Mystery parasitic battery drain

17rsvert · 08-24-2018, 11:34 PM

Went away for a one week vacation and left the car (2017 3.6 V6 4500 mi) In the garage. Returned to a dead battery, measured at 4.3 V with a multimeter. Would not accept a charge from my Schumacher smart charger; kept displaying "bad" on the digital display. After 3 attempts, I set the charger to "engine start" mode for about 45 minutes, and that gave it enough charge that the charger was able to go through its full automated charge cycle.

I had a service appointment a few days later at the dealer for an unrelated issue, and asked them to check the battery and charging system. Results: battery OK, charging system OK, parasitic draw at rest measured 0.20 millivolts. The tech told me anything under 0.25 is acceptable.

I had installed extra LED lights on the inside of the trunk lid and he thought that might be the problem. The draw measured the same with them connected and disconnected, so that was not the issue. He told me I would need to leave the car there for at least 2 days so he could troubleshoot over a long time span with a recording meter. Not ready to do that yet while the weather is nice.

My one thought is that I had connected the Infotainment system to my home WI FI just to check it out, and never disabled it. Could it be possible that the WI FI could be intermitently waking up the computer causing a larger than at-rest draw? The tech did not know if that could be an issue or not.

Anyone with a similar issue figure what would cause this mystery drain?

DanSnow · 08-24-2018, 11:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 17rsvert

Went away for a one week vacation and left the car (2017 3.6 V6 4500 mi) In the garage. Returned to a dead battery, measured at 4.3 V with a multimeter. Would not accept a charge from my Schumacher smart charger; kept displaying "bad" on the digital display. After 3 attempts, I set the charger to "engine start" mode for about 45 minutes, and that gave it enough charge that the charger was able to go through its full automated charge cycle.

I had a service appointment a few days later at the dealer for an unrelated issue, and asked them to check the battery and charging system. Results: battery OK, charging system OK, parasitic draw at rest measured 0.20 millivolts. The tech told me anything under 0.25 is acceptable.

I had installed extra LED lights on the inside of the trunk lid and he thought that might be the problem. The draw measured the same with them connected and disconnected, so that was not the issue. He told me I would need to leave the car there for at least 2 days so he could troubleshoot over a long time span with a recording meter. Not ready to do that yet while the weather is nice.

My one thought is that I had connected the Infotainment system to my home WI FI just to check it out, and never disabled it. Could it be possible that the WI FI could be intermitently waking up the computer causing a larger than at-rest draw? The tech did not know if that could be an issue or not.

Anyone with a similar issue figure what would cause this mystery drain?

I've seen a few posts similar to this and even though the dealerships always say the battery is OK, the solution is generally a new battery.

wwiiavfan · 08-25-2018, 03:47 AM

That was the case for me. Battery repeatedly tested “ok”, but kept going dead. Replaced battery, problem gone.

CamaroGen6 · 08-25-2018, 07:20 AM

This reminds me of the issue the Lethal Camaro was having. He solved his problem by charging the battery for an extended period of time (video link below). Not sure if this will solve your issue as your battery tester is reading it as "bad" but maybe it's worth a shot by trying to charge it with a different charger? Also, AutoZone does free battery testing and charging.

https://youtu.be/pjEH-gAgyik

sengli · 08-25-2018, 08:38 AM

My car isnt a daily driver, so it can sit for weeks w/o me using it. That being said i have had 2 Gen5, and now this Gen6 camaros that were all new, and they suffered from the mystery dead battery issue. I now keep my cars on a battery tender all the time. But in one case replacing the battery did fix the problem. Even though the dealer said it tested good.

hotlap · 08-25-2018, 10:14 AM

My daily driven 16’s battery drained down completely overnight two times in less than two weeks. The second time I had them flatbed it to the dealer who said nothing was wrong. It’s now six months later and it didn’t happen again.

Magnum922 · 08-25-2018, 11:00 AM

I've let mine sit for a month once with no problems. Since I got the agm battery trickle charger I charge it if it sit for about 2 weeks.

torqueaddict · 08-25-2018, 11:03 AM

I think most of these problems are related to the infotainment system(for whatever reason) not going to sleep completely, or waking up randomly. The rest are probably defective batteries.

rm1023 · 08-25-2018, 11:10 AM

Had a similar issue with my Gen 5 and had the same tests performed at the dealer. The battery tested fine. Even took it to an Autozone and had them test it. Never could figure out what caused it.

Mine would sit for weeks at a time so I got a battery tender. If you are driving it often and the battery fails again after just sitting for a week, then I would replace the battery to see if that resolves the issue.

GroundhogSS · 08-25-2018, 02:18 PM

Went through this with the dealer a few weeks ago. Battery so low it would barely start the car. The gauge and a separate meter showed 12.4 volts coming from the charging system. After several times driving the car, it finally jumped up to 14 volts. Dealer said it is working "normally". Tried to blame my driving style and/or my dash cam. BS to that. If the charging system isn't reacting to low battery charge correctly, that isn't normal.

Rock-It Man · 08-25-2018, 05:11 PM

Since the trunk lights work at all times (without turning key) I would disconnect anything extra on that circuit.

In general, electrical mods on these modern cars are invitations for trouble.

TJay74 · 08-25-2018, 07:52 PM

The battery in the gen 6 Camaro is an AGM, most battery chargers wont charge an AGM unless the battery voltage is over 6v.

17rsvert · 08-26-2018, 02:31 PM

I disconnected the Wi Fi to the home router and, following the advice from the YouTube video linked above, keeping the battery charger connected for 48 hours. I'll report back when I see something

17rsvert · 09-05-2018, 09:30 PM

Update. My dash voltage reads 12.1 volts most of the time when driving, which concerns me because my battery is not staying fully charged. I had the battery hooked up to my Schumacher smart charger every night overnight last week. The car sat unused without the charger over the weekend, and when I checked the voltage (Fluke multimeter) Sunday night it was 12.52. The next day (without using it or even opening a door) it was down to 12.41 volts. The next day I drove to work and back 1/2 hour each way, and when I got home, checked the voltage again with the car shut off and it was 12.25 volts. That night I charged the battery again overnight and disconnected it in the morning. Car sat unused all day, I drove my beater jeep to work. When I got home the battery read 12.85 volts. This does not make sense.

08-24-2018, 11:34 PM	#1
17rsvert Drives: 2017 HBM 2LT RS Convertible V6 A8 Join Date: Jan 2018 Location: NJ Posts: 654	Mystery parasitic battery drain Went away for a one week vacation and left the car (2017 3.6 V6 4500 mi) In the garage. Returned to a dead battery, measured at 4.3 V with a multimeter. Would not accept a charge from my Schumacher smart charger; kept displaying "bad" on the digital display. After 3 attempts, I set the charger to "engine start" mode for about 45 minutes, and that gave it enough charge that the charger was able to go through its full automated charge cycle. I had a service appointment a few days later at the dealer for an unrelated issue, and asked them to check the battery and charging system. Results: battery OK, charging system OK, parasitic draw at rest measured 0.20 millivolts. The tech told me anything under 0.25 is acceptable. I had installed extra LED lights on the inside of the trunk lid and he thought that might be the problem. The draw measured the same with them connected and disconnected, so that was not the issue. He told me I would need to leave the car there for at least 2 days so he could troubleshoot over a long time span with a recording meter. Not ready to do that yet while the weather is nice. My one thought is that I had connected the Infotainment system to my home WI FI just to check it out, and never disabled it. Could it be possible that the WI FI could be intermitently waking up the computer causing a larger than at-rest draw? The tech did not know if that could be an issue or not. Anyone with a similar issue figure what would cause this mystery drain?

08-25-2018, 07:20 AM	#4
CamaroGen6 Drives: 2020 Camaro 2SS Join Date: Feb 2018 Location: Dallas Posts: 54	This reminds me of the issue the Lethal Camaro was having. He solved his problem by charging the battery for an extended period of time (video link below). Not sure if this will solve your issue as your battery tester is reading it as "bad" but maybe it's worth a shot by trying to charge it with a different charger? Also, AutoZone does free battery testing and charging. https://youtu.be/pjEH-gAgyik __________________ 2020 Camaro 2SS

08-25-2018, 08:38 AM	#5
sengli Drives: 2015commemorative vert 2SS Join Date: Oct 2013 Location: northern Indiana Posts: 948	My car isnt a daily driver, so it can sit for weeks w/o me using it. That being said i have had 2 Gen5, and now this Gen6 camaros that were all new, and they suffered from the mystery dead battery issue. I now keep my cars on a battery tender all the time. But in one case replacing the battery did fix the problem. Even though the dealer said it tested good. __________________ 2018 ZL1 Bright Yellow, A10, PDR, sunroof, carbon hood, and dash- sold 2020 2SS A10 sunroof..shock and steel special-traded 2015 commemorative vert 2ss

08-25-2018, 11:10 AM	#9
rm1023 Drives: 2018 Camaro 2SS Join Date: Apr 2016 Location: Kennesaw, GA Posts: 41 View My Garage	Had a similar issue with my Gen 5 and had the same tests performed at the dealer. The battery tested fine. Even took it to an Autozone and had them test it. Never could figure out what caused it. Mine would sit for weeks at a time so I got a battery tender. If you are driving it often and the battery fails again after just sitting for a week, then I would replace the battery to see if that resolves the issue. __________________ 2015 Camaro 2SS/RS Mods - CAI, PTB, 3.91 gears - Sold 2018 Camaro 2SS Mods - None yet

08-25-2018, 02:18 PM	#10
GroundhogSS Drives: '17 2SS convertible'20 Yukon Denali Join Date: Nov 2011 Location: Cedar Park, Texas Posts: 2,934	Went through this with the dealer a few weeks ago. Battery so low it would barely start the car. The gauge and a separate meter showed 12.4 volts coming from the charging system. After several times driving the car, it finally jumped up to 14 volts. Dealer said it is working "normally". Tried to blame my driving style and/or my dash cam. BS to that. If the charging system isn't reacting to low battery charge correctly, that isn't normal. __________________ Richard 2017 2SS SIM convertible, A8, NPP, MRC, 56R wheels, GM CAI, Diode Dynamics Side Markers Delivered: 08/15/2016 #TeamBeckyD

08-25-2018, 03:47 AM	#3
wwiiavfan Drives: 2017 1SS Hyper Blue Join Date: Apr 2017 Location: Wisconsin Posts: 478	That was the case for me. Battery repeatedly tested “ok”, but kept going dead. Replaced battery, problem gone.

08-25-2018, 10:14 AM	#6
hotlap Drives: 20 1LE 2SS M6 Rally Green Join Date: Mar 2014 Location: Franklin WI Posts: 6,632	My daily driven 16’s battery drained down completely overnight two times in less than two weeks. The second time I had them flatbed it to the dealer who said nothing was wrong. It’s now six months later and it didn’t happen again.

08-25-2018, 11:00 AM	#7
Magnum922 Drives: 2017 Camaro 2SS, A8 Join Date: Aug 2017 Location: North carolina Posts: 336	I've let mine sit for a month once with no problems. Since I got the agm battery trickle charger I charge it if it sit for about 2 weeks.

08-25-2018, 11:03 AM	#8
torqueaddict Drives: Tesla M3 LR-AWD [Former 1SS owner] Join Date: Jan 2018 Location: Miami Posts: 950	I think most of these problems are related to the infotainment system(for whatever reason) not going to sleep completely, or waking up randomly. The rest are probably defective batteries.

08-25-2018, 05:11 PM	#11
Rock-It Man 376 cubic inches of fun Drives: 2023 Camaro ZL1 A10 Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: MA Posts: 4,033 View My Garage	Since the trunk lights work at all times (without turning key) I would disconnect anything extra on that circuit. In general, electrical mods on these modern cars are invitations for trouble.

08-25-2018, 07:52 PM	#12
TJay74 Drives: 17 Camaro SS 1LE & 16 Sierra AT CC Join Date: Nov 2016 Location: Norman, OK Posts: 2,424	The battery in the gen 6 Camaro is an AGM, most battery chargers wont charge an AGM unless the battery voltage is over 6v. __________________ 2019 Corvette Z06 2LZ A8 - Halltech CAI, AWE non-catted X-pipe, Mamo V2 ported TB 592rwhp, bone stock 566rwhp 2017 Camaro SS 1LE - Procharger D1SC w/ Tial 2" BOV & Race intercooler / ARH full length catless headers / Alky meth injection system - 650rwhp on conservative tune SOLD

08-26-2018, 02:31 PM	#13
17rsvert Drives: 2017 HBM 2LT RS Convertible V6 A8 Join Date: Jan 2018 Location: NJ Posts: 654	I disconnected the Wi Fi to the home router and, following the advice from the YouTube video linked above, keeping the battery charger connected for 48 hours. I'll report back when I see something

09-05-2018, 09:30 PM	#14
17rsvert Drives: 2017 HBM 2LT RS Convertible V6 A8 Join Date: Jan 2018 Location: NJ Posts: 654	Update. My dash voltage reads 12.1 volts most of the time when driving, which concerns me because my battery is not staying fully charged. I had the battery hooked up to my Schumacher smart charger every night overnight last week. The car sat unused without the charger over the weekend, and when I checked the voltage (Fluke multimeter) Sunday night it was 12.52. The next day (without using it or even opening a door) it was down to 12.41 volts. The next day I drove to work and back 1/2 hour each way, and when I got home, checked the voltage again with the car shut off and it was 12.25 volts. That night I charged the battery again overnight and disconnected it in the morning. Car sat unused all day, I drove my beater jeep to work. When I got home the battery read 12.85 volts. This does not make sense.

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