Electrical - Battery Discharges for No Reason
07-064December 22, 2007
Applies To:
2007 RDX w/Technology Package - From VIN 5J8TB185.7A000001 thru
5J8TB185.7A013757
Battery Discharges for No Apparent Reason
SYMPTOM
The battery goes dead or intermittently becomes discharged; normal troubleshooting does not find anything wrong with the battery.
PROBABLE CAUSE
A defect in the stereo amplifier may, very intermittently, cause it to stay on when the ignition switch is off. This rare condition would only affect RDX with Technology Package vehicles within the VIN range listed above.
CORRECTIVE ACTION
Do the diagnosis in this service bulletin. If you do not find a current draw, replace the stereo amplifier.
PARTS INFORMATION
Stereo Amplifier: P/N 39186-STK-A11
TOOL INFORMATION
Multimeter or Low-Current Clamp Meter:
(T/N FLU88, FLU175, or FLULH41A)
WARRANTY CLAIM INFORMATION
In warranty:
The normal warranty applies.
Failed Part: P/N 39186-STK-A11
Defect Code: 07201
Symptom Code: 07001
Template ID: 07-064A (Diagnosis only)
07-064B (Diagnosis and amplifier replacement)
Skill Level: Repair Technician
Out of warranty:
Any repair performed after warranty expiration may be eligible for goodwill consideration by the District Parts and Service Manager or your Zone Office. You must request consideration, and get a decision, before starting work.
BACKGROUND
The intermittent battery draw caused by the stereo amplifier would be present only if the audio system's Dolby PL (Prologic) II feature was on. (Dolby PL II creates multi-channel surround sound from a two-channel [stereo] signal. Dolby PL II can only be activated in CD, XM Radio, and AUX modes.)
Along with a discharged battery, seeing if Dolby PR II is on can indicate that the stereo amplifier is faulty. To see if Dolby PL II is on, do this:
^ Turn on the audio unit, and make sure you're in XM Radio mode.
^ Press the AUDIO button.
^ Push the interface selector down, then turn the interface dial to select SOUND, and press ENTER.
^ Turn the interface dial to DOLBY PLII, and see if Dolby PL II is set to ON or OFF. If it's ON, the possibility of a faulty stereo amplifier is increased. Go to DIAGNOSIS.
DIAGNOSIS
NOTE:
Steps 2 thru 6 are to ensure that all electrical items are off for the current draw test. Steps 7 thru 14 are the current draw test. If you find that the current draw is higher than 40 milliamps, it's not because of a faulty stereo amplifier.
1. Test the condition of the battery, and charge it if needed. Refer to Service Bulletin 88-016, Battery Test Procedure.
2. Turn off all electrical items, and remove the key from the ignition switch.
3. Open the hood. Make sure the tailgate and all the doors are closed.
4. Outside the vehicle, lock the doors with the keyless transmitter.
5. Push the hood latch closed. This arms the security system and allows electrical components to begin to go to sleep.
NOTE:
Don't forget to open the hood latch before you close the hood after the diagnosis.
6. Wait for 20 minutes to get all of the electrical system components into sleep mode. The 20-minute waiting time is very important for an accurate diagnosis.
^ If you're using a multi meter, go to step 7.
^ If you're using a low-current clamp-on meter, go to step 11.
7. Loosen, but don't remove, the negative cable on the battery.
8. Set the multimeter to mA (milliamps). Connect a pin-probe lead to the negative side and an alligator lead to the positive side.
9. Clamp the positive lead to the battery negative cable end. Press and hold the negative lead to the battery negative post.
10. Slide the battery's negative cable end up and over the meter's negative lead, and go to step 12.
11. Zero the meter, then clamp its lead around the negative battery cable with the arrow on the lead pointing toward the battery.
12. Read the meter.
Is the reading less than 40 milliamps?
Yes - The current draw is normal. If the battery was initially discharged and Dolby Prologic II was on, even if it's not on now, the stereo amplifier is causing an intermittent problem. Open the hood latch, disconnect the meter, and reconnect the battery (if needed). Then go to REPAIR PROCEDURE.
No - Go to step 13. If you are repeating steps 2 thru 12, go to step 14.
13. Disconnect the meter, and turn the ignition switch to ON (II). Repeat steps 2 thru 12.
14. Read the meter.
Is the reading less than 40 milliamps?
Yes - The current draw is normal. If the battery was initially discharged and Dolby Prologic II was on, even if it's not on now, the stereo amplifier could be causing an intermittent problem. Open the hood latch, disconnect the meter, and reconnect the battery (if needed). Then go to REPAIR PROCEDURE.
No - The current draw is not caused by the stereo amplifier. Open the hood latch, disconnect the meter, and reconnect the battery (if needed).Then continue with normal battery draw troubleshooting.
REPAIR PROCEDURE
Replace the stereo amplifier:
^ Refer to page 23-110 of the 07-08 HDX Service Manual, or
^ Online, enter keyword AMPL, and select Stereo Amplifier Removal/Installation (with Premium Audio System) from the list.
6. Wait for 20 minutes to get all of the electrical system components into sleep mode. The 20-minute waiting time is very important for an accurate diagnosis.
^ If you're using a multi meter, go to step 7.
^ If you're using a low-current clamp-on meter, go to step 11.
7. Loosen, but don't remove, the negative cable on the battery.
8. Set the multimeter to mA (milliamps). Connect a pin-probe lead to the negative side and an alligator lead to the positive side.
9. Clamp the positive lead to the battery negative cable end. Press and hold the negative lead to the battery negative post.
10. Slide the battery's negative cable end up and over the meter's negative lead, and go to step 12.
11. Zero the meter, then clamp its lead around the negative battery cable with the arrow on the lead pointing toward the battery.
12. Read the meter.
Is the reading less than 40 milliamps?
Yes - The current draw is normal. If the battery was initially discharged and Dolby Prologic II was on, even if it's not on now, the stereo amplifier is causing an intermittent problem. Open the hood latch, disconnect the meter, and reconnect the battery (if needed). Then go to REPAIR PROCEDURE.
No - Go to step 13. If you are repeating steps 2 thru 12, go to step 14.
13. Disconnect the meter, and turn the ignition switch to ON (II). Repeat steps 2 thru 12.
14. Read the meter.
Is the readhg less than 40 milliamps?
Yes - The current draw is normal. If the battery was initially discharged and Dolby Prologic II was on, even if it's not on now, the stereo amplifier could be causing an intermittent problem. Open the hood latch, disconnect the meter, and reconnect the battery (if needed). Then go to REPAIR PROCEDURE.
No - The current draw is not caused by the stereo amplifier. Open the hood latch, disconnect the meter, and reconnect the battery (if needed).Then continue with normal battery draw troubleshooting.
REPAIR PROCEDURE
Replace the stereo amplifier:
^ Refer to page 23-110 of the 07-08 HDX Service Manual, or
^ Online, enter keyword AMPL, and select Stereo Amplifier Removal/Installation (with Premium Audio System) from the list.
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