OK, this is a strange one for me. 2008 LX
Hit a deer on the left-hand side, fairly low speed and minor: No body damage, Horn was toast, headlight mounting broken and turn signal light in headlight messed up the socket. Drove it for a few miles and the battery immediately drained.
Got it back home and fixed the light, new horn too but battery still draining, or not charging.
Have checked:
Battery (was low but even after charging it drained and was a few years old anyhow so I replaced it)
Fuses
Replaced signal bulb socket (broken in impact)
Replaced horn (broken in impact)
Thought about ELD
Checked battery voltage while running with voltmeter and scan tool - said Alternator was bad (11.4 volts). Checked connections, replaced corroded negative battery ground cable.
Hesitant to replace the alternator because it seemed to be working OK before the impact, perhaps a little weak but never had dead battery.
Checked for parasitic drain, key off and it seems to be low (normal). Does seem an ignition on drain might be happening.
Thoughts before I replace the alternator:
Bad ground somewhere other than the battery cable?
Short somewhere else that was caused by the impact?
I'll replace the alternator if needed but I have a sneaking suspicion it won't solve the issue.
Thoughts on how to run this down? I really don't want to take it somewhere and be charge $1000 for a simple issue.
Hit a deer on the left-hand side, fairly low speed and minor: No body damage, Horn was toast, headlight mounting broken and turn signal light in headlight messed up the socket. Drove it for a few miles and the battery immediately drained.
Got it back home and fixed the light, new horn too but battery still draining, or not charging.
Have checked:
Battery (was low but even after charging it drained and was a few years old anyhow so I replaced it)
Fuses
Replaced signal bulb socket (broken in impact)
Replaced horn (broken in impact)
Thought about ELD
Checked battery voltage while running with voltmeter and scan tool - said Alternator was bad (11.4 volts). Checked connections, replaced corroded negative battery ground cable.
Hesitant to replace the alternator because it seemed to be working OK before the impact, perhaps a little weak but never had dead battery.
Checked for parasitic drain, key off and it seems to be low (normal). Does seem an ignition on drain might be happening.
Thoughts before I replace the alternator:
Bad ground somewhere other than the battery cable?
Short somewhere else that was caused by the impact?
I'll replace the alternator if needed but I have a sneaking suspicion it won't solve the issue.
Thoughts on how to run this down? I really don't want to take it somewhere and be charge $1000 for a simple issue.
