Second Dead Battery in 2 months?

[MikeHTally]

I stand corrected: I just checked mine. If it' "on" and the hatch is open, it's on. When I close the hatch, it turns off. I don't see any proximity switches, so I wonder if it's tied into the latch mechanism.

 

[oaklandopen]

you could check the vanity mirrors too, make sure they go off when closed. a problem with lights staying on might best be discovered when it's night time and you can take a look in the car with very low light.

 

[Super Unique]

These are all good reasons to switch to LED lighting on the interior.

 

[zilch321]

you could check the vanity mirrors too, make sure they go off when closed. a problem with lights staying on might best be discovered when it's night time and you can take a look in the car with very low light.

This is exactly what I did last night and indeed I have discovered the cause of the parasitic draw on the battery. The problem goes all the way back to my first month of owning this car in June. As part of the purchase I ordered a Home Link mirror to be installed by the dealer. The first mirror had a working compass but the home link function didnt work. The dealer ordered a second mirror which also failed to work. They then ordered a new wiring hardness (installed along with the mirror) and a 3rd new mirror to be sure. Finally the mirror functioned properly.

Funny enough when the first mirror failed to operate I told my wife that I suspected the mechanic simply didn't wire the mirror properly. Below is what I found in my dark garage when looking inside the car:

Yes that's the N (north) from the compass of the Home Link mirror along with one home link LED.

Now I place my mirror high up along the headliner which means its pretty much impossible to see these lights on unless you bend down and look inside the car when its dark outside. Also keep in mind that when you enter and exit the car there are interior lights on which distract the eye from the small lamination of the mirror. I've driven around for months with the mirror like this and never once noticed that these features were on when they car was off.

This is what hours of tech work was unable to uncover.

I will be waiting until Monday to arrange a meeting with the service manager about the issue. I want to make sure whoever works during the week is available to meet with me.

The total number of trips if we combine mirror installation and trouble shooting along with this more recent parasitic draw issue. 7 dealer visits in 5 months. All for a mirror.

 

[CHIEFSMS3]

I have a dealer installed Homelink mirror.
The mirror should definitely shut off when you turn off the ignition.
I have my Escort 8500 x50 radar detector power routed from the mirror through an invisicord. It definitely shuts off when I turn the key off.
Your dealer has taken a shortcut and hooked the mirror power to the overhead light source rather than running the wires down the A-pillar to a switched source as the directions indicate.
Sounds like you have found the source of your power drain problem.
G/l convincing them. Have them compare your setup to a new car on the lot.

http://www.invisicord.com/order.html

 

[BlueWagon]

Glad you found the gremelin. Damn dealers...

 

[jon619]

Wow. Very nice. The dealer should definitely give you something for this.

 

[MikeHTally]

Wow. Very nice. The dealer should definitely give you something for this.

Yeah, they'll void the warranty for an improperly-installed mirror.