Honda Accord is one of the best Japanese made cars in the world. When it comes to quality and efficiency, Honda Cars excel very much. However, Honda Accord battery drain problems continued to increase in time. Honda Accord owners would like to know if these are manufacturing problems or just the battery itself.
How to diagnose Honda Accord battery drain problem? Honda Accord has the same diagnosing techniques with the other cars. You can use the voltage drop technique to diagnose your Honda Accord. Directly check with the voltmeter each fuse, the fuse that registers the drop is the problem.
However, not all battery problems can be rooted out of these things. At times, the owner’s negligence may cause battery drain problems. With Honda Accord, the company has been receiving a lot of complaints against battery drain problems. When it could be a simple battery replacement, but with the number of claims rising, it could be a factory defect which needs a recall.
Simple Parasitic Drain Test
By performing these simple steps to diagnose where the battery drain is coming from, you can quickly locate your problem. Once you know what causes your battery drain, you can resolve the issue right away.
Test Preparations
● You have to remove the ignition keys and accessories before the testing begins.
● Make sure that there is no device connected to the lighter socket before the test.
● Remove the light bulb under the hood, to make sure that it is disconnected.
● For fuse box located under the dashboard of the driver’s side, you need to leave the door open. Use a clamp or anything that will hold the damp light off with the doors opened.
● Try to locate the fuse for the clock, radio, and lights since these will help you know if there is a presence of current while you are doing your tests.
● Performing the amperage battery test requires you to dislodge your battery cables. In case your car needs a code to bring it back for reactivation, make sure that you know the system.
This amperage battery test is best recommended for older models of vehicles. Car models 1990s and below can use this kind of battery test. However, for the latest models, you may opt for the voltage meter drop test.
Now let us proceed to the test itself.
Start the Test
We call this test the Amperage Battery Drain Test. In this kind of analysis, you will test the presence of current in fuse where there should be none. Just remember that the dashboard clock and radio will always have current in them.
Let’s begin the Amperage Battery Drain Test.
1. Disconnect the battery’s negative cable. If this is your first time to do this, it is the black cable with the (-) sign. Connect the ground probe of your digital meter to the negative post.
2. Connect the meter’s positive probe to the negative terminal of the battery’s cable.
3. Turn on your multimeter. Set the scale to the highest DC(direct current) amperage.
4. Check the display. Your meter reading should be zero amps.
5. Turn your meter to a lower scale rating on the amperage. Keep moving the meter to a lesser scale until it detects a current. A typical battery without the parasitic drain will have a reading of 50 milliamps. But, if your battery has a parasitic drain, you will have a reading above this range.
What do the Results Mean?
If the reading is within range — 50milliamps or lower, that means that your battery has no parasitic drain. It could expect that your battery drain problems may come from a weak battery itself or alternator problems.
If the reading is above the normal range — Above 50 milliamps would already mean your battery is suffering from the parasitic drain. Do not remove your voltmeter and you have to proceed to the next steps.
Finding the Faulty Circuits
● Locating the faulty circuits needs a pulling of the fuse. Start by pulling each fuse one at a time. Pull your fuses and watch your meter reading. When the meter reading drops down from the normal limit while removing one of the fuses, the circuit which the fuse protects may be faulty.
● Once you found the faulty circuit, try to read the description for that fuse. You can determine if that fuse goes for the tail light, radiator fan and a lot more.
● Use the car manual for the wiring diagram. This manual will tell you which wires are for a particular switch, plugs, and connections. The wiring could be the possible problem for the parasitic drain.
● Check the switches and the wires. Make sure that there are no loose connections for the electrical wiring. A short circuit may cause these wires to burn off.
The Voltage Drop Battery Drain Test
This kind of technique in battery drain testing is used for the latest car models. Though the Amperage Test is still done today, only the older car models benefit from it.
To perform this Voltage Drop Test, you have to shut off the engine and all computer modules of the vehicle. Some computer modules remain active even after 30 minutes of turning off the car. So, wait until all the modules are shut off before doing the Voltage Drop Test.
Remember to charge your batteries before performing this battery diagnosis fully.
Let’s start the test.
1. Be sure to check your car’s manual on the actual time your computer module shuts off. Some will have 30 minutes while others can take as long as 8 hours for it to shut off. It is essential to know if some modules are on during the test, so you would know that the current is present.
2. Turn on your digital voltmeter and set it to MV (millivolts).
3. Start the test for voltage drop, begin with the dashboard, like radios, lights and so on.
Touch the fuse with one of the lead points of your meter. Watch the readings as you touch it. Fuses which are not supposed to receive current will have a reading of O mv.
If you have detected a voltage drop in one of the fuses, then that could be the cause of your parasitic drain.
What Causes Of Honda Accord Battery Drains
Battery drain problems for every car happen all the time. Honda is just one of the best car manufacturers which are not exempted from having these faulty battery problems.
1. Trunk, hood or a glove box light that was left open overnight even when the engine is turned off.
2. Radios, cellphone chargers, amplifiers, and other car accessories bust the battery electricity easily.
3. Using plenty of electrical devices on like an electrical antenna and seat motors can use up heat that can waste the battery power.
4. Relays and other component found under the hood which is always on even when the engine is shut off can also consume a lot of electricity.
Every little thing that uses up electricity can drain your battery. Honda Accord, in particular, can have the same battery drain problems.
As car owners, you should thoroughly check your car before leaving. Everything should be turned off properly. You are doing this to ensure that you will not be draining your batteries overnight.
What Honda Accord Models Receive Battery Complaints?
Honda Accord has been receiving a lot of complaints from its consumers. Accord owners are complaining about battery drain problems. The battery continues to drain even when they have just bought the unit.
Honda Accord 2004
This particular Honda accord model received complaints about a draining battery. These complaints were received from around the globe. Everyone thought it was a simple battery problem that needs replacement. However, the issues grew higher which is becoming too alarming.
2005 And 2006 Honda Accord
The succeeding models for Accord suffered the same fate. A lot of clients brought back their Accord units in their dealer bearing the same complaints and issues.
2007, 2008 And Higher Models
Even some of the latest models of Honda Accord experienced the same thing. Honda manufacturers have conducted a thorough study of this particular car model. The numerous complaints about the performance of the battery are quite alarming.
Upon the study, they found out that most of the Honda Cars Accord are experiencing parasitic problems. It is not a battery problem in particular but something that has come up during the manufacturing of the car. It happened with Honda CRV too, when most car owners have the complaints of battery drain even when they have just bought the car.
The computer mechanism of Honda Cars could be the culprit for these recurring issues. With what happened to Honda CRVs and now to Honda Accord models, the car manufacturers claimed that it is a software issue. To eliminate the problem, you have to bring your cars to the designated dealers for software update and calibration.
Can Honda Accord Resolve This Battery Drain Problem?
All car batteries are susceptible to have drain problems. Honda Accord battery drain problem is not only a simple parasitic problem. The number of complainants reveals that there is something wrong with the manufacturing of the car itself.
