What's the easiest way to check for phantom loads on my 12V? All, I have a 2009 with the key fob. Recently (about a month ago) I replaced the 12V battery (got the ABS brake system warning, was connected to low battery voltage). Twice now, my car has failed to start and I have had to jump it. Now the stone-cold who-done-it part: I have a GPS tracker plugged into the ODS port. The first time the car wouldn't start, I noticed the port wasn't getting any power and the fuse for it was blown. I figured that was the cause of the drain, but since the fuse was blown, should not happen again. I charged up the battery overnight with a trickle charger, and bam happened again a couple of days later, in cold weather. The inverter is putting out 14V, so I have narrowed it down to two options: 1) The 12V battery I got was bad or not the right size? 2) There is some fantom load draining the 12V. I know it's probably the first one, but how do I check for phantom loads? Was the ODB fuse blowing just a coincidence, or is it signs of bigger problems? Thank y'all!
For excessive phantom draw, start by putting an amp meter in series, between neg post and body, with the car off and closed, fob well away, and having sat about half an hour. See what it reads. Should be around 20 milliamperes, with intermittent spikes to around 40. The latter maybe due to blinking security icon.
Thank you so much. I would not have thought to move the key fobs away, or let it sit for an hour! Any suggestions of likely culprits? Thank you again! Tristan
Light in the trunk area (out of sight, out of mind...) Door or hatch not closed fully or sensing switch failed in the corresponding state. Something plugged into the ODB2. After market alarms or cameras. Key fob left in car.
