Most Common Battery Drain Causes And Fix For All Cars !!!! 

My son owns a 206 BMW 330XI have only 55k miles, yesterday he call me to tell me the cars battery died over night and asked if can i go to the auto pars get a battery for him ?, i tall him to connect the booster to the battery and come over , he is only 20 minutes away from me by the time he come over i when on the You Tube and first thing i ran onto this video , i am glad i did , it saved me time, Money, back age , i went straight to the ac/heater module i disconnect it and noticed the short have disappeared , this video was worth to me a lot. I REALLY THANK YOU .

Had this problem on a 2000 Astro Van. Discovered it was the HVAC sensor drawing power thanks to this video. Saved me a ton of time and headaches, thanks for sharing!

I've left 3 comments on differ videos to help people out of my predicament. Have Honda crv 2009, New battery caused alarm to go off soon as energized. I only had vallet key no faub with alarm on/off buttons. Tried everything, looking for reset button or module but the fix was to shut all the doors, hook up battery, alarm goes off, insert key into driver door turn until alarm shuts off. Worked like a charm after months of searching and car sitting. Hope this helps you

It was my HVAC resistor. Never would've thought of that and you saved me hours of trouble shooting.

It was really cold this morning so I finally used my heater. For some reason the blower stayed on when I parked my car. I turned the car back on and made sure all of the gauges were off. I left my 330I BMW for 3 hours. The battery was drained.. Some really nice people actually helped me connecting the battery in my trunk with jumper cables. They stayed there for a half hour. They even reved their vehicle.. I kept asking if they could just connect to the front. Another person came home and said you need to connect the cables in the front. My goodness it worked right away. I'm so thankful for everyone that tried to help and the person that knew a little more about jumping a 2003 BMW.

Thanks for taking the time out of your day to help us out and teach us. I greatly appreciate your videoa!

Good useful video Nathan. Thanks for sharing!

Thanks so much for your Vid….the only one Not explaining how to use a Multi Meter and pull Fuses….you made it possible for me to correct some Issues with parasitic draw and get my AC blower working better….changed the Resistor unit…that cut out more than half the loss of charge in 20 hours….pulled the Radio Fuse and amplifier fuse….and that seems to have cut out the other 15% loss in 20 hours…..never use the Radio anyway…and the code seems to have gone away….I did a big 4 upgrade on power and grounds with 2 gauge cable..so far so good…I think the Transmission Shop killed the original battery in the 3 weeks my Suburban was move around their Lot….Walmart replaced it…I was Lucky…I bought the Tester you show…and it is priceless….I cannot afford to use Pro Mechanics…so have been doing my own Work…you made it simple ….and your on the Money….going to replace the Starter later and clean the connections…I put in a new Alternator as I thought it may have been damaged by the idiots that did my Transmission…seems normal to have a bad battery and alternator after they touch your Truck….they over tightened my Transfer Case Plugs…hope I can get Two years out of the Rebuild…many parts of America going to the Dogs…these days…few places you can Trust….thanks for the help.

The blower resistor part replacement fixed my 98 bmw m roadster perfectly from the battery drain. Took about 4hrs to do. not too hard just takes time. Pelican Parts on you tube has a very good demo of how to take the part out. Note take off the windshield wiper assembly. it is not hard and makes it alot easer to get to the blower resistor.

Best and most informative video yet, helped me out with an issue with my Cayman 981 even the auto electrician couldn't find the fault. Fan resister was the issue. Thanks !!!

Hi Nathan, 3 out of 4 comfort access doors work fine on 2009 535i, except on my driver side it does not. It can lock and unlock with a keyfob. What parts should I change to get it working again? Thanks.

Good information Nathan 👍I replaced my battery about a year ago in my X3

Good video Nathan, it's been a few years since I have been on RU-vid and watched your video's, looks like you finished your shop. Merry Christmas to you and your family and everyone.

I am so going to look into the blower resistor thing. I have an "unfindable" battery draw that's been driving me nuts for over three years. This makes a lot of sense paired up with some of the clues I've been getting. This is the only mention I've ever heard of such a thing. I am so glad I happened across your video. Even if it turns out not to be the problem, it gives me a new direction. Thanks bro !

hey nathan I also have problems with my car the car dies after 2 days in the garage I have also changed the little thing for heat that you showed on video, it may be that it draws power because I get no heat sometimes in the car it does not work as it should

Okay , good to know information , I am having battery drain problems. I also have a intermittent trunk switch acting /off , but I will figure it out

I’m kind of a new b on BMW ‘s been messing with my 335i for about a year second one I’ve owned, I’m a half ass mechanic but I’m learning I make sure I do regular maintenance got a slight oil pan leak at 99000 miles think I’ll go for it turbo’s not rattling yet good videos Nate

So I also wanted to say, my brothers *2015 BMW 328* had a new battery put in. The new battery needed to be registered with the car so that the car knew it was a new battery. The reason this was an issue is because the car treats the battery to what it believes its age and condition is. So it treats older batteries with a more aggressive charge and drain. If you install a newer battery without doing this, it causes a lot of issues because the newer battery can become prematurely damaged by this, and I mean within weeks, not months. Just a little FYI on how the BMW *ActiveHybrid 3* system works in this particular case.

I have got a problem on my 1989 Toyota Cressida, I performed the test as per the procedure and removed fuses one by one but the reading on my multimeter did not drop as it stayed on 12.45 ma. When I checked on the positive terminal of the battery I found that the thick white and red stripe wiring was connected directly to the positive battery terminal. I removed it and the voltage dropped to 0.03 ma.My problem is that I am wondering where must this wiring be connected then.

Your scanner was probably telling you to replace the car, not the battery! Lol

I got a code for the electric final stage many years ago but never had any problems with the air working so I never replaced it. After watching this I just ordered it from FCP. 1998 540i 187,000 miles. My alarm goes off when I unlock the car with the remote. I read that could be caused by something slowly draining the car battery. Is that possible? Tested battery, it is at 85%, only 2 years old. Any ideas why the alarm will go off when using the remote to unlock. If I lock and unlock again quickly after the alarm starts, it will go off. Thanks.

I have a 2004 Buick lesabre. The AC works when it wants to cuts on & off periodically I suspect the resistor is going out, I'm wondering if the resistor is also causing my battery drain 🤔

Those testers are good however I will not condemn a battery without giving it a properly done charge first. I have a battery that said replace five years ago. However on BMWs the electronics require a good battery so

I bought one of those battery testers and every battery I checked with it the tester said needed to be replaced. Even brand new batteries that were fully charged and working fine in the vehicle. I took it back and got a replacement and the second one did the same thing. If anyone can attest to a battery tester that actually works please share with this forum. Thanks.

Mr Nathan, Hope you can point me in some direction here. When my e39 reaches normal operating temp, it goes into Limp Mode, (3rd gear), I stop wait 15 minutes, and the cycle is repeated. I have tried everything I could, to fix this. It’s a 2002 525 with 134k don’t want to try the dealer.

Always great video thanks Nate 👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻

good job thanks!

Hi, I just got. 82 320i and it won’t hold charge. I’ve change batteries numerous times, brand new altimeter and even change the connecting wires to the batteries. I can’t find anything useful on the internet to help me. Any input would be appreciated! I’ll also tried to find the “final stage resistor” after watching the vid the first time and can’t find anything on google for this car. I find the new bmws piping up.

Cool channel 🔧 FYI: BMW doesn't charge batt unless 80km or faster (they call it efficiency, except if you like your music LOUD;)

Hey I have 528i I have replaced both battery and IBS sensor within the past 10 days however hours after driving the water pump is still running and followed by the alarm any help on this I have been getting notification for car being hot as well and recently had coolant pump hoses changed?

hey nathan i have a 1993 525i, it cranks but won’t start, i’ve put in new spark plugs, changed the fuel pump and fuel pump relay, new cps, idk what else to do

just need to know that i bought a new battery 10 days ago and left my car sleeping for 2 days ... later on when i switch it on the battery had gone dead. Can i restore the battery to its good conditions since it is new one or what?

My e38 alarm system will drain the battery if the car is left unlocked for a few weeks. It will also drain the battery if a car cover is fitted as the motion sensor tells the car to wake up. My rule is always lock a modern car even if it's inside.

e34 sedan trunk wire bundle up underneath near the lift piston problems and lock problems and trunk latch doesn't turn off the trunk lights but latches.

Oh I wana help too. Hondas have a Hard DTC that sets whenever a battery is low or the PCM detects a low cranking voltage. So even once you recharge the battery and everything starts just fine that trouble code will store until its fully erased. P0061 or something along those lines.

My 525i e60 always makes a buzzing sound under the hood so I took off the disa and everything and it's the idle control valve. I guess the factory programmed the icv to buzz every 5 minuites for 5 minuites till the battery is dead. So I installed a 12 volt quick disconnect switch no more dead battery.

Does the stage resistor go by another name or something? Or is it only a Beamer part? Tried googling it for my Infiniti but blower resistor was all the search results were showing

Been a long time Wife made my sell my 1997 BMW 318ti. You helped me but jeep never got well.

What is it called again that's draining my battery I have a 2007 Dodge charger just put in a new battery 2 months ago and it keeps dying what do I look for All stock

I've also had trouble starting it after I've been driving, usually if I've been charging my phone.

Oh, very nice. I see an 1602 or 2002. Like that because my first car was a '73 1602.

I have an Astro Van 2004 AWD. The battery started going dead over night, I checked a few things, then it was going dead about every 3, 4 days, again checked a few more things, wow, all was good for a few weeks and bang, everynight, If I jumped it, it would start right up, I turn it off and it would start right up again, we're talking within a minute of being jumped. I drove me nuts for 3, 4, 5 months. Well, one day I was watching the dash as I turned it off, I noticed a little jumpping/flashing of the lights on the panel. when I play with key. It was a bad ingnition switch. It have been well over a year and still starts up.

Hello Nathan. I have a problem with my e39 2002. The steering wheel feel loose ant spins slightly to the right side by itself when slowly driving. Have you encountered this problem? Is it steering column problem or front chasis? how can i know if its chasis or something else?

Bro I have a dodge nitro. The battery dies a day later. When I turn the ignition to on position it sounds like the ac blower is on even if the nobs are on the of position and when I start the car I dont hear it anymore. Is that what u mean by the hvac problem?

Any sub $200 BMW scanner tools that can register a battery and change agm to lead or change the amperage?

I have a 2007 hummer h2 and a 1986 corvette they are losing battery draining can you help me out to fix the problem please thank you

I have a battery drain on my x5 02 turns out by taking the radio fuse 72 and 73 out when not in daily used has fixed it. Im about to send my abs module got all lights up saying bk left wheel sensor i replaced the sensor first but i get error trying to talk to abs and i use the c310+ its all good fun u helped me loads nathan :) thank you!

I have not seen on the net, advice about cleaning off the top of the battery case. I have seen many battery cases covered in dirty oil and carbon, which would trickle drain the current away. So, dry paper towels, wipe off the top, including areas between the fill caps, being careful to avoid getting dirt inside. Finish by replacing caps and wiping with towel dampened with baking soda, to resist corrosion. Top of battery should be dry and clean when you are done. If battery uses distilled water top up cells till plates inside are just covered, as last step.

Thank you

Im having issues with 2006 chevy impala will not stay charged i tried everything i still do now know what it is.

I put a new battery on my 3 series and it drained overnight. What could be the cause?

One might seem counter intuitive as a blown interior light left on can drain the battery in 15 to 30 minutes after a jump start... I just happened to look up and notice mine was on after finding nothing else. Kinda odd that charging my phone for hours doesn't drain the battery tho.

Hi Nathan. I have a 2006 Ford Focus with battery drain--presumably from a theft light that blinks slowly and I do not know how to reset it. Any suggestions? I've tried the key in the lock reset method and it didn't work.

I have 93 madza pickup b2200 while I'm driving at night using my light is starts to go dem till they go off an drain my battery but the trucks stays running till I get home an try restart then won't crank

watch your channel and very interesting and you know your stuff... I am chasing battery drain of ..155ma at battery and tracing back to AUX fan signal wire (thin wire) and it reads 0.177v live with car asleep .so thinking would the FSR be in any way connected to AUX fan ...the battery drain averages about .2v per hour drain ...I think the FSR was replaced a few years ago but being in Thailand you never know what they do....just pull out a part from a box and say this was replaced

Interesting stuff 🙂👍👍👍👍👍 Thanks for sharing.

E46 325i here, last week driving home my car started to lock down and light on dash showed up. Had jumped it and died again, so I bought a new battery and checked the voltage and wasn’t going up so I’m thinking it’s the alternator but my friend mentioned to check the fuse or my belt might not have the right tension. I haven’t inspected further but any suggestions?

So would it be easier to go old school and just start pulling fuses to see if there is a load spark on any of the circuits?

Grease and oil will also cause currents to short elsewhere in engine compartment, look around for that.

My 2001 VW jetta, i amp tested it and it came out saying no problems with battery or anything, if i leave the battery out of the car on a shelf it doesn’t go dead, if i put it in and drive it every day it is fine, but if i put it in and let it sit for a day or two it goes dead even though it said no drainage, any ideas?

Brand new battery and alternator 6 months ago. Went to get oil change, said battery needs replacing. Same thing before I bought the first battery. Same thing. No idea 🤷‍♂️

You are the best

Is there anything I can do with my E90 325d when leaving it stood at my work for 7 months? No trickle charger available, can I disable the alarm or put it in a winter/dealer mode so it doesn't drain the battery?

on a 06 scion tc would that be the blower motor?

My Belva amp is drawing A LITTLE power when key is off, THE REMOTE WIRE From Pioneer Stereo IS CONNECTED RIGHT. When the key is off, the little green light on the amp and the remote bass control knob both shut down. I got 3 cars with amp/sub kits I installed, I seen one site that said that drain is common with some low budget crap. It's not sucking major juice, just a little when it should not be using any power at all when it's shut down.

HBC unit final stage final stage resistor in a 2005 2006 BMW 325 where is it located?

I have a 2004 Porsche Cayenne car starts right up perfect drive to the store shut off car try to start car nothing wait three hours car starts can you tell me what the problem is thanks

I just had my battery replaced last week and I'm still getting the "low battery replace soon on the dash of my 2014 Ford Fusion.

I usually end up replacing my batteries every two years. I’m hard on batteries because I constantly have things charging or using power like driving cam, two phones, etc. Next thing beyond that I have found that some aftermarket radios will draw the battery down. Mostly after they get some age on them. Good video Nathan.

my car alarm keeps going off when i try to start my car.......i think the computer needs resetting because that was my last problem,a dead battery and its acting like this one isnt a new battery!!! But I cant find the way to reset the computer yet......it just keeps making the security alarm go off preventing me from starting the car!!!!

I sense a big video coming!

I have a 1986 corvett the battery go deed about 30 minutes please help me and I have a hummer h2 it’s the same after A while I put a new battery in it

Bought a battery at Walmart more than a year ago ...it isn't that old but those stay at the shelves for long time and it can cause the battery doesn't work that well in a short period of time ... I jump start my car ..drive it for some time but when I shut it down it won't start again...bad battery ? Alternator??

I literally replaced my battery minutes before you posted this video lol. No drain just a bulging battery that hasn’t been replaced since 2012 finally died.

My Honda's Accord module doesn't stay asleep either. This has caused a huge headache for me.

Alternator or voltage regulator or IBS should be mentioned here. Just sayin'

What kind of tester is shown?

I have a 2005 bmw x3 3.0 and battery keeps draining. I don't know where to find that in my car. I am not familiar with fixing cars

Where would that part be on a 740il e38

When I used to walk into a Bmw dealership there was always 1 or 3 cars on battery charges. These cars were brand new. They do drain so use Um and abuse Um ,THEY LOVE IT

will ambient air temp sensor cause AC not working issues? 03 530i

New battery, all my fuses, my alternator is still good. No idea at this point **update** check radiator/ac module on german builds, sometimes they go bad and "stay awake" while car is off, super easy $20 part 2 bolts (on my car) seems to solved my problem

I drive mine everyday so I don’t really wanna fix my battery drain

Can your door not closing properly drain your battery

I have an issue with my 2008 E60. The stereo light, push to start button, the shifter lights and the over head lights stay on after locking the car. They won't go off at all. That's making my battery drain. I don't know how to fix that. I want to know if you could help me with that. I replaced the battery and the alternator it's good. So.. I have no clue.

My battery has 12 volts, it's new. When I hook up the cables, the volts drop to a little over 9. Car won't start, starter doesn't even click. The dash lights flicker also. Could this be the fsr?

Nice informative video, but unless the car is a 1968 SS Hemi Dart, I'd rather see you demonstrate this diagnosis on a battery under the hood.

my e61 3.0d battery been draining because of Webasto. Had to disconnect it.

I got a c320 the battery died multiple times n I got it checked out at pepboys and they said it was a mass airflow then that wasn’t it and I seen that the last person that I just bought it from had a aftermarket charging port and it has fresh shaving so I’m guessing they didn’t wire it right so that’s probably why it’s dead all the time ima take it out tonight 😂😂😂

My car new battery and good alternator. Have a apple car play in it and checked it all out and seems to be perfect but still is draining power. I just started disconnecting the terminals now.

Is there anyway to turn off drl without a fancy scan tool?

BMW E39 batteries from the factory are 850CCA. Your battery was 730. Bad battery. Also, when you replace the battery you have to reset the battery program in the ECM or it will just think you put the same compromised battery back in and adjust the charging accordingly. BMW owners please remember to reset this when replacing batteries.

I just got a 2015 bmw 428xi gran coupe and got the battery discharged and start engine and I’m concerned it’ll need a new battery. Should it be a concern to return the car or a fix I should be ok with it and continue to maintain car ? Not a car person sorry

I apparently had a parasitic drain. After some repairs in my garage I noticed the battery seemed to be weak in the morning. Charging OK, battery checked out so what is the problem? I had been leaving the hood up in the garage because of the work. That apparently sent a signal and that drain was enough to drain the battery.

I changed my fan and temp sensor now my 2006 M5 fan runs after turning off for short time? This isn't normal.

3:10 😂🤣

My battery was fine for a while but It died once because I left the headlights on now it dies when I let it sit for a few hours

For some reason I'm feeling like you're wanting to change your mind on how much you actually like that tool after it gave you some bad news on a brand new battery LOL

it also shows that luggage is open when the car is on when I drive

For 3 bimmers yes after a while driving with full light package on, wipers, defrost, iPod music, hvac fan on high, Defog, fog lights, etc. The battery seems to not be fully charge esp if left parked for a few days. My smart charger reconditions the battery by charging it at various current levels all day - it's worth the wait, battery is like new again and stays strong for months