DCJodon

Hey all,

Over the past month, my car started to drain it's battery after sitting for about ~12 hours, and I would need a jump to get it started. Had the battery tested (it was only a year old battery at the time), turned out it was bad. Got it replaced under warranty, threw it in, car fired right up, thought the problem was fixed, thought nothing of it. Fast forward 5 days after replacing the battery; it's dead again. Jumped it and got it to turn on, except this time with a CEL. Didn't wanna risk turning it off, so I drove it back to my hometown right away (70 miles, had no choice).

It drove fine and dandy, when I got back home, I shut it off. Right away I tried to fire it back up. It cranked but will not turn over. When I have the key to ACC, everything lights up and the radiator fans blare (never happened before). My inclination is a bad sensor? Specifically the crank posi sensor. If it's burnt out, could it be causing parasitic draw to the battery? I'm leaving the car at the shop this monday to get the codes and have it fixed, but I'm looking for a second opinion before then.

Thanks

Spike100

@DCJodon, That is certainly a very frustrating problem. Yikes!

It’s possible you have a sensor problem, but I really doubt that explanation. I think it’s a wiring problem: A constant power wire is hooked to a device that draws current whether or not the ignition is switched.

Do you have any aftermarket devices (H/U, amp, anything…) installed in your car?

--Spike

DCJodon

Nope, everything is all stock inside and out.

padilla03z

iTrader: (2)

that happened to me once but Idk what fixed it because I bought a battery for it being dead and a starter because it would click when I tried to crank and I didn't do the best troubleshooting job....are ur connections tight at ur battery? mayb they r wiggling loose. might b time for new cnnections

DCJodon

Both connections are solid with brand new wires.

Spike100

The car won’t start after you drive it for awhile?

If that is the case, you have a faulty alternator.

--Spike

DCJodon

I wouldn't immediately assume that, it never ever died while driving, which is a typical symptom of alternator failure, and there is constant charge to the battery while running. It's not an issue of the car not charging, it's a parasitic draw while the car is off which is stemming into further issues.

Spike100

A defective alternator will rarely cause the car to die while driving. Your good battery (the old one would not, but the new one did) will keep the car going.

Your problem occurs when the car sits after it has been driven, and the battery is depleted.

You have a defective alternator. Fix this and your problem will go away.

--Spike

RMichael

this man speaks the truth

DCJodon

Would it also cause the rad fans to blare? I'm still not entirely sold on the alternator, especially when I get a read of 14 - 14.5 when the engine runs. I will suggest it to the shop though, I'll update once I find out the issue for sure.

RMichael

yeah or ask the puter what's going on. It is 2013.

DCJodon

I work in IT, never trust a computer.

labelworkshop75

iTrader: (13)

Most auto parts stores will check alternators for freezy

DCJodon

We're having difficulty pulling the codes, again never trust a computer. We've already confirmed that it's not the alternator. Going to pull the crank sensor next. Hopefully this thread will help out anyone with similar issues.

DCJodon

Looks like it was a bad ECM fuse. Replaced it, problems resolved.