A 2020 Toyota Camry battery drain problem is a pain to deal with. The last thing you want is to be stranded on the road because your battery died – and you cannot pump more juice on it.
But there are a number of factors that can be causing your battery to get drained… Even when you have your car turned off.
This is why it is a good idea to know what these factors are and what you can do to prevent them from happening.
Let us talk about these causes and some effective solutions to help you deal with it.
Causes of 2020 Toyota Camry Battery Drain Problem
Whether your car is electric, hybrid, diesel, or petrol, there are many reasons why the battery may get drained. For instance, when you keep your car parked for a long period, the battery can definitely lose its charge.
Even when you have the engine turned off, there are several features that may run in the background that can drain the battery. These include power locks, power doors, clock, security alarm, as well as presets for the seat positions, and so on.
All of these elements are responsible for using up the battery’s charge, so over time, it can drain the power.
Although there is a minimal power loss on a daily basis, how much discharge happens may be quite significant when you have your car just parked for a long time. As a result, the battery will totally get discharged if you never charge it at all.
There are 8 reasons why you are experiencing a 2020 Toyota Camry battery drain problem. Here they are:
1. Car is not turned off properly
The most common reason for this battery drain problem is when you were unable to turn the car off correctly. For instance, you have the interior light switched on, or the headlights were turned on and you forgot to turn them off by accident.
With some cars, the lights automatically shut off when left for too long. Others send out a warning beep. Yet, many vehicles require manually turning the lights off.
So, if you fail to turn your car off properly and regularly, this can shorten the lifespan because of a constant drain. This is why it is very important to inspect all the lights and doors before leaving the car. Make sure that you have everything locked up and switched off to avoid the battery from getting drained.
2. Parasitic drain factors
What this means is that the battery keeps on draining even after you have parked your car. And what’s worse is that it involves an abnormal level of drainage. This usually happens when there is a faulty component in your vehicle that causes the drain. Perhaps there is an interior light or sensor that is not turned off. Hence, it continues to use power until you turn it off manually.
There are a few other faulty accessories such as a damaged computer module, glove box lights, relay switch, and several electrical components that are responsible for this issue. When you suspect a parasitic drain, be sure to get your mechanic to check the problem by doing a parasitic current draw inspection.
3. Faulty Alternator
Your alternator is what recharges the battery when in gear. It also provides a steady power flow to the different accessories. So, once the alternator diode is no longer in good condition and becomes defective, there are unusual noises to be heard, as well as flickering lights.
To make things worse, your battery will keep on draining and fail eventually once you start your vehicle. So, you will need to jump start your vehicle to make sure there is enough power generated to help you take it to the mechanic.
4. Worn Out Battery
Older batteries that are also worn out can begin causing issues the more you use your car. There may be corrosion or rust present, as well as a sharp decline in its performance. When you notice these things in the battery, then you should invest in a new one.
The best way to know for sure if your battery is in need of a replacement is by having a mechanic check it. Also, if you notice that the battery intermittently dies even after jump-starting it, then it is possible that it is already useless.
Generally, a battery’s average lifespan is 5 years. Yet, it also depends on a number of factors such as how often you use it and the strain it undergoes. So, it is important to keep an eye out for signs that you need to have it replaced to be certain.
5. Short trips
Your battery obtains power each time you start your vehicle. When you are on the road, there is the alternator that recharges your battery to supply it with the required amount once you have started your car.
Thus, short trips prevent your alternator from obtaining ample time for recharging your battery. This is why shorter trips are not quite ideal for the lifespan of your batteries.
6. Corrosion
There are negative and positive terminals in your car battery, and cables are attached to these. Prior to performing any maintenance work, you need to disconnect the terminals to avoid injury. You need to reconnect terminals correctly. Keep in mind that most batteries come with a minus and plus symbols to determine the terminals. Be sure to disconnect first the negative cable followed by the positive.
When you have loose cables, this discharges the battery. Among the signs that your cables are loose include problems with starting your car, hot ground wire cable, and flickering headlights. You can fix this issue by tightening and reinstalling the cable correctly. However, you should note that safe practices are important when manipulating electrical systems to avoid shock.
Rust or corrosion around your battery terminals can weaken the performance of your battery. This is why you should stay safe by cleaning the terminals correctly using a brush and some diluted baking soda. Follow this with petroleum jelly applied to the cables before reattaching them.
Read More: Camry Cigarette Lighter Not Working – Causes And Solutions To Do
Additional Details You Need To Know
With all of these things in mind, there are certain practices that can help you avoid battery drain problems with your Toyota Camry. For instance, drive your car as often as possible to make sure the alternator continues to do its job and prevent the battery from getting discharged completely. This also helps to lubricate the engine and fix flat spots as strain on the bottom of your tires is reduced.
Before you get out of the car, make sure that everything is switched off. The lights should be off, the phone charger and USB sockets must be off, and the headlights should never be left on for a long time when parked.
And lastly, be sure to inspect your battery regularly. Check for corrosion and loose connections, which can prevent your battery from charging and holding a charge.
By doing these steps, you can prevent experiencing a 2020 Toyota Camry battery drain problem and have more peace of mind when you drive.