[markmoloney]

2005 LT, with 4 month old Odyssy battery. Keeps draining if the bike is not used over a period of a week or so. Went out today and she was dead again. Measured the battery in the idle state and it read 11.4 volts. Turned the ignition on and it dropped to 10.75 which was not enough to turn the starter sufficiently to start the bike. I took all the fuses out one at a time whilst measuring the voltage across the battery and there was no change in the reading. Ideas?

 

[jers99lt]

Obviously there's something causing the drain. Turning the key too far counter clockwise, thus the parking lamp is lit? Do you have a farkle that's hot wired to the battery? Anything new added that draws current? Is this something new or did the 4 month old battery replace another that was worn out for the same reason? Short of measuring the current draw, that's all I can think of.

Jer

 

[Tom1200]

You could have a bad cell in the battery. It should read more then 12 volts. Take it out and charge it then have it tested at the auto store.

 

[BecketMa]

I believe your battery should be above 12.6 volts, just like a 6 volt battery should be above 6.3 volts.

If I remember Ohm's Law correctly:
V=IR
Voltage equals current times resistance
Voltage = AmpOhms

My guess is that your test assumed a current drain sufficient to drop the voltage by more than 1 volt.

You are probably looking for something with very low current drain and low resistance.

Something that draws a little or lower current as your parking light?

Bob 00LT

 

[LGW]

Something that draws a little or lower current as your parking light?

Bob 00LT

Perhaps the vanity light in the rear top case ?

Les

 

[dfinazzo]

A year ago I was experienceing the same thing - same battery - talked to the west coast distributor. Was trying to get a warranty for a battery that would not hold a charge.

He said take the battery out of the bike and place it on a car charger over night with a hard charge - nothing else connected the the battery. Next morning and for the past 12 monhts not a problem. Even left the bike out in St. George, UT for over a month and started up with no problems. .

 

[Silverhair]

I read somewhere that parasitic battery drainage is reduced (from the clock, etc) if you lock the fork with the key in the "off" position.

That said, I rarely leave my bike like this in the garage - I'm ususally on the center stand, and my voltage will drop from 12.6 ish, to 12.4 ish in 3 days. I ride almost daily, so this is not really an issue for me.

Conversely, drainage is much less with the fork locked in the "off" position.

 

[markmoloney]

No farkles added, and definately no vanity or parking lights left on. When the bike is given a trickle charge over a few days its fine and starts first time.


M

 

[mrbiker]

I've got the same bike (2005), the same battery (Odyssey) with exactly the same problem.

If it sits 1-3 days, it starts fine. After that, it gets dicey. 5-7 days, probably won't start.

I've got a Battery Tender which I connect if I'm not going to ride for more than a few days. It takes about 3-4 hours to get charged.

I'm planning on attacking this problem this weekend (I'm handy with a meter), so I'll let you know if I find anything.

I'll certainly try charging the battery off the bike. I have a 5 amp charger somewhere - I'll have to dig it up.

 

[stevea2980]

I have the same problem on my 99 with an Odyssey. The battery is 5 years old and I have been told they dont last much more than that.

Maybe the age of the battery is the common denominator here?

Thanks

Steve A

 

[ronnieds]

I have a 2 month old Odessy and it just sat for 3 days and would not start. Charged for 2 hours and worked fine. When I disconnect the battery and let the radio reset, which is often, I get a spark like something is connected. After it's connected my alarm beeps and is set. Could that be the drain? Maybe I didn't turn it all the way to lock the handlebars. Could that do it? That's the first time it has sat for that long and not been cranked. Kind of unexpected......

 

[markmoloney]

Right, I may have come across something suspicious associated with the drain. With everything turned off I heard a repeating whirring noise that lasted about 2 seconds and repeated every 15 seconds or so. It was not happening all the time incidentally. I tracked the sound down to the radio/single CD unit. It has no power on and no light coming from the CD unit but it sounded like it was trying to load a CD. Anyone experience this before or propose a solution to stop this happening. Incidentally in reply to a previous mails the battery is well under a year old.

 

[mtrevelino]

It is a known issue with the 1999 and 2000 models. Never heard of it happening with anything newer than that. The fix is to replace the radio unit. I hope that yours is still under warranty.

Turn the radio off before turning off the bike to see if it helps. Sometimes, turning the radio off with the ignition leaves power to it somehow.

Right, I may have come across something suspicious associated with the drain. With everything turned off I heard a repeating whirring noise that lasted about 2 seconds and repeated every 15 seconds or so. It was not happening all the time incidentally. I tracked the sound down to the radio/single CD unit. It has no power on and no light coming from the CD unit but it sounded like it was trying to load a CD. Anyone experience this before or propose a solution to stop this happening. Incidentally in reply to a previous mails the battery is well under a year old.

 

[Silverhair]

True on the radio. If I dont put the key in the "locked position," I can still operate the radio.

 

[dannyjvl]

I too have an 05 LT and have been experiencing the same problem for over 6 months. It started happening almost overnight. Took it to the dealer (under warranty) they said nothing wrong, get a new battery. I did get a new battery. Four days after not riding it new battery dead. Now of course bike is not under warranty. I checked all lights etc. but have been dumb founded. If anyone figures this out please reply.

 

[Tailwheel]

I have the same issue on my '05. It started a few months ago and it has greatly curbed my riding. I first thought it was the battery and was about to replace it when I started testing it and found the the battery was in good shape. Since then I have been disconecting the battery after every time I ride. I used a test light attached between the disconnected ground wire and the negative battery post. I then pulled each fuse under the seat one by one to see if I could find where the draw was coming from with no luck.
I have noticed that when I reconnect the battery the radio comes on for about 2 seconds (This is with the key switch off). The forward right speaker doesn't work when the system is on when the bike is running but when the bike is off and switches off I have heard static from the that speaker. Yesterday I put the bike on a charger with the battery connected and I heard feedback coming out of that speaker.
Today I plan to look for a fuse for the audio system so I can try to isolate that system. I feel that there is a relay that is shorting out and not alowing the system to operate properly. I'll post any of my findings.
Dave

 

[sydvicioustx]

I just had this happen to me yesterday. I ride an 05 and usually ride at least 2-3 days a week. I went to start her up yesterday morning for a Toy Run and DEAD! We hit some cold weather and I was sick last week and didn't start her for 7 days. However, I removed the CD Changer two weeks ago and installed the DICE unit. Haven't connected my IPOD yet. Could just the DICE unit pull any juice? Or does it have to have the IPOD connected to draw?

Went to the Int'l Motorcycle Show downtown last night and no problems except on the ride back in the dark I lost my dash lights for about 10 seconds. Kinda weird. Related?

 

[markmoloney]

Coincidentally I have a DICE fitted also. The plot thickens.

Mark

 

[Voyager]

I just had this happen to me yesterday. I ride an 05 and usually ride at least 2-3 days a week. I went to start her up yesterday morning for a Toy Run and DEAD! We hit some cold weather and I was sick last week and didn't start her for 7 days. However, I removed the CD Changer two weeks ago and installed the DICE unit. Haven't connected my IPOD yet. Could just the DICE unit pull any juice? Or does it have to have the IPOD connected to draw?

Went to the Int'l Motorcycle Show downtown last night and no problems except on the ride back in the dark I lost my dash lights for about 10 seconds. Kinda weird. Related?

What is a DICE unit?

Did you perhaps ride under a very bright street light? My thought is maybe you fooled the light sensor into thinking it was daylight again and turning off the dash lights momentarily.

 

[ronnieds]

I also have a Dice unit!!! It dosen't work most times but I think thats because of the radio not being worth a [email protected]*%.... I have mine with the key in the locked position and will see in just a little while if it will crank. I'll let you know later.