PO500 story continues with new twist

[jr1under]

The timing of both of us having the same problem has me thinking they’re sending destroy signals over the cell network lol

Good thing they're too old to have an internet connection to collude over.

As the GEM is inaccessible(to me), I've tried to prove it's not the problem but the randomness of the codes points right back to it. Like most of the others, the P0500 came and went. The only consistency has been a B1323-Door Ajar Warning Lamp circuit failure even though there are none of the symptoms normally associated with that code. I pulled and checked all six door latch assemblies and their door ajar sensors, everything looked and tested ok.

I wonder if the persistent codes are just debris from a GEM crash and, if so, what's causing it? It could be that the GEM itself is damaged or it could be resetting after a voltage drop or it could be something else. As usual, I have more questions than answers.

 

[Billme]

Good thing they're too old to have an internet connection to collude over.

As the GEM is inaccessible(to me), I've tried to prove it's not the problem but the randomness of the codes points right back to it. Like most of the others, the P0500 came and went. The only consistency has been a B1323-Door Ajar Warning Lamp circuit failure even though there are none of the symptoms normally associated with that code. I pulled and checked all six door latch assemblies and their door ajar sensors, everything looked and tested ok.

I wonder if the persistent codes are just debris from a GEM crash and, if so, what's causing it? It could be that the GEM itself is damaged or it could be resetting after a voltage drop or it could be something else. As usual, I have more questions than answers.

I’m testing for a voltage drop when I let it sit for a day next.. my last two codes were low voltage, and of course the P500.. I guess we’ll eventually get it.. I was thinking back when all this started, and it’s when I had my alternator over hauled…I currently have it parked out side for the last month to see if I find any leaks.. So far, none has showed up..

 

[jr1under]

I’m testing for a voltage drop when I let it sit for a day next.. my last two codes were low voltage, and of course the P500.

If mine sits 3-4 days, the battery will fade from 12.5V to as low as 12.2V. Haven't tested it for longer than that but I think that's when the low voltage code shows up along with the always-present door ajar code. And the voltage code persists even when the battery gets back to 12.5V.

Maybe cranking at 12.2V can brown out the GEM and cause it to reset? But even if true, that still circles back to the question of what's draining a less than one year-old battery.

 

[Billme]

If mine sits 3-4 days, the battery will fade from 12.5V to as low as 12.2V. Haven't tested it for longer than that but I think that's when the low voltage code shows up along with the always-present door ajar code. And the voltage code persists even when the battery gets back to 12.5V.

Maybe cranking at 12.2V can brown out the GEM and cause it to reset? But even if true, that still circles back to the question of what's draining a less than one year-old battery.

Wow, we are on the same track, this is nuts.. Clear your codes, then unhook your battery.. Grok said this makes sure the Gem clears its memory…I have the same problem with battery drain all of sudden.. The new switch allowed me to bump the rear wiper motor.. It’s locked up.. The other item is side rear view mirror on the passenger side.. My body to engine ground is not in the original place..I put it in the list to check..
I think you are on to something.. Maybe it’s time to get one of those tic tok tools to find these problems lol

 

[Billme]

Even though it’s cold, my battery was 11.55 hummm
I let it run and the alternator was pumping out 14.5..
Rest state is 12.6, but now I’m unplugging a phone charger that has a led light in it to see if that’s whats doing all this. It’s on all the time. The battery is coming up on 3 yrs..

 

[jr1under]

Even though it’s cold, my battery was 11.55 hummm
I let it run and the alternator was pumping out 14.5..
Rest state is 12.6, but now I’m unplugging a phone charger that has a led light in it to see if that’s whats doing all this. It’s on all the time. The battery is coming up on 3 yrs..

Yeah, hmmm is right, 11.55 is bordering on the starter click zone. There has to be more than a single LED draining it like that.

I did follow grok's advice to the point where it concluded the villain was GEM and the next step was easy - pop off the kick panel to inspect and clean two connectors. And it was easy...to pop off the kick panel. However, there was nothing behind it I'm willing to dig into especially after following your experiences.

Now I'm wondering if the GEM is actually ok but occasionally gets browned out and reset. That could explain the random, flaky codes but otoh I trust the low battery code because the meter confirms it. So what about the persistent door ajar circuit fail? Is it possible for a circuit to be in some sort of fail mode that causes a power leak yet all its components work correctly?

 

[Billme]

Is it possible for a circuit to be in some sort of fail mode that causes a power leak yet all its components work correctly?

I guess it is, I just don’t know..
I found a half a volt pull where the rear wiper was trying to park, all this time, so like you, I pulled fuse 12, and got that out of the way.. I have two more known problems with the power mirrors and the passenger window stuck closed.. Whatever the remaining drain, it’s not much..
Ill check the voltage tomorrow and see where that leads..
I’m now getting solid PO 500, so I’m going to change it and the connector this time.. It’s still in warranty.. If I get another low voltage code, I’m going to change the battery..
Grok is hot and heavy on the VSS connection..
Oh well, it’s keeping me busy hehe
Did you say that you physically looked at the door switch?

 

[jr1under]

The constant P0500...are you getting a CEL with that?

After sitting for 4-5 days and getting down to 11.7V, I decided to ignore the door ajar code and focus on the low voltage, find out what's really causing it. Except that it's 27* and snowing, it went easier than expected. The meter showed about a 0.25A draw so I just started pulling fuses from the inside panel. Turns out circuits 14 and 15 are accounting for 90+% of the drain. What to do about that is the next question.

i pulled out all six door latch assemblies so I could remove the switches for inspection.

 

[Billme]

Turns out circuits 14 and 15 are accounting for 90+% of the drain. What to do about that is the next question.

Those carry multiple circuits as well, I would look at the listings for what might have their own circuit under the hood, and get as many as you can isolated..
No, I still didn’t get a CEL on the P.O. 500 I meant solid as in every time I run a code test it’s there, and by itself many times now.. By pulling #12 under the hood stopped the low voltage for that session.. I haven’t went back yet to check voltage, because it’s too dang cold lol