2012 Auto Headlight Depleting Battery??

[lionellines]

I'm not sure, but it seems when the "AUTO" feature for the headlights is left on that the battery can be depleted. I can't pin it down to the "AUTO" feature, but battery discharge has happened a couple of times on our 2012 EX-L in the past 6 weeks when "AUTO" has been left on over night. The headlights DO turn off.

Anyone have a similar problem??

[vanz]

Hmm...I've never had that problem. It's been always on auto.

[Tuktanuk]

seems a bit odd to me as well. Mine has been on Auto since I got the car in January..... Did you add anything to the Car using constant power?

[lionellines]

No...nothing using constant power. Humm. COULD BE my wife leaving the rear door ajar. Humm. "Operator Error." Humm.

I will speak very softly about that possibility....

Thanks for your posts, gents. Appreciated.

[sleepeeboy]

I haven't had any battery issues either with "Auto" constantly set.

And I usually turn off all my interior lights and only use them when it's needed. It helps when doors aren't closed properly.

[Gravy]

I'm not sure, but it seems when the "AUTO" feature for the headlights is left on that the battery can be depleted. I can't pin it down to the "AUTO" feature, but battery discharge has happened a couple of times on our 2012 EX-L in the past 6 weeks when "AUTO" has been left on over night. The headlights DO turn off.

Anyone have a similar problem??

I had this problem with a Ford which was only driven every few days or so. Yes the Auto position does cause a parasitic drain. Stopped using the Auto headlights and no more problems with the battery going down.

This is from my 2010 CR-V Owners Manual (p.78)

"Do not leave the light switch in
AUTO if you will not be driving the
vehicle for an extended period (a
week or more). You should also turn
off the lights if you plan to leave the
engine idling or off for a long time."

I would imagine the Owners Manual for the 2012 contains the same or something similar.

[lionellines]

I had this problem with a Ford which was only driven every few days or so. Yes the Auto position does cause a parasitic drain. Stopped using the Auto headlights and no more problems with the battery going down.

This is from my 2010 CR-V Owners Manual (p.78)

"Do not leave the light switch in
AUTO if you will not be driving the
vehicle for an extended period (a
week or more). You should also turn
off the lights if you plan to leave the
engine idling or off for a long time."

I would imagine the Owners Manual for the 2012 contains the same or something similar.

Thanks...VERY enlightening. I've turned off all the interior lights and the "AUTO" feature is now off, too. We'll see how it goes now.

[Tuktanuk]

The lights work on a relay. No power to the relay!? no power to the switches. I don't buy the "parasitic" drain thing one bit.... Possibly on a Ford as I am not sure how their systems are but Honda is pretty much cut and dry here. It's a pain to find constant power in the fuse panel. My gut is telling me that something else is causing it because even if it was "parasitic drain"; you would not notice any Battery drain over night. Seems like a light was left on/ door ajar or possibly the Trunk light was switched to On.

[Gravy]

The lights work on a relay. No power to the relay!? no power to the switches. I don't buy the "parasitic" drain thing one bit.... Possibly on a Ford as I am not sure how their systems are but Honda is pretty much cut and dry here. It's a pain to find constant power in the fuse panel. My gut is telling me that something else is causing it because even if it was "parasitic drain"; you would not notice any Battery drain over night. Seems like a light was left on/ door ajar or possibly the Trunk light was switched to On.

Why would Honda instruct not to leave the Auto switch activated if you do not intend to use the car for an extended period? I don't know specifically how Honda wires it but my best guess is the Headlight switch is always hot because you can turn the lights on without the key so when you leave it in Auto position power is applied to the light sensor on the dash that works a relay to turn on the lights when it gets dark. That would be the parasitic draw. Why don't they just wire it in such a fashion so as to cut the power to the sensor when the key is off? I don't know. Maybe the sensor needs to be powered or it losses calibration or maybe Honda figures the extra cost is not warranted. Again I see no reason for Honda to warn not to leave the switch in the Auto position for an extended period if it wasnt drawing power.

[Tuktanuk]

The only line item I see in the 12 Manual states: Do not leave the lights on with the car off; it will discharge the battery. By that statement, they meant turned on with the car off.(page 109)

The Auto Light feature makes no such statements (page 110):


lionellines said that this was over night; which is why I doubt parasitic drain. if the Battery is being depleted over night; you might want to have the Dealer run some tests on your battery. It is possible that one or more of the cells internally are shorted. Beyond a Battery issue; if you have not added anything that would cause this amount of drain, I'm at a loss. Parasitic drain is a very small constant draw of power and is also known as Vampire power draw. Think about indicator lights on power strips.... even with everything turned off; there is still a power draw for the small LED indicator. Vampire power would not drain the Battery overnight. Are you sure it was drained? Did you need to jump the car to start it? How often have people left the ceiling lights on in a car and been fine the next day starting the car!?! and for a brand new car; it's even less of an issue.....