Hi Everyone,
I'm trying to help out my not really mechanically inclined Mom that lives 1,200 miles away with a frustrating Parasitic Draw issue with 2009 Envoy 4.2 I-6.
OEM options/accessories: Heated Seats, Sunroof, Rear HVAC vents, 6 disc changer, rear TVs and DVD player.
Aftermarket accessories: Remote Starter, Aftermarket Backup Camera.
Here's the run down of Electrical System Issues and Repairs she has done lately.
Aug 2018: Battery Replacement
Oct 2018: Battery Failed, got warranty replacement.
Fall 2019: Intermittent starting problems.
Nov 2019: Starting issues persisted, upgraded to larger CCA battery with better warranty.
Experienced occasional starting issues after truck sat for days at a time, frequent situation since she is retired, doesn't drive daily.
Feb 2020: Battery would not charge with 12v wall plug in battery charger. Replaced under warranty 3 months after purchase.
Took vehicle to mechanic who tested battery, alternator, and ground. Found Alternator was pushing 15v, replaced alternator with reman.
10 Days later: Starting issues continue, will not charge properly, road side assistance jumped battery. Replaced battery AGAIN because it failed testing at Walmart.
Present day: Situation has regressed to the point where the battery will start draining within hours of the car being shut off.
She started hooking up the battery to the charger when parked because it had a trickle charging/battery tender function and claimed that it was showing as low in as short of a time span as 2 or so hours.
I finally got to the point where I told her to flat out DISCONNECT the battery cables when she parked and to leave the cables off until she absolutely had to drive it someplace.
She had another short appointment with the mechanic who claims he tested both the under hood and rear fuse box and that they were both showing some signs of drain. It doesn't sound like he went fuse by fuse to test of Amp drops.
I've told her to go back AGAIN and have him check the Remote Starter and the Backup Camera wiring FIRST then start going thru fuses.
If he doesn't find a definitive source for discovers that it's something more involved like the rear HVAC actuator motor she claims she can hear turn on then I want her to bring it to a dealer and have them deal with it.
Still with me here? Good! Now for my questions!
1) Is the ECU advanced enough on these trucks that an OBDII Diagnostic Scan could actually show a fault code for an Electrical Issue? i.e. isolate it to something like the HVAC actuator motor?
2) If the ECU is that advanced could the dealer "shut off" a power draining accessory?
3) Are there any known Parasitic Draw issues with these trucks that should be looked into?
Any other advice is appreciated!
I'm trying to help out my not really mechanically inclined Mom that lives 1,200 miles away with a frustrating Parasitic Draw issue with 2009 Envoy 4.2 I-6.
OEM options/accessories: Heated Seats, Sunroof, Rear HVAC vents, 6 disc changer, rear TVs and DVD player.
Aftermarket accessories: Remote Starter, Aftermarket Backup Camera.
Here's the run down of Electrical System Issues and Repairs she has done lately.
Aug 2018: Battery Replacement
Oct 2018: Battery Failed, got warranty replacement.
Fall 2019: Intermittent starting problems.
Nov 2019: Starting issues persisted, upgraded to larger CCA battery with better warranty.
Experienced occasional starting issues after truck sat for days at a time, frequent situation since she is retired, doesn't drive daily.
Feb 2020: Battery would not charge with 12v wall plug in battery charger. Replaced under warranty 3 months after purchase.
Took vehicle to mechanic who tested battery, alternator, and ground. Found Alternator was pushing 15v, replaced alternator with reman.
10 Days later: Starting issues continue, will not charge properly, road side assistance jumped battery. Replaced battery AGAIN because it failed testing at Walmart.
Present day: Situation has regressed to the point where the battery will start draining within hours of the car being shut off.
She started hooking up the battery to the charger when parked because it had a trickle charging/battery tender function and claimed that it was showing as low in as short of a time span as 2 or so hours.
I finally got to the point where I told her to flat out DISCONNECT the battery cables when she parked and to leave the cables off until she absolutely had to drive it someplace.
She had another short appointment with the mechanic who claims he tested both the under hood and rear fuse box and that they were both showing some signs of drain. It doesn't sound like he went fuse by fuse to test of Amp drops.
I've told her to go back AGAIN and have him check the Remote Starter and the Backup Camera wiring FIRST then start going thru fuses.
If he doesn't find a definitive source for discovers that it's something more involved like the rear HVAC actuator motor she claims she can hear turn on then I want her to bring it to a dealer and have them deal with it.
Still with me here? Good! Now for my questions!
1) Is the ECU advanced enough on these trucks that an OBDII Diagnostic Scan could actually show a fault code for an Electrical Issue? i.e. isolate it to something like the HVAC actuator motor?
2) If the ECU is that advanced could the dealer "shut off" a power draining accessory?
3) Are there any known Parasitic Draw issues with these trucks that should be looked into?
Any other advice is appreciated!