99 RX300 AWD with 120K
The car failed to start on the first attemp but did start on the second attemp with more cranks than usual. I checked the following:
Battery voltage -12.2V (engine off)
alternator output - 14.0 V. (engine on)
Parasitic current - 0.45 A (disconnect the battery cable from the Negative post and measure current between the post and the cable with all lights/doors/accessories off)
I thought the battery is dead after 6.5 years but also suspect there is an excessive parasitic drain.
Recharged the battery overnight using 2A slow charge. Still didn't hold charge for a couple of days. Went to the corner Advance Auto Parts' store and the clerk did a test and told me it's very very dead. Replaced the battery with Advance Auto Parts' Auto Craft Silver battery. Now because I am afraid the 0.45A parasitic current will drain the battery gradually if we don't drive it everyday, I have to disconnect the negative cable battery when we are not driving it! So I am having a 10mm box wrench with my key now!
Checked the fuse box, if I disconnect the DOME fuse, current drops to 0.22A. If I disconnect the SHORT fuse, current drops to 0.01A, which I think should be normal.
Does anyone know what's the factory spec for the parasitic current? Any idea which circuit connects to the above two fuses and which could be the culprit? Also when I connect the battery cable, I can always hear the A/C air flow control door unit is busy rotating. If I switch the mode from HEAD or HEAD/BODY to FOOT or FOOT/WINDSHIELD. The rotating noise went away. Wonder if this could be the source of the power leadk? All the accesories are OFF when the noise occurs immediately after I turn the keys to ON in the ignition switch.
Any experience with these symptoms are highly appreciated.
Thanks!