"Phantom" battery drain
11-04-2019 | 07:05 AM
#13
Thread Starter
Senior Member
Joined: 08-03-2010
Posts: 3,564
From: Lake Ronkonkoma, N.Y.
Just an opinion.
The BCM is a fuse box center. Sort of like your breaker box in your home. Now if you keep tripping breakers in your home, do you blame the breaker box ?
Usually not. Most of the time it's something that's connected to that box. Outlets, light fixtures, HVAC units, pumps or wiring are the cause MOST of the time for tripped breakers.
So. Why condemn the BCM ? I would be looking at something that is connected to the BCM for the cause.
I know it's not the best comparison. But that's the way I look at things like this.
The BCM is a fuse box center. Sort of like your breaker box in your home. Now if you keep tripping breakers in your home, do you blame the breaker box ?
Usually not. Most of the time it's something that's connected to that box. Outlets, light fixtures, HVAC units, pumps or wiring are the cause MOST of the time for tripped breakers.
So. Why condemn the BCM ? I would be looking at something that is connected to the BCM for the cause.
I know it's not the best comparison. But that's the way I look at things like this.
If the BCM is not 100% could it complete a ground to a relay that could brain the battery over night ?
It would have to be a large draw, but then again maybe not.
Knowing that it only takes a small battery voltage drop to go below what the HHR doesn't like to even start.
11-04-2019 | 07:17 AM
#14
Administrator
Joined: 10-13-2011
Posts: 37,825
From: Welland,Ont Canada
I want to discuss a problem I have and have seen other people with the HHR also have had from various Google searches.
Every now and then, at random, the battery goes dead over night. It could be hot or cold temperatures.
Checking with a volt meter does show voltage is low.
Checking charging system always finds it good.
Load checking the battery when fully charged also shows no problem.
Also my battery is only 6 months old. It was replaced under warranty for this battery drain problem with the thought the battery was defective.
I came across (by Google search) a person on this forum back in 2009 that had this issue. It was determined by a dealer that the BCM was bad and it was replaced and programmed.
I found an article that show problems with BCM's and it says parasitic drain.
https://moduleexperts.com/5-common-s...ol-module-bcm/
What are your views on this?
Every now and then, at random, the battery goes dead over night. It could be hot or cold temperatures.
Checking with a volt meter does show voltage is low.
Checking charging system always finds it good.
Load checking the battery when fully charged also shows no problem.
Also my battery is only 6 months old. It was replaced under warranty for this battery drain problem with the thought the battery was defective.
I came across (by Google search) a person on this forum back in 2009 that had this issue. It was determined by a dealer that the BCM was bad and it was replaced and programmed.
I found an article that show problems with BCM's and it says parasitic drain.
https://moduleexperts.com/5-common-s...ol-module-bcm/
What are your views on this?
Ok I re read post one! Why can’t you answer some questions? If you have your HHR running fine, there’s no further need for discussion, I’m out.
11-04-2019 | 10:11 AM
#15
Thread Starter
Senior Member
Joined: 08-03-2010
Posts: 3,564
From: Lake Ronkonkoma, N.Y.
Thus the discussion of a possible BCM problem that can't be traced because it is a infrequent occurrence.
11-04-2019 | 10:19 AM
#16
Platinum Member
Joined: 04-09-2006
Posts: 7,039
From: Vancouver, BC, Canada
Once again things go off the rails ..........................................
Cat Man Hhr opened the discussion with - "I want to discuss a problem I have" - so that opens up asking questions about the previous diagnostic events taken. Unless one only means they are the only one to discuss it.
and the article states "If your BCM begins to malfunction, you will notice a negative effect on the operation of the various parts that the Body Control Module commands and it’s likely that you’ll experience one or more of the following symptoms:"
Note it says IF YOUR BCM BEGINS TO MALFUNCTION - it states nowhere that the BCM should be considered to be the first thing to check in case of problems.
Cat Man Hhr opened the discussion with - "I want to discuss a problem I have" - so that opens up asking questions about the previous diagnostic events taken. Unless one only means they are the only one to discuss it.
and the article states "If your BCM begins to malfunction, you will notice a negative effect on the operation of the various parts that the Body Control Module commands and it’s likely that you’ll experience one or more of the following symptoms:"
Note it says IF YOUR BCM BEGINS TO MALFUNCTION - it states nowhere that the BCM should be considered to be the first thing to check in case of problems.
11-04-2019 | 12:01 PM
#17
Administrator
Joined: 10-13-2011
Posts: 37,825
From: Welland,Ont Canada
So, now you have a problem, did you inspect and test the relays? As I asked before?
No, you seem to want to discuss it , but not accept any advice, or answer questions.
I’m still out , but you didn’t like Donbrew’s post either.
No, you seem to want to discuss it , but not accept any advice, or answer questions.
I’m still out , but you didn’t like Donbrew’s post either.
11-04-2019 | 12:35 PM
#18
Thread Starter
Senior Member
Joined: 08-03-2010
Posts: 3,564
From: Lake Ronkonkoma, N.Y.
OK let's stop right here.
I asked this as a problem or possible problem, that someone else has had.
Maybe, just maybe, that person or persons said after all the testing done by themselves or a qualified technician have found the issue as the BCM.
Granted a computer is the least likely to condemn.
HOW? Can you test for a problem when it's random ?
Just asking could it be the BCM as the random battery drain, no start problem.
I am not trying to drag this question/discussion in the mud.
Just say yes it could cause the problem or not.
And I'll end this now and you can close it out.
I asked this as a problem or possible problem, that someone else has had.
Maybe, just maybe, that person or persons said after all the testing done by themselves or a qualified technician have found the issue as the BCM.
Granted a computer is the least likely to condemn.
HOW? Can you test for a problem when it's random ?
Just asking could it be the BCM as the random battery drain, no start problem.
I am not trying to drag this question/discussion in the mud.
Just say yes it could cause the problem or not.
And I'll end this now and you can close it out.
11-04-2019 | 01:30 PM
#19
Administrator
Joined: 10-13-2011
Posts: 37,825
From: Welland,Ont Canada
The problem can be the BCM , however, we always test the other stuff first. An intermittent relay can be exchanged to test, just mark the questionable one.
the dirty or loose ground wires , loose fuse box halves all come to mind, and low battery voltage, this is why I always suggest a lobotomy first , it’s easy and cheap .
the dirty or loose ground wires , loose fuse box halves all come to mind, and low battery voltage, this is why I always suggest a lobotomy first , it’s easy and cheap .
