Last year I started having a battery drain problem. If truck wasn't driven every 3-4 days, it wouldn't start. Either a portable jump starter or jump starting easily got it going. So I tried driving it some more but the problem would still occur at times. Battery & alternator always checked good at parts store; just supposed to drive it more. With the bad winter, it wasn't driven much at all so I wasn't surprised when it started happening again. Also had to have the battery replaced under warranty as it froze during the long bitter stretch of winter so I thought it might have also been a defect in the battery. During this time I was also having issues with air vents not always directing air flow correctly.
So after some more occurrences & frustration, I recently took it newer shop in town (shop had good reference) to look at both issues. They diagnosed the problem almost immediately. The aftermarket backup camera system installed last year (by another place) was drawing power. Draw was measured at 120-150 miliamp range with the truck key off. Shop also felt the issue with the air vents was due to the low battery issue; and that the system had to re-calibrate itself after each battery drain.

 

What vehicle is that exactly? Engine, transmission etc etc?

 

Should show in the signature for my posts. 2014 F250, Super Cab, Short Bed, 4wd, 6.2L.

 

And what if I or others have such so-called features disabled? Do we become mind readers?

Maybe show some courtesy and provide good information going forward!

 

What did you do to resolve the problem? Did you just remove the backup camera or did you do something else to allow you to keep the offending camera? I have a similar problem and I think it's due to an aftermarket stereo I installed that's Android and double-din with CarPlay.

 

Unplugged it at the screen connection and that solved the battery drain issue completely. Can still be used but plugging and unplugging every time is a pain. Only recently talked to the shop where it was installed and gave them the info from the mechanic that diagnosed the problem (been busy with other things so this was a lower priority). The system has been problematic from the beginning (issues with manufacturer and supplier, camera had to be replaced once, etc.) so the person I spoke with easily remembered that I've been in several times. Interestingly, he also said they now use a different brand and supplier. The shop is going to have a tech do some research on a different system and why it might be drawing power then get back with me.

 

Why would you disable the specifics????????? I wans't even aware that was an option.

 

Yea I dont know if you can or not but if on a phone they dont show up at least for me.
Dave -----

 

Most of the aftermarket backup cameras are pretty simple. "Most". Not all. The really simple ones get a signal from the reverse lamp circuit. This also serves as the power source. The positive line of the reverse light powers the camera, and powers whatever screen you're using. If the truck is not in reverse, the reverse lamps are not on, and there could be no way for it to draw power otherwise.

I was just wondering what kind of camera and radio combination you are using. Maybe it was the way that the shop installed the equipment. Perhaps they used a "constant on" circuit to power the camera, and used a different circuit to send a signal to the screen.

 

Camera system is Brand Motion; completely separate from the radio. Original installer switched the power source from constantly on to only being on when the key is on which solved that problem. Now I'm waiting for a new wiring harness to correct an issue with a pinched wire causing the screen to intermittently lose signal from the camera.

 

I have a 22 Hybrid Platinum and I have the same battery drain issue. I don't like it that the dealer says "you need to drive it on the highway more" all the time. That's none of their business how and where I drive it, this is why I bought new. I'm assuming by the comments this isn't an exclusive issue with Hybrids but all. I was going to trade it for a 5.0 but I guess I'll have the same issue with that as well. Is this somehow tied to the auto power off function? I know at night, or in bad weather, this would be a hard drain with the accesories all going and it shuts off stealing the voltage for the things still running.
My question is this. Is it realistic to think that by disabling the shut off function, the battery will always be getting a charge? I know they say it doesn't affect the engine being started and shutdown but what about the electrical system? Starting is the biggest draw on the power reserves, and if I'm seeing it happen 10 to 20 times in one city drive could I be losing more charge than I'm putting back? Is there a tune that will disable this function? I find it a pain in the rear at the very least. Makes me wish I bought a used truck instead.

I just found an artivcle that basically says that I'm screwed. The Hybrid battery charges the 2 12 volt batteries instead of an alternator. In a round about way it sounds like the Hybrid battery isn't properly charging the 12 volt ones, but the dealership says it's all good, drive more! I'm beginning to rethink the EV mentality in a negative way.

 

You will find ALL new vehicles, if they are left sitting more than a month or two, will be dead when you go out to start them. Where I work we have seasonal cycles every year, and any vehicle left for a few months over the winter will be dead when we go to start it.

I do not know what your situation is, but we have a toyota that we plug into a battery tender like the ones you can get at Walmart. It's mounted in the engine compartment and the plug hangs out just as if it was a diesel. When it's parked, it's plugged in. We never have any trouble with that one, and it's a hybrid. One of the upper management drives that one, so it gets special treatment.

 

ok, so im having the same issue, mine is a 2022 f150 with only 6000, drive it back and fourth everyday, but never know if im going to wake up to a dead battery in the morning, its doesnt make any sence to me, once we put a new battery in it, it started having all these issues..
but my cameras are fine,
did this accually cure your problem from the start

 

I would suspect any aftermarket device added to the truck. Simply disconnect the wiring and see if the problem goes away.

 

if this wasn;t a ROUSH 80,000 dollar truck i would consider that,
thank you