Dying battery on 2001 Grand Am

I installed a Crimestopper Keyless Entry/Remote Start on a 2001 Pontiac Grand Am. Everything works fine but the battery keeps dying. At first the relay I used to power accessory was staying on but I fixed that. Now, the owner's tell me that they don't see any lights or anything else left on. I'm pretty sure that I can find it but if anybody could point me in the right direction it would be great.
Thanks

Hey Shaun, check to see if the second IGN relay ( if applicable ) is drawing current. You should only have this connection hooked up to IGN power not Constant for obvious reasons. Next check to see if your bypass module is drawing power. There should only be one wire that is constant on the module, the other power wires should be switched ignition. Check to see if any added relays that you have is getting power on the common on the relays.

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Jeff
Velocity Custom Home Theater
Mobile Audio/Video Specialist
Morden, Manitoba CANADA

Actually on most of the Crimestopper modules, there are two fused constant power wires. Which model do you have?

You could test the current draw between the positive battery cable and the positive battery post using a multimeter and then unplug one thing at a time until the current draw is eliminated.

Good Luck!

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Check to make sure they don't have anything plugged into the cig lighter if it is on constant. You don't know how many times I went to troubleshoot our system causing a dead battery (according to the mechanic) just to tell them to unplug the incense or some gadget from the cig lighter..Some other common ones to double check are that the glovebox, hood, and trunk are getting closed all the way and the lights are not staying on.

If your pretty certain it is your unit, undo the battery cable and put your meter in series with it set to amps. Do not attempt to start the car or operate any accessories or you will fry your meter. Let the meter sit, undo the underhood light if it has one, close all doors, etc. After all the bcms shut down the number will stabilize at some point. Record that number. Put the battery cable back on.

Now go in and completely unplug your unit. Close everything back up and test again. If there is a significant difference, it's your unit take things one at a time until you figure out what's causing the draw. If the difference is slim, it most likely isn't your problem.

Another thing you should do is call up a dealer and ask what the allowable amp draw is on that particular car. Common numbers you'll hear would be 40 - 60 mA and some cars the allowable is as low as 20mA..

Good luck,

Mike

If I remember correctly, the car shut its self down after 20 minute, to reduce chance of killing the battery.  Did you hook up starter kill to this unit?  If you did, check to see if the relay is energized, if it is rewire.  Check to see if alternater is charging, if a diode goes bad it can kill the battery.

I haven't gotten to look at the car yet but I think I figured out what the problem is. I hooked up a starter kill using ground when running and ignition on the relay coil. I also used ground when running on the PLDATA. I'm guessing the IGN is showing ground when the car is off and keeping the PLDATA on. I'm supposed to look at it either tomorrow morning or Thursday and I'll let you know. Thanks for everybody's help
Shaun

NowYaKnow wrote:

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just to tell them to unplug the incense or some gadget from the cig lighter..

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LMFAO !!! *Must breath* LOL, I have seen this so many times, as well . . .

Regards

EVIL Teken . . .

If for any reason you are drawing power from the dome light circuit, then it would cause the bcm to never shut down causing the battery to go dead.

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Certified Security Specialist
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