Battery drain, killing me
 

Ok we just bought a 2010 Ford Fusion for my daughter.
battery dead, replaced.
battery dead after 3 days.
I am MECP Certified Car Audio Electronics tech.
checked alternator voltage out, OK.
inline ampmeter diagnostic, amps upon shutting door and locking with key fob.
.5 amps, after couple minutes some module shuts down, amps dropped to .17-.19amps, after 5 min. another module shuts down, current now at .01amps(10 milliamps).
This should be fine. 10 milliamps.
The only thing I can think of is alternator has a dead spot and if resting at this spot at shut down drains battery. Also intermittent sticking relay, then with the 3 times i have tested was not stuck.
Or there is a sleeping module that is being woken up.
If i knew of a cheap amperage reading device that had long term data logging or PC logging interface that would help.

I have seen a posts with this issue when these cars were new, in where the dealer could not find the problem, and a FORD engineer was flown out, there was not a recap on what was found.

Any suggestions?
:confused:
Thanks guys CHEERS!

That sounds like an absolute nightmare. If you can send me your VIN number I would be happy to check it for TSB's relating to this problem.

Thanks i will get it when i get home and send it to you.

Jreeves16 ,
Yep, that sounds about right, they're still looking for the engineer, nowhere to be found.
Just kidding, but generally 50 milliamps is an accepted figure for everything off , parasitic drain.
If the vehicle coded key is in the range detection area it will wake the modules to prepare for operation. As an electronics specialist this should be right up your alley. Something you can try is to make sure the keys are far enough away from the vehicle when parked and sitting. Also there is always the remote possibility of another vehicles key causing the same problem.
Can you use your meter set to min/max and leave it connected after everything shuts down to see if that is what is happening? What do you think?

I have been out of the mobile electronics field for a few years( mechanical engineer now), but upon programming hundreds of remote starts to coded keys the range is extremely low usually less than a meter. this car is only one year older than the last cars I worked on in the past.
Setting the meter would be good, if mine has a min max for amps, but time frame would be even better, I am trying to find something for logging, its so simple someone has to have a cheap PC, USB logging meter.

the stereo was dead when we bought it, after removing it i found a penny inside, makes me wonder with CAN BUS running through everything, if it damaged another module. Even with the stereo unplugged when i press a number on the faceplate, a module awakens(.5 amps). this POS does have SYNC.
Stereo face plate/controls and stereo are separate. Luckily it isnt factory amplified or subwoofer so that takes that out of the equation.

If all else fails I can attach my meter, and rig up a webcam at the display, and setup a low quality possible time lapsed recording overnight. what a bunch of crap. but I know if i take it to the dealer it will cost hundreds and they will find nothing. In mobile electronics dealers would bring us extremely difficult electrical problems, that leaves me SOL, haha

Well i found a data logger last night for $100, not bad. it has USB and bluetooth to my ipad or Android device or Windows PC. Ill put that thing to work next weekend and try to figure this POS out.

In the mean time ill get that VIN.

That is awesome. Hopefully this thing can be figured out.

here is VIN, see what you can find.
VIN: 3fahp0ha2ar326854

Thanks CHEERS!

This is the only bit of information. I was able to find and it does not go in depth regarding the symptoms.


SSM 44966 - 2010 - 2012 Fusion, Milan, and MKZ Vehicles - Positive Battery Cable Lower Level Service Part Availability


For 2010-2012 Fusion, Milan, and MKZ vehicles a new Battery to Starter Motor Solenoid Cable has been released as a lower level service part. It is no longer necessary to order the complete battery cable assembly (14B060). Use part number AE5Z-14A411-L (http://www.lakelandfordparts.com/product/AE5Z14A411L) 3.0L engine equipped vehicles and AE5Z-14A411-J (http://www.lakelandfordparts.com/product/AE5Z14A411j) 3.5L and 2.5L engine equipped vehicles. Refer to Workshop Manual section 414-01 for proper removal and replacement procedures.

APPLICABLE VEHICLES
2010 - 2012 CAR: 00170 FUSION
2010 - 2011 CAR: 00171 MILAN
2010 - 2012 CAR: 00179 MKZ
2010 - 2012 CAR: DE FUSION/MILAN/MKZ (ZEPHYR)
2010 - 2012 CAR: DE FUSION/MILAN/MKZ (ZEPHYR)
2010 - 2011 CAR: DE FUSION/MILAN/MKZ (ZEPHYR)