SPONSORED LINKS

Battery drains, when I put a jump box on it, it beeps and says it is reverse polarity or something like that?

Tiny
BEETLEPUNK21
  • MEMBER
  • 1998 HONDA ACCORD
  • 3.0L
  • V6
  • 2WD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 207,000 MILES
I just bought this vehicle. Brand new battery but there is a drain somewhere.

It will drain the battery completely! The only way to start the vehicle is using jumper cables from another car.

When I put a jump box on it, it beeps and says it’s reverse polarity or something like that.

After jump starting, the headlights and blinkers sometimes flash like maybe the security alarm is going off. But there is no noise, and the car is able to be driven.

Any idea where to start or look for?
SPONSORED LINKS
Monday, May 20th, 2024 AT 5:22 AM

11 Replies

Tiny
KEN L
  • MASTER CERTIFIED MECHANIC
  • 47,722 POSTS
I would remove the A/C compressor clutch relay to see if the drain stops, this is a common problem with these cars and will hold the clutch coil engaged for the compressor.

This guide can help as well:

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/car-battery-dead-overnight

The jump box can just be responding to a really dead battery so I wouldn't worry about that unless you do have the cables mixed up. I would try the jump box on a known good battery to see if it functions correctly. Here is the location of the compressor relay. Check out the images (below). Let us know how it goes.
Image (Click to make bigger)
Thumb
SPONSORED LINKS
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
Monday, May 20th, 2024 AT 2:34 PM
Tiny
BEETLEPUNK21
  • MEMBER
  • 57 POSTS
Okay, I will check that...
But what would be causing the headlights and turn signals to flash?
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
Tuesday, May 21st, 2024 AT 5:51 AM
Tiny
KEN L
  • MASTER CERTIFIED MECHANIC
  • 47,722 POSTS
Can I ask if the car has an aftermarket alarm on it? If so, this will be the problem and possibly the battery drain, I would remove the aftermarket alarm and return the wiring back to stock.
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
+1
Tuesday, May 21st, 2024 AT 8:26 AM
Tiny
BEETLEPUNK21
  • MEMBER
  • 57 POSTS
Okay, I will check. Thanks!
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
Tuesday, May 21st, 2024 AT 8:27 AM
Tiny
BEETLEPUNK21
  • MEMBER
  • 57 POSTS
So, it appears that the alarm is somehow activating when starting the car.

The radio will not even turn on. It will say antitheft.

There doesn’t appear to be an aftermarket alarm system. It seems to be factory. I tried a working fob, and it didn’t do anything

What should I try next?
SPONSORED LINKS
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
Tuesday, May 21st, 2024 AT 6:53 PM
Tiny
BEETLEPUNK21
  • MEMBER
  • 57 POSTS
Can I just disable the factory alarm system? Do you know what the procedure is for that?
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
Wednesday, May 22nd, 2024 AT 8:13 AM
Tiny
KEN L
  • MASTER CERTIFIED MECHANIC
  • 47,722 POSTS
Let's try a hard system reboot, this guide can help you:

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/step-by-step-guide-performing-a-hard-system-reboot-for-your-vehicles-electronics-systems

Please go over this guide and get back to us.
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
Wednesday, May 22nd, 2024 AT 10:56 AM
Tiny
BEETLEPUNK21
  • MEMBER
  • 57 POSTS
I went out to try and start the car and it was completely dead. So, there’s still a drain somewhere.
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
Thursday, May 23rd, 2024 AT 1:54 PM
Tiny
BEETLEPUNK21
  • MEMBER
  • 57 POSTS
I tried the hard system reboot #3. After hooking the cables back up the car alarm started. I did press unlock on the fob and it stopped.
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
Friday, May 24th, 2024 AT 10:47 AM
Tiny
BEETLEPUNK21
  • MEMBER
  • 57 POSTS
But there is still a drain somewhere, where should I look first?
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
Friday, May 24th, 2024 AT 10:48 AM
Tiny
KEN L
  • MASTER CERTIFIED MECHANIC
  • 47,722 POSTS
Did you try the A/C compressor control relay? Also please go over this guide:

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/car-battery-dead-overnight

Please go over this guide and get back to us.
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
Friday, May 24th, 2024 AT 12:44 PM

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

Sponsored links