dead battery

[imitiday]

I had to jump start my car 2 days ago as the battery was completely
dead.I called the service manager to report this & was told not to leave
the smart in the car after parking in my garage?? Something about the
smart key causing the batt. to discharge.He suggests removing the key
and putting it somewhere away from the car.I contacted hma in ca.&
they said they are unaware of any problems like this & to get back in
touch with the dealer again.That,s it,case closed. Anyone else have this
happen?

 

[moose66]

First I have heard of this. Is the smart key just left in the car somewhere, or are you leaving it in the slot designated for the smart key? That may or may not be what the service folks are talking about. Maybe the smart key is constantly in sync with the car when in close proximity. Therefore if left in the car, it is constantly using some level of the cars power. Thus draining the battery. Just a guess.

 

[jwaters943]

Funny this should come up because I was reading about this same thing happening to Mitsubishi Outlander owners (we also have an Outlander which has a smart key). I honestly don't think it's a good idea to leave the key in the car under any circumstance so I've never had the opportunity to test it out. With that said, it is strange that there isn't some sort of timer/failsafe to prevent this from happening.

 

[LLT]

What's the big deal with just removing the key? It's something you should do anyway -- are you aware of the consequences if your vehicle is stolen with the key in it? IF the insurance company pays the claim at all, you won't enjoy your new rates, assuming they don't drop you like a hot potato.

The vehicle is in constant communication with the key (hence why when you exit the vehicle and leave it, the vehicle beeps) -- it makes perfect sense that the battery would drain after a period of time.

 

[dataguy]

Yep, the smart key slot in the center console is really supposed to be used in case your smart key's battery dies. I know some use it out of habit (EDIT: and to activate the seat/wheel to the last position--maybe that has something to do with it?). I'm puzzled to as to why that would kill the battery, but agree that it's not the best idea to leave it there unattended. I'm sure you lock your garage, but even if I had a garage like Ft. Knox, I don't think I'd leave the keys in the ignition.

 

[imitiday]

I had been leaving the smart key either on the seat or in the cup holder,but
not in the key slot.If there is an issue of draining battery power,why then,
did not HMA.confirm it.They replied to me of having no knowledge of this
problem.Seems to me it's much more convenient to just get in the car &
fire it up with the smart key already in it.I & my wife have each forgotten
to retrieve the key from the adjoining basement after entering the car.
Oh well, no biggie,I'm sure we will still love our Gennie.

 

[dataguy]

There have been several issues that dealers don't know about, that HMA won't recognize, or that they simply haven't figured out there's an issue with. It's a relatively new car. And dealers and reps tend to latch onto something that can potentially explain away the situation (i.e. you leaving the key in the vehicle).

If you're not putting the key in the slot, then it's something else that's draining the battery. I can't imagine why just having the key inside the vehicle is going to cause the battery to drain. As far as I know, the only times the vehicle checks for the key is when you press the start button, press the exterior door buttons for proximity entry, or when you do something that the car would need to confirm where the key actually is (such as locking the doors or exiting the car when the motor is running).

 

[jwaters943]

Dataguy,

I'm not sure if you missed my post above, but Mitsubishi Outlander owners have reported dead car batteries by leaving the smart key in the car for prolonged periods of time. Lexus/Toyota owners have reported similar issues with various makes/models. I know it sounds weird, but it seems to be true.

 

[dataguy]

I'm not saying that it's not possible, just that I don't see why it would be happening. You're talking about a low power, RFID-type transmission between the two. Presumably, one side or the other is sending out some sort of signal periodically to see if the other half is there and to authenticate. Just don't see a battery the size of the one in the trunk running down to zero when you can do that with very little power.

Could it be coincidental with other power draw?

 

[ShoNuff]

I'm not saying that it's not possible, just that I don't see why it would be happening. You're talking about a low power, RFID-type transmission between the two. Presumably, one side or the other is sending out some sort of signal periodically to see if the other half is there and to authenticate. Just don't see a battery the size of the one in the trunk running down to zero when you can do that with very little power.

Could it be coincidental with other power draw?

Let me stress that this is only a theory, but I recall from another thread that if you get in the car with the proximity key the nav screen will light up just a bit. In that other thread, it was noted that the computer system goes into some kind of pre-start mode when the key is detected. Now, if one leaves the key in the car it is my theory that the nav screen may be drawing power and possibly the rest of the computer system. I have no idea how much power this could drain, but it seems logical that this "pre-start" mode could drain a battery eventually.

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[dataguy]

Let me stress that this is only a theory, but I recall from another thread that if you get in the car with the proximity key the nav screen will light up just a bit. In that other thread, it was noted that the computer system goes into some kind of pre-start mode when the key is detected. Now, if one leaves the key in the car it is my theory that the nav screen may be drawing power and possibly the rest of the computer system. I have no idea how much power this could drain, but it seems logical that this "pre-start" mode could drain a battery eventually.

That sounds very plausible! I checked out the nav screen, and sure enough, it looks like there's a ghost image (i.e. backlighting is not turned on) of the warning screen. Tapping on the controller doesn't dismiss it, but it sure would make sense if the display and computer drew power.

 

[thomas.cena09]

Dead battery is a big problem for you, because you will not be able to start your car and also lightning options available on your car will not be able to work in proper way. Get it solved immediately.

 

[GripperDon]

Did you know the AMP Hour rating of the battery? 740 versus 650 for the Lincoln MKS. Sure would not run the Lexicon sound system long!

 

[dpark02]

I just bought a V8 (Tech package). After 500 miles (less than a week) I began to have Battery issues.

First the car would not start. The starter solinoid clicks but not enough juice to turn over. A jump starts the car but the battery does not maintain power. I tested the alternator and the tester shows that it is recharging.

I also have had XM radio shut off, radio / navi sound go dead, navigation resetting the programmed route while driving.

Even after recharging to 100%, the batery only has enough juice to start once or twice. This morning, I found something curious. While recharging the battery (charger indicator showed about 90% power) I opened the doors. Immediately the battery dropped to 20% (about 9 volts). As soon as I open the the door the voltage drops. It must be a electronic / computer issue.

As today is a holiday, I will be visiting the dealer tommorow. It's getting me nervous. Did I get a lemon?

If anyone else out ther have found a solution, or can advise what to do, please let me know. I will share any finding I get. I hope the dealer knows what they are doing. At least, I feel a little better that this may not be an isolated issue as I have seen other forums describe the same problems.

I don't tbhink the smart key has anything to do with my issues as it happens without or without the key in the car

Dan

 

[danieltoye101@msn.com]

I just bought a V8 (Tech package). After 500 miles (less than a week) I began to have Battery issues.

First the car would not start. The starter solinoid clicks but not enough juice to turn over. A jump starts the car but the battery does not maintain power. I tested the alternator and the tester shows that it is recharging.

I also have had XM radio shut off, radio / navi sound go dead, navigation resetting the programmed route while driving.

Even after recharging to 100%, the batery only has enough juice to start once or twice. This morning, I found something curious. While recharging the battery (charger indicator showed about 90% power) I opened the doors. Immediately the battery dropped to 20% (about 9 volts). As soon as I open the the door the voltage drops. It must be a electronic / computer issue.

As today is a holiday, I will be visiting the dealer tommorow. It's getting me nervous. Did I get a lemon?

If anyone else out ther have found a solution, or can advise what to do, please let me know. I will share any finding I get. I hope the dealer knows what they are doing. At least, I feel a little better that this may not be an isolated issue as I have seen other forums describe the same problems.

I don't tbhink the smart key has anything to do with my issues as it happens without or without the key in the car

Dan

don't worry until you know what the problem is as in most cases the battery may need to be replaced. If it is under 24 months old I do believe it will be replaced for free under the warrenty

 

[majbjd]

Sounds like a bad battery. Many batteries that are on their last legs will show 12-13 volts after a recharge. However, as soon as a load is applied they drop like a rock. Have the dealer do a load test on the battery, it will likely fail.

 

[dpark02]

OK Mystery solved (.. for good I hope)
I had to jump the car to get it to the dealer. At the dealer, the car starts up right away during their diagnostic, making for strange looks by the service technicians. Fortunately after about 3 starts while, the car failed to start again. I guess they now believed me

To make long story short, it was a the battery. Apparently there was an internal short. New battery was installed under warrantee and it seems to have fixed the issue. I am still leary because technicians still can't explain the shutting down of sound and navi while driving.

For now ... unless something else pops up I'm a happy camper