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Mysterious Battery Drain on my 2020 Durango GT

0

Mike T. · rep 0 · May 25, 4:17 AM · 1 replies · solved · Question

Vehicle: 2020 Dodge Durango GT

I'm having a persistent and frustrating issue with my 2020 Dodge Durango GT – the battery keeps dying overnight. I've already replaced the battery twice in the last six months, thinking it was just a bad battery, but the problem persists. The alternator has been tested and confirmed to be charging correctly.

It really seems like something is draining power when the car is completely off. I've made sure all lights are off, doors are closed properly, and nothing is plugged into the accessory ports. This is becoming a major headache, especially on cold mornings when I need to get to work.

Are there any common culprits for parasitic draws on these 2020 Durango models? I'm looking for ideas on where to start troubleshooting before I have to take it in and pay for expensive diagnostics.

✓ Accepted solution

ClearTheCode Admin

ClearTheCode Team · rep 0 · May 25, 4:17 AM

0

ClearTheCode admin answer:

A parasitic battery drain on a modern vehicle like your 2020 Dodge Durango GT can be tricky to diagnose, as many modules remain active for a period after the vehicle is shut off. Here's a guide to understanding and tackling the issue:

  1. Understand Parasitic Draw: A small amount of draw is normal to maintain memory for modules (e.g., radio presets, clock). Excessive draw (typically anything over 50 milliamps after the vehicle has 'gone to sleep' for 15-30 minutes) indicates a problem.

  2. How to Test (Basic):

    • Ensure the vehicle is completely off, doors closed, hood open, and all accessories unplugged.
    • Disconnect the negative battery terminal.
    • Connect a multimeter in series between the negative battery post and the disconnected negative battery cable. Set the multimeter to measure amperage (A or mA).
    • Wait 15-30 minutes for all modules to power down. Note the reading. If it's consistently above 50mA, you have a drain.

  3. Common Causes for Dodge Durango:

    • Uconnect System: The infotainment system can sometimes fail to fully shut down, keeping modules awake.
    • Remote Start/Keyless Entry Module: A faulty module or antenna can cause a constant draw.
    • Body Control Module (BCM): The BCM controls many electrical functions; a failing BCM can keep systems active.
    • Faulty Relays: A stuck or failing relay (e.g., for the cooling fan, fuel pump, or ignition) can continuously draw power.
    • Aftermarket Accessories: Anything added after purchase (alarm, stereo, dash cam) can be a source if wired incorrectly.
    • Glove Box/Trunk Lights: Ensure these are turning off when closed.

  4. When to See a Shop:

    • If you're uncomfortable performing electrical tests yourself.
    • If the draw is significant and you can't isolate the circuit by pulling fuses (a common method after confirming a drain with a multimeter).
    • A professional can use advanced diagnostic tools to monitor module sleep states and pinpoint the exact component causing the excessive draw, which might not always throw an OBD-II code directly but could lead to low voltage codes (e.g., P0562 - System Voltage Low) if the battery gets too weak.
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