mouselad Posted May 5, 2014 Member ID: 20902 Group: **- Inactive Registered Users Followers: 11 Topic Count: 136 Topics Per Day: 0.04 Content Count: 1279 Content Per Day: 0.34 Reputation: 819 Achievement Points: 9614 Solved Content: 0 Days Won: 0 Joined: 02/16/14 Status: Offline Last Seen: January 15, 2016 Birthday: 12/02/1982 Share Posted May 5, 2014 My Element keeps draining batteries in about a month. I've checked the alternator and its good. I'm pretty sure its a short causing it, but I have no idea how to even begin checking that. or if anyone has any other ideas? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Flush Posted May 5, 2014 Member ID: 1106 Group: **- Inactive Registered Users Followers: 33 Topic Count: 125 Topics Per Day: 0.02 Content Count: 832 Content Per Day: 0.16 Reputation: 538 Achievement Points: 6778 Solved Content: 0 Days Won: 0 Joined: 02/08/10 Status: Offline Last Seen: August 15, 2015 Birthday: 06/24/1975 Share Posted May 5, 2014 If the alternator is good (recharging the battery as it is supposed to) and you've gotten a new battery (that doesn't have any bad cells), I'd start moving towards doing volt testing to see what else is drawing from the battery when the vehicle is off. To double check, make sure to test the battery while the car is running which will tell you that the alternator is doing it's job too. Then test the battery while the car is not running. Should tell you that both are OK right away with the difference. If those are fine, chances are that it's a wiring issue and something is still pulling voltage while the vehicle is off. Sounds dumb but have you made sure that your dome light isn't on all of the time? Once you clear that off the list, it unfortunately becomes a lot more difficult as you will need to start voltage testing everything. I feel for you, not an easy thing to find! Might be worth taking to a shop that can hook it up to the computer...I think a 2004 would still have a pc module wouldn't it? Good luck! Flushy mouselad 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mouselad Posted May 5, 2014 Member ID: 20902 Group: **- Inactive Registered Users Followers: 11 Topic Count: 136 Topics Per Day: 0.04 Content Count: 1279 Content Per Day: 0.34 Reputation: 819 Achievement Points: 9614 Solved Content: 0 Days Won: 0 Joined: 02/16/14 Status: Offline Last Seen: January 15, 2016 Birthday: 12/02/1982 Author Share Posted May 5, 2014 If the alternator is good (recharging the battery as it is supposed to) and you've gotten a new battery (that doesn't have any bad cells), I'd start moving towards doing volt testing to see what else is drawing from the battery when the vehicle is off. To double check, make sure to test the battery while the car is running which will tell you that the alternator is doing it's job too. Then test the battery while the car is not running. Should tell you that both are OK right away with the difference. If those are fine, chances are that it's a wiring issue and something is still pulling voltage while the vehicle is off. Sounds dumb but have you made sure that your dome light isn't on all of the time? Once you clear that off the list, it unfortunately becomes a lot more difficult as you will need to start voltage testing everything. I feel for you, not an easy thing to find! Might be worth taking to a shop that can hook it up to the computer...I think a 2004 would still have a pc module wouldn't it? Good luck! Flushy Yea I have tested the battery and alternator mutliple times, both on and off. I think you are right. I'm pretty sure it is a wire causing a short. I noticed some damage to the wiring harness on the battery. The sheathing was missing and someone just put electrical tape over it. I bet there is further damage. It does has a PC module, which told me the heater was malfunctioning. I wonder if that may have something to do with the electrical issues also. Do you know if I can test with a regular multimeter? The Flush 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KaptCrunch Posted May 6, 2014 Member ID: 389 Group: *** Clan Members Followers: 45 Topic Count: 295 Topics Per Day: 0.06 Content Count: 4459 Content Per Day: 0.84 Reputation: 3617 Achievement Points: 36442 Solved Content: 0 Days Won: 39 Joined: 09/14/09 Status: Offline Last Seen: 1 hour ago Birthday: 01/01/1970 Device: Windows Share Posted May 6, 2014 what year ? with car off remove neg cable place multi-meter between bat and cable with meter on low DC volt scale , max should 5 mV draw if more , start unplugging things off the harness till you get below 5mV then follow back to each device my hunch is the body module The Flush, loaderXI and mouselad 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options... Awards
Bullet Posted May 6, 2014 Member ID: 1854 Group: *** Clan Members Followers: 12 Topic Count: 23 Topics Per Day: 0.00 Content Count: 344 Content Per Day: 0.07 Reputation: 370 Achievement Points: 2652 Solved Content: 0 Days Won: 0 Joined: 09/30/10 Status: Offline Last Seen: March 30 Birthday: 03/24/1964 Device: Windows Share Posted May 6, 2014 what year ? with car off remove neg cable place multi-meter between bat and cable with meter on low DC volt scale , max should 5 mV draw if more , start unplugging things off the harness till you get below 5mV then follow back to each device my hunch is the body module Kapt, i think you mean DC mA, not volts. Make sure you have your test leads in the correct inputs. Usually A is a different input from V. That was going to be my suggestion too. Start pulling fuses until you see the current drop. One other thing. Not sure how you tested the alternator, but i had an alternator that charged the battery fine but was actually the problem. I might have had a bad rectifier diode or who knows what, but when replaced the battery stopped draining. The Flush and mouselad 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options... Awards
mouselad Posted May 6, 2014 Member ID: 20902 Group: **- Inactive Registered Users Followers: 11 Topic Count: 136 Topics Per Day: 0.04 Content Count: 1279 Content Per Day: 0.34 Reputation: 819 Achievement Points: 9614 Solved Content: 0 Days Won: 0 Joined: 02/16/14 Status: Offline Last Seen: January 15, 2016 Birthday: 12/02/1982 Author Share Posted May 6, 2014 Kapt, i think you mean DC mA, not volts. Make sure you have your test leads in the correct inputs. Usually A is a different input from V. That was going to be my suggestion too. Start pulling fuses until you see the current drop. One other thing. Not sure how you tested the alternator, but i had an alternator that charged the battery fine but was actually the problem. I might have had a bad rectifier diode or who knows what, but when replaced the battery stopped draining. I tested it the ghetto way by starting the car, disconnected the battery and the car stayed on.... also took it to autozone and they tested it with their machine. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KaptCrunch Posted May 8, 2014 Member ID: 389 Group: *** Clan Members Followers: 45 Topic Count: 295 Topics Per Day: 0.06 Content Count: 4459 Content Per Day: 0.84 Reputation: 3617 Achievement Points: 36442 Solved Content: 0 Days Won: 39 Joined: 09/14/09 Status: Offline Last Seen: 1 hour ago Birthday: 01/01/1970 Device: Windows Share Posted May 8, 2014 with car off ALT remove the battery feeder line (usally the 10 gauage wire at rear) place meter between connection and check draw volts setting for if use amperes most meters won't read that low millivolt is the way to go Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options... Awards
2_MANY_BEERS Posted May 8, 2014 Member ID: 96 Group: ** Registered Users Followers: 107 Topic Count: 1048 Topics Per Day: 0.20 Content Count: 8802 Content Per Day: 1.65 Reputation: 3290 Achievement Points: 62118 Solved Content: 0 Days Won: 5 Joined: 09/02/09 Status: Offline Last Seen: Tuesday at 09:20 PM Birthday: 06/30/1954 Device: Windows Share Posted May 8, 2014 You can use a voltmeter or do it by pulling the cable on battery and looking for a spark (ghetto way). This way you can work on it at night time also. Start by pulling fuse for the heater like your car said. LOL Look at spark again. If it got less of a spark then that is probably it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
7Toes Posted May 8, 2014 Member ID: 87 Group: ***- Inactive Clan Members Followers: 57 Topic Count: 98 Topics Per Day: 0.02 Content Count: 3789 Content Per Day: 0.71 Reputation: 3589 Achievement Points: 27249 Solved Content: 0 Days Won: 7 Joined: 09/02/09 Status: Offline Last Seen: March 18, 2022 Birthday: 04/02/1871 Share Posted May 8, 2014 so you drive the car a lot even if you have a short the battery should stay charged are you letting the car sit then in 30 days the battery is dead,if your driving the car you alternator might be over charging the battery killing it so that would be your voltage regulator little_old_man 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options... Awards
Damage_inc- Posted May 8, 2014 Member ID: 2048 Group: ***- Inactive Clan Members Followers: 0 Topic Count: 294 Topics Per Day: 0.06 Content Count: 6689 Content Per Day: 1.37 Reputation: 4709 Achievement Points: 48999 Solved Content: 0 Days Won: 5 Joined: 12/15/10 Status: Offline Last Seen: November 29, 2023 Birthday: 05/30/1967 Device: Windows Share Posted May 8, 2014 its milli amps / Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options... Awards
ColdSore Posted May 8, 2014 Member ID: 3763 Group: ** Registered Users Followers: 7 Topic Count: 8 Topics Per Day: 0.00 Content Count: 82 Content Per Day: 0.02 Reputation: 83 Achievement Points: 672 Solved Content: 0 Days Won: 0 Joined: 10/01/12 Status: Offline Last Seen: 21 hours ago Device: Windows Share Posted May 8, 2014 Now this is a coincidence...my 06 Element has the same issue. Have had everything tested by 3 different garages and all said no issue with alternator or anything draining it while truck was off. I live very close to work and play so I only drive 15 miles, or less, a week. Figured I just wasn't driving enough to keep it charged. Just did a 2000 mile road trip so I will see how long it holds up. Do you put some mileage on the Element between dead batteries? My neighbor had a friend with a similar problem and his solution was a cheap trickle charger. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KaptCrunch Posted May 8, 2014 Member ID: 389 Group: *** Clan Members Followers: 45 Topic Count: 295 Topics Per Day: 0.06 Content Count: 4459 Content Per Day: 0.84 Reputation: 3617 Achievement Points: 36442 Solved Content: 0 Days Won: 39 Joined: 09/14/09 Status: Offline Last Seen: 1 hour ago Birthday: 01/01/1970 Device: Windows Share Posted May 8, 2014 another question does car have aftermarket alarm installed ? seen some of them become power drainers Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options... Awards
KaptCrunch Posted May 8, 2014 Member ID: 389 Group: *** Clan Members Followers: 45 Topic Count: 295 Topics Per Day: 0.06 Content Count: 4459 Content Per Day: 0.84 Reputation: 3617 Achievement Points: 36442 Solved Content: 0 Days Won: 39 Joined: 09/14/09 Status: Offline Last Seen: 1 hour ago Birthday: 01/01/1970 Device: Windows Share Posted May 8, 2014 http://wemakeitsafer.com/vehicle=recall/Honga-Element-Recall-4411893-2006#RecalledProductInformation read tranny short Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options... Awards
6FtUnder Posted May 9, 2014 Member ID: 830 Group: ***- Inactive Clan Members Followers: 3 Topic Count: 27 Topics Per Day: 0.01 Content Count: 96 Content Per Day: 0.02 Reputation: 31 Achievement Points: 792 Solved Content: 0 Days Won: 0 Joined: 12/04/09 Status: Offline Last Seen: December 23, 2021 Birthday: 01/07/1969 Share Posted May 9, 2014 (edited) Ok so like they told you put a volt /ohm meter on 10 amp Put the leads on the neg terminal and the battery post make sure everything is off because if you pull more than 10 amps you will blow your fuse now with the door shut you should have between .01 ans .05 mil amps if higher than that start pulling fuses and watching till it drops. I found a guys a/c relay was sticking on his Honda Ridgeline When we pulled the relay amp draw went away so we replaced his relay and all is good. Edited May 9, 2014 by 6FtUnder Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
6FtUnder Posted May 9, 2014 Member ID: 830 Group: ***- Inactive Clan Members Followers: 3 Topic Count: 27 Topics Per Day: 0.01 Content Count: 96 Content Per Day: 0.02 Reputation: 31 Achievement Points: 792 Solved Content: 0 Days Won: 0 Joined: 12/04/09 Status: Offline Last Seen: December 23, 2021 Birthday: 01/07/1969 Share Posted May 9, 2014 (edited) Oh and you should not remove battery lead while vehicle is running it may damage the alternator or worse the ecm. Edited May 9, 2014 by 6FtUnder loaderXI 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RogueKill Posted May 12, 2014 Member ID: 1588 Group: ***- Inactive Clan Members Followers: 7 Topic Count: 84 Topics Per Day: 0.02 Content Count: 904 Content Per Day: 0.18 Reputation: 139 Achievement Points: 5532 Solved Content: 0 Days Won: 3 Joined: 07/19/10 Status: Offline Last Seen: January 1, 2023 Birthday: 08/25/1966 Share Posted May 12, 2014 Pull the Air Cond. relay and see if it quits draining the battery. The Honda element had an issue with the a/c compressor clutch relay sticking on and draining batt.-------2-4 amp draw. Goodluck Damage_inc- 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options... Awards
KaptCrunch Posted May 12, 2014 Member ID: 389 Group: *** Clan Members Followers: 45 Topic Count: 295 Topics Per Day: 0.06 Content Count: 4459 Content Per Day: 0.84 Reputation: 3617 Achievement Points: 36442 Solved Content: 0 Days Won: 39 Joined: 09/14/09 Status: Offline Last Seen: 1 hour ago Birthday: 01/01/1970 Device: Windows Share Posted May 12, 2014 report back on a/c relay rougeKill Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options... Awards
RogueKill Posted May 23, 2014 Member ID: 1588 Group: ***- Inactive Clan Members Followers: 7 Topic Count: 84 Topics Per Day: 0.02 Content Count: 904 Content Per Day: 0.18 Reputation: 139 Achievement Points: 5532 Solved Content: 0 Days Won: 3 Joined: 07/19/10 Status: Offline Last Seen: January 1, 2023 Birthday: 08/25/1966 Share Posted May 23, 2014 report back on a/c relay rouge watcha mean? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options... Awards
loaderXI Posted May 23, 2014 Member ID: 252 Group: +++ COD2 Head Admin Followers: 71 Topic Count: 392 Topics Per Day: 0.07 Content Count: 6417 Content Per Day: 1.20 Reputation: 6494 Achievement Points: 54337 Solved Content: 0 Days Won: 30 Joined: 09/05/09 Status: Offline Last Seen: Tuesday at 01:37 PM Birthday: 03/22/1965 Device: Windows Share Posted May 23, 2014 (edited) Simple way to check Ghetto way for a short is to disconnect the negative cable and connect a circuit tester one end on battery and one end one cable if it lights you have a positive current running down the negative side (short) from there you can pull fuses one at a time til the light goes out ....as you pull put them back until it goes out once you find what fuse the short is on you can go from there circuit tester is connected negative to negative as described above Edited May 23, 2014 by loaderXI Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options... Awards
CobraBites Posted May 23, 2014 Member ID: 2313 Group: Fallen Members Followers: 0 Topic Count: 330 Topics Per Day: 0.07 Content Count: 4924 Content Per Day: 1.03 Reputation: 3034 Achievement Points: 33897 Solved Content: 0 Days Won: 4 Joined: 03/19/11 Status: Offline Last Seen: August 2, 2017 Birthday: 05/26/1974 Share Posted May 23, 2014 Simple way to check Ghetto way for a short is to disconnect the negative cable and connect a circuit tester one end on battery and one end one cable if it lights you have a positive current running down the negative side (short) from there you can pull fuses one at a time til the light goes out ....as you pull put them back until it goes out once you find what fuse the short is on you can go from there circuit tester is connected negative to negative as described above just take it to auto parts store like autozone or o reileys they have testers for that....its the best way to find out Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CobraBites Posted May 23, 2014 Member ID: 2313 Group: Fallen Members Followers: 0 Topic Count: 330 Topics Per Day: 0.07 Content Count: 4924 Content Per Day: 1.03 Reputation: 3034 Achievement Points: 33897 Solved Content: 0 Days Won: 4 Joined: 03/19/11 Status: Offline Last Seen: August 2, 2017 Birthday: 05/26/1974 Share Posted May 23, 2014 My Element keeps draining batteries in about a month. I've checked the alternator and its good. I'm pretty sure its a short causing it, but I have no idea how to even begin checking that. or if anyone has any other ideas? my guess as i have had tons of experiencing this many many times with cars is more than likely ur starter is goin bad... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rookido Posted August 3, 2014 Member ID: 5785 Group: ***- Inactive Clan Members Followers: 7 Topic Count: 8 Topics Per Day: 0.00 Content Count: 172 Content Per Day: 0.04 Reputation: 74 Achievement Points: 1098 Solved Content: 0 Days Won: 0 Joined: 02/27/13 Status: Offline Last Seen: February 19 Birthday: 01/01/1970 Device: Windows Share Posted August 3, 2014 I found and bought a new testing device for the battery/system/charger test called "Solar BA7" on amazon. it's pretty simple to use and take out all the guess works. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options... Awards
6FtUnder Posted November 4, 2014 Member ID: 830 Group: ***- Inactive Clan Members Followers: 3 Topic Count: 27 Topics Per Day: 0.01 Content Count: 96 Content Per Day: 0.02 Reputation: 31 Achievement Points: 792 Solved Content: 0 Days Won: 0 Joined: 12/04/09 Status: Offline Last Seen: December 23, 2021 Birthday: 01/07/1969 Share Posted November 4, 2014 Did you ever find the problem Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KaptCrunch Posted November 4, 2014 Member ID: 389 Group: *** Clan Members Followers: 45 Topic Count: 295 Topics Per Day: 0.06 Content Count: 4459 Content Per Day: 0.84 Reputation: 3617 Achievement Points: 36442 Solved Content: 0 Days Won: 39 Joined: 09/14/09 Status: Offline Last Seen: 1 hour ago Birthday: 01/01/1970 Device: Windows Share Posted November 4, 2014 Rookido better off with a multi-meter 12.6 vdc is fully charged when car is off , running 13-17vdc means its charging I'm pretty sure that won't check load 1200cca on 16ga wire great tool if not know how to use a multi-meter Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options... Awards
Damage_inc- Posted November 5, 2014 Member ID: 2048 Group: ***- Inactive Clan Members Followers: 0 Topic Count: 294 Topics Per Day: 0.06 Content Count: 6689 Content Per Day: 1.37 Reputation: 4709 Achievement Points: 48999 Solved Content: 0 Days Won: 5 Joined: 12/15/10 Status: Offline Last Seen: November 29, 2023 Birthday: 05/30/1967 Device: Windows Share Posted November 5, 2014 test for a draw on the battery with volt meter ,most should be under 30milli amps.connect a meter between your cable and the battery post.watch it for about 20 minutes to see where it lowers to.its well over 30ma then start pulling fuses one by one carefully till the draw comes down in range.the fuse that lowers it significantly is the circuit you have a problem with,at this point you need a schematic of that circuit to find out what parts to start unpluging to fing the bad component/module or shorted wires-is something electrical not recently working? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options... Awards
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