Parasitic Draw - Anti Theft

[montazuma]

Problem with a parasitic draw and I’m wondering if it’s the anti theft system. I just had a new stereo installed so that may be part of it. But I never noticed the red lock/car dash light before. When I lock the car now, that light starts flashing repeatedly about every 5 sec. That can’t be good for the battery. I’m wondering if a previous owner figured out how to turn this off and when the new stereo was installed it reset the system to on. Any thoughts?

Anyone know how to turn off the anti theft system so I could test the theory?

07, EL Limited

 

[bloodhound]

Problem with a parasitic draw and I’m wondering if it’s the anti theft system. I just had a new stereo installed so that may be part of it. But I never noticed the red lock/car dash light before. When I lock the car now, that light starts flashing repeatedly about every 5 sec. That can’t be good for the battery. I’m wondering if a previous owner figured out how to turn this off and when the new stereo was installed it reset the system to on. Any thoughts?

Anyone know how to turn off the anti theft system so I could test the theory?

07, EL Limited

Yours and every other one of similar years has the flashing led, that ain't it. I would highly suspect your stereo if that was done just prior to this issue. How did they do wiring for the constant battery and switched battery? There is no traditional switched battery feed on the harness. So if a proper adapter was not used to interface with the factory harness, I would suspect they did something weird wiring wise to make the stereo function, which is now drawing power all the time.

 

[montazuma]

Thanks for that insight. Interestingly the draw doesn’t seem to be consistent and I haven’t had a problem in a week or so. But if and when it comes back I’ll start with the stereo.

 

[BigOleFordFan]

If you mess with the Lock, the Lock will mess with you !

been there, done that, NEVER again....

 

[chuck s]

The "cigarette" power outlets are live all the time in my '07 and '17. Anything connected to yours?

Two way street. I now have a small solar battery charger plugged into the '17's second seat outlet which keeps the battery topped up even when the truck sits for a week or longer.

-- Chuck

 

[Adieu]

3rd gens have something parasitic for sure, the alarm or the remote or something will drain the battery if you don't drive it for more than a week.

I've owned 2 - an Expedition and a Gator L - and both did that.

 

[bloodhound]

Well, every vehicle has parasitic draw now. But if your battery is drained in a week there's a bigger issue with the battery or a more significant draw. I've parked my 2009 and then 2014 Expedition limited's at the airport for a week or more on many occasions. Never had any issue.

 

[OCScotty]

I need help with my 1998 Expedition