the Slee battery connection lug. Seems one of the downstream lugs (if i had story correct) loosened, result in intermittent no start. OOPs! Missing that one.
 
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new starter was put in a year+ ago by well known SoCal indi toyota shop (i trust 'em). I do suspect voltage might be low due to the chronic 1-2 year run with this problem. Shop is just a tad too far away due to drop/pick up logistics.

but that doesn't explain the 5+ day span of being parked, then starting right up :bang: there has to be somekind of "magic button/switch" that is thrown by yours truly. the rig as so many bells whistles (locking doors, dvd, cd players) that I'm overwhelmed on the start process (did verify a draw, just havn't located the fuse due to physical limitations listed above).

did I say I hate the local dealership.....

that's all the news not fit to print:beer:
BTW: It's normal to have some draw.

Also I'll note: I've seen these rear DVD players, have intermittent draw. Where sometimes they work as they should than not. But that is mostly if used.

Another one that's tricky, is power antenna. This I've only seen with a busted mast cord. Motor keeps trying to wind down.
 
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