Battery drain due to removed antenna? - Toyota GR86, 86, FR-S and Subaru BRZ Forum & Owners Community

Eff86 · 01-26-2023, 08:59 AM

Hi all

New to this car... and because it is under a car cover, I removed the OEM antenna because it was getting bent.

Upon starting the car a few days later (with the antenna removed), the battery was completely DEAD.

Tried recharging it (with the antenna removed still) and an error indicated the battery won't hold its charge.

Could the removal of the OEM antenna have caused the drain and recharging error?

Thanks!

NoHaveMSG · 01-26-2023, 10:58 AM

no

JD001 · 01-26-2023, 12:54 PM

I would say "yes" as ET may have been trying hard to call home but failing just because some thoughtless person took away the antenna...

NoHaveMSG · 01-26-2023, 02:53 PM

I amended my previous response to..........

Eff86 · 01-27-2023, 01:28 AM

So, reading between the lines, the battery is fried.
I didn't receive or feel any probes so we can exclude aliens.
Thanks!

x808drifter · 01-27-2023, 05:49 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by NoHaveMSG

I amended my previous response to..........

Considering the "bending" of the OEM antenna. 110% correct.

Tcoat · 01-27-2023, 07:56 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Eff86

So, reading between the lines, the battery is fried.
I didn't receive or feel any probes so we can exclude aliens.
Thanks!

HMMMM, as your profile states location as "Earth" which should be presumed by anybody from Earth and you are very eager to disregard aliens I suspect that you yourself may be an alien.

WNDSRFR · 01-27-2023, 08:39 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Eff86

So, reading between the lines, the battery is fried.
I didn't receive or feel any probes so we can exclude aliens.
Thanks!

No the battery is not fried.
Just recharge it. If it won't take a charge then hook it up in parallel to a good battery and put it on trickle charge.

WNDSRFR · 01-27-2023, 10:03 AM

After you recharge the battery be sure to turn off your dome light.

NoHaveMSG · 01-27-2023, 11:10 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Eff86

So, reading between the lines, the battery is fried.
I didn't receive or feel any probes so we can exclude aliens.
Thanks!

Charge to full voltage. Have someone crank the car while you check voltage with a multimeter, voltage should drop out no more than 1.5-2 volts. If it drops out 2 or more the battery is on it's way out. Hold the gas pedal all the way down it won't start and will just crank. My guess is battery is likely on it's way out.

FR-S2GT86 · 01-27-2023, 11:14 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Eff86

Hi all

New to this car... and because it is under a car cover, I removed the OEM antenna because it was getting bent.

Upon starting the car a few days later (with the antenna removed), the battery was completely DEAD.

Tried recharging it (with the antenna removed still) and an error indicated the battery won't hold its charge.

Could the removal of the OEM antenna have caused the drain and recharging error?

Thanks!

My question would be:

Has there been any OTHER modifications or additions to the electrical system? Such as aftermarket stereo, alarm system, fancy under-dash lighting.

And as someone already mentioned, dome light possibly left on?

The antenna being removed would not cause a dead battery.

RZNT4R · 01-28-2023, 07:02 AM

Further:

Once you replace your failing battery, If you plan on having the car sit under a cover for extended periods of time, consider having a battery tender on the car while it sits. A hardwired NOCO 2D is a great option.

soundman98 · 01-28-2023, 08:12 AM

or unplug the battery. disadvantage is that you lose all your radio settings and the car needs to re-learn how to run.

JD001 · 01-28-2023, 09:29 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by WNDSRFR

After you recharge the battery be sure to turn off your dome light.

And, don't forget to stick the antenna back on as you don't want to run the battery down again...

01-26-2023, 08:59 AM	#1
Eff86 Junior Member Join Date: Jan 2023 Drives: GT86 Location: Earth Posts: 2 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts Mentioned: 0 Post(s) Tagged: 0 Thread(s)	Battery drain due to removed antenna? Hi all New to this car... and because it is under a car cover, I removed the OEM antenna because it was getting bent. Upon starting the car a few days later (with the antenna removed), the battery was completely DEAD. Tried recharging it (with the antenna removed still) and an error indicated the battery won't hold its charge. Could the removal of the OEM antenna have caused the drain and recharging error? Thanks!

01-26-2023, 12:54 PM	#3
JD001 Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2015 Drives: Subaru BRZ Location: UK Posts: 6,033 Thanks: 7,655 Thanked 6,191 Times in 3,477 Posts Mentioned: 25 Post(s) Tagged: 2 Thread(s)	I would say "yes" as ET may have been trying hard to call home but failing just because some thoughtless person took away the antenna... Last edited by JD001; 01-26-2023 at 03:36 PM.

01-28-2023, 08:12 AM	#13
soundman98 ProCrastinationConsultant Join Date: Sep 2013 Drives: '14 Ranger, '18 Tacoma 4Dr LB Location: chicago-ish Posts: 11,330 Thanks: 35,240 Thanked 13,673 Times in 6,781 Posts Mentioned: 98 Post(s) Tagged: 0 Thread(s)	or unplug the battery. disadvantage is that you lose all your radio settings and the car needs to re-learn how to run. __________________ "The time you enjoy wasting is not wasted time"

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01-27-2023, 01:28 AM	#5
Eff86 Junior Member Join Date: Jan 2023 Drives: GT86 Location: Earth Posts: 2 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts Mentioned: 0 Post(s) Tagged: 0 Thread(s)	So, reading between the lines, the battery is fried. I didn't receive or feel any probes so we can exclude aliens. Thanks!

01-27-2023, 10:03 AM	#9
WNDSRFR Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2014 Drives: FR-S,GTI Location: Cocoa, Florida Posts: 1,155 Thanks: 228 Thanked 824 Times in 419 Posts Mentioned: 13 Post(s) Tagged: 0 Thread(s)	After you recharge the battery be sure to turn off your dome light.

01-28-2023, 07:02 AM	#12
RZNT4R Professional Mechanic Join Date: Apr 2010 Drives: 2017 86 6MT Oceanic Location: Quebec, Canada Posts: 789 Thanks: 17 Thanked 633 Times in 371 Posts Mentioned: 12 Post(s) Tagged: 0 Thread(s)	Further: Once you replace your failing battery, If you plan on having the car sit under a cover for extended periods of time, consider having a battery tender on the car while it sits. A hardwired NOCO 2D is a great option.

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