I've been using a OBD-II device that links with my phone (Vgate OBD-II WiFi enabled reader, with OBD Fusion iOS app) for the past 3 years. As those of us who have one know, they're invaluable to have.
I was tracing a no-start issue in my V70, and was checking for codes. Long story short: I left the OBD reader plugged in and it killed my battery. Battery was at 12.6volts before plugging it in, and had dropped to 11.1volts 10 hours later. Not sure if the WiFi readers (most Apple-compatible ones) draw more power than the bluetooth readers (most Android-compatible) or not, but I might as well have left my dome lights on with that kind of drain.
Just thought I'd give ya'll a heads up to make sure you don't leave it in! Anyone have any experience contradictory to this? It has only happened to me once.
And PS: traced the no-start issue to a fuel pump that went to Heaven. Waiting on parts now and working from home in the meantime.
OBD-II Device Warning
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benpineapple
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OBD-II Device Warning
2006 V50 T5 [190,xxxM]
2013 XC90 FWD [80,xxxM]
2001 V70 X/C AWD [sold at 120xxxM],1998 V70 AWD [RIP at 249,255M], 1990 240 [SOLD at 220xxxM]
2013 XC90 FWD [80,xxxM]
2001 V70 X/C AWD [sold at 120xxxM],1998 V70 AWD [RIP at 249,255M], 1990 240 [SOLD at 220xxxM]
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MrAl
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Hi there,
Oh yes, the OBDII connector has constant power doesnt it? I meant to take advantage of that with a meter built with a connector to meter the battery during starting. Didnt get to that yet
Since you reminded me with this other issue though, i'll have to get to it this week hopefully.
Good luck with your new Fuel Pump and getting your battery back up to speed.
Oh yes, the OBDII connector has constant power doesnt it? I meant to take advantage of that with a meter built with a connector to meter the battery during starting. Didnt get to that yet
Since you reminded me with this other issue though, i'll have to get to it this week hopefully.
Good luck with your new Fuel Pump and getting your battery back up to speed.
I’ve been driving a Volvo long before anyone ever paid me to drive one.
That's probably because I've been driving one since 2015 and nobody has offered to pay me yet.
1998 v70, non turbo, FWD, base model, on the road from April 2nd, 2015 to July 26, 2023.
That's probably because I've been driving one since 2015 and nobody has offered to pay me yet.
1998 v70, non turbo, FWD, base model, on the road from April 2nd, 2015 to July 26, 2023.
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abscate
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It would have to pull about 4 amps for 10 hours to take your battery to 50%
That's 50 watts of heat which would burn up your electronic widget.
Unless it somehow activates all the modules in the car, perhaps?
That's 50 watts of heat which would burn up your electronic widget.
Unless it somehow activates all the modules in the car, perhaps?
Empty Nester
A Captain in a Sea of Estrogen
1999-V70-T5M56 2005-V70-M56 1999-S70 VW T4 XC90-in-Red
Link to Maintenance record thread
A Captain in a Sea of Estrogen
1999-V70-T5M56 2005-V70-M56 1999-S70 VW T4 XC90-in-Red
Link to Maintenance record thread
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AKJeeper
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I'm not sure about a Vgate...but I left my OTC Genisys scan tool powered off, but plugged into the OBDII port in my '04 MINI Cooper S for two days (medical emergency made me drop everything I was doing). The battery in the car was drained almost completely flat from that. What happened was the Genisys had a bad NiCad battery in it, and was trying to charge through the OBDII port.
So I'd say there is a possibility that the battery could have been depleted by leaving the OBDII device plugged in. A good test would be to fully charge your battery, and see if you continue to have drain issues with nothing plugged into the OBDII port.
When you were diagnosing the no-start condition, is there a chance that the dome lights were left on, or the ignition switch left in the 'on' position for all or part of the 10 hours?
So I'd say there is a possibility that the battery could have been depleted by leaving the OBDII device plugged in. A good test would be to fully charge your battery, and see if you continue to have drain issues with nothing plugged into the OBDII port.
When you were diagnosing the no-start condition, is there a chance that the dome lights were left on, or the ignition switch left in the 'on' position for all or part of the 10 hours?
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