Alarm causing parasitic battery drain?

Tiny
DARRELL ANDREWS
  • MEMBER
  • 2000 NISSAN MAXIMA
  • 3.0L
  • V6
  • 2WD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 150,007 MILES
I have been dealing with this problem since I purchased this car. The dash cluster lights stay on without the key until the battery is disconnected. I've tested for drain and found that the short is somewhere in the factory alarm wiring. Do I have to test each wire individually? Also the horn constantly blows but I have the fuse out now. Any help and alarm wiring diagram would be greatly appreciated. Thank you in advance.
Thursday, August 26th, 2021 AT 7:14 AM

16 Replies

Tiny
MASTER ASE TECH
  • MECHANIC
  • 82 POSTS
Hi, I'm Dan.

I've attached a wiring diagram for the anti theft system. Make sure it is a factory alarm. If it's an aftermarket alarm, try to remove it. Do you have the key fobs and do they work? Are they programmed to set and turn off the alarm/open the doors?

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/how-to-reset-a-security-system
Image (Click to make bigger)
Thumb
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
Thursday, August 26th, 2021 AT 11:12 AM
Tiny
DARRELL ANDREWS
  • MEMBER
  • 23 POSTS
They are aftermarket key fobs but they function and it is the factory alarm but there was an aftermarket alarm on it I forgot to mention. I removed this thinking it was the problem.
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
Thursday, August 26th, 2021 AT 1:55 PM
Tiny
DARRELL ANDREWS
  • MEMBER
  • 23 POSTS
These t-taps were left over from the aftermarket alarm install by the previous owner. Should I remove these also?
Image (Click to make bigger)
Thumb
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
Thursday, August 26th, 2021 AT 7:26 PM
Tiny
MASTER ASE TECH
  • MECHANIC
  • 82 POSTS
The T-Taps should be ok to leave in. Usually they create a broken/open wire concern.
You may want to remove fuse #12 and #13 to see if that corrects the issue. If it does it could point you towards a faulty 'Smart Entrance Control Unit.'
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
Friday, August 27th, 2021 AT 10:27 AM
Tiny
DARRELL ANDREWS
  • MEMBER
  • 23 POSTS
Okay, I will try this and let you know what happens. Thanks again. I'm trying to learn my way around the wiring of vehicles.
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
Friday, August 27th, 2021 AT 10:53 AM
Tiny
ASEMASTER6371
  • MECHANIC
  • 52,796 POSTS
Good morning,

Those connectors have to go. They cannot stay. Those connectors are called scotch locks and they break wires to make contact. They are nothing but a headache.

They need to be removed and the wires connected with solder and shrink wrap to be sure you will not have further issues.

Roy
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
Monday, August 30th, 2021 AT 2:18 AM
Tiny
DARRELL ANDREWS
  • MEMBER
  • 23 POSTS
Okay, and removing the fuses did not work. I will remove the scotch locks today. There are more scotch locks on the ignition switch wiring, could this have been the problem all along?
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
Monday, August 30th, 2021 AT 3:50 AM
Tiny
ASEMASTER6371
  • MECHANIC
  • 52,796 POSTS
Yes, it could have been them all along.

Roy
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
Monday, August 30th, 2021 AT 4:46 AM
Tiny
DARRELL ANDREWS
  • MEMBER
  • 23 POSTS
Thank you and I will get to it as soon as possible and let you know the outcome.
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
Monday, August 30th, 2021 AT 5:33 AM
Tiny
ASEMASTER6371
  • MECHANIC
  • 52,796 POSTS
You are welcome.

Keep us updated.

Roy
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
Monday, August 30th, 2021 AT 4:38 PM
Tiny
DARRELL ANDREWS
  • MEMBER
  • 23 POSTS
Well, I haven't gotten around to it yet, been working like crazy, but now sometimes the lights go off as if there is no problems. I know I have to get to it. I love my lil work car.
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
Friday, September 3rd, 2021 AT 11:43 AM
Tiny
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
  • MECHANIC
  • 110,176 POSTS
Hi,

I noticed it has been a few days since we made contact with you. I was just wondering if any progress has been made. We're interested in knowing.

Joe
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
Sunday, September 5th, 2021 AT 7:00 PM
Tiny
DARRELL ANDREWS
  • MEMBER
  • 23 POSTS
I haven't gotten around to it yet, been working like crazy. I'm off this weekend so I'm going in on starting Friday evening.
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
Sunday, September 5th, 2021 AT 7:09 PM
Tiny
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
  • MECHANIC
  • 110,176 POSTS
Hi,

Sounds good. We just want to make sure we are helping. If you have a chance, let us know if you resolve the issue. Also, let us know if you have other questions.

Take care,

Joe
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
Sunday, September 5th, 2021 AT 8:00 PM
Tiny
DARRELL ANDREWS
  • MEMBER
  • 23 POSTS
Thank you and you guys are a big help.
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
Sunday, September 5th, 2021 AT 8:12 PM
Tiny
ASEMASTER6371
  • MECHANIC
  • 52,796 POSTS
You are welcome.

We are always glad to help.

Roy
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
Monday, September 6th, 2021 AT 2:44 AM

Please login or register to post a reply.

Related Battery Drain Content

How to Test for a Battery Drain-Draw
VIDEO
How to Test for a Battery Drain-Draw
Instructional repair video
Battery Parasitic Drain Repair
GUIDE
Battery Parasitic Drain Repair
A car battery should hold its charge for a few months before needing to be recharged, if not the battery has gone bad or the car has a parasitic draw, something is staying ...
VIEW MORE