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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?
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Monday, May 20th, 2024 AT 5:22 AM

11 Replies

Tiny
KEN L
  • MASTER CERTIFIED MECHANIC
  • 43,662 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.
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Monday, May 20th, 2024 AT 2:34 PM
Tiny
BEETLEPUNK21
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  • 53 POSTS
Okay, I will check that...
But what would be causing the headlights and turn signals to flash?
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Tuesday, May 21st, 2024 AT 5:51 AM
Tiny
KEN L
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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.
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Tuesday, May 21st, 2024 AT 8:26 AM
Tiny
BEETLEPUNK21
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  • 53 POSTS
Okay, I will check. Thanks!
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Tuesday, May 21st, 2024 AT 8:27 AM
Tiny
BEETLEPUNK21
  • MEMBER
  • 53 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?
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Tuesday, May 21st, 2024 AT 6:53 PM
Tiny
BEETLEPUNK21
  • MEMBER
  • 53 POSTS
Can I just disable the factory alarm system? Do you know what the procedure is for that?
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Wednesday, May 22nd, 2024 AT 8:13 AM
Tiny
KEN L
  • MASTER CERTIFIED MECHANIC
  • 43,662 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.
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Wednesday, May 22nd, 2024 AT 10:56 AM
Tiny
BEETLEPUNK21
  • MEMBER
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I went out to try and start the car and it was completely dead. So, there’s still a drain somewhere.
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Thursday, May 23rd, 2024 AT 1:54 PM
Tiny
BEETLEPUNK21
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  • 53 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.
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Friday, May 24th, 2024 AT 10:47 AM
Tiny
BEETLEPUNK21
  • MEMBER
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But there is still a drain somewhere, where should I look first?
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Friday, May 24th, 2024 AT 10:48 AM
Tiny
KEN L
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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.
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Friday, May 24th, 2024 AT 12:44 PM

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