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My 2023 Lucid Air Pure keeps dying - Suspecting 12V battery drain?

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Mike T. · rep 0 · May 25, 5:17 AM · 1 replies · solved · Question

Vehicle: 2023 Lucid Air Pure

I'm having a really annoying problem with my 2023 Lucid Air Pure. For the past month, if I leave the car sitting for more than 24-48 hours, the 12V battery seems to die. I come out to a completely dead car – no lights, no response from the key fob, nothing.

I've had to jump-start it several times, and once it's running, everything seems fine. The main high-voltage battery is always charged, so it's definitely the 12V system. I'm suspecting a parasitic drain, but I have no idea where to even start looking. Has anyone else dealt with this on their Lucid? What was the cause?

✓ Accepted solution

ClearTheCode Admin

ClearTheCode Team · rep 0 · May 25, 5:17 AM

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ClearTheCode admin answer:

An intermittent 12V battery drain on an EV like your 2023 Lucid Air Pure can be incredibly frustrating, as the 12V battery is crucial for starting the car's auxiliary systems and 'waking up' the high-voltage system. Here's what you should consider:

  1. Test the 12V Battery:
    • Even in a newer vehicle, a defective 12V battery can occur. Have the battery professionally tested (load test) to ensure it's holding a charge properly. A failing battery might show good voltage but fail under load.
  2. Check Battery Terminals:
    • Ensure the 12V battery terminals are clean, tight, and free of corrosion. A loose or corroded connection can prevent proper charging or discharge prematurely.
  3. Note Recent Changes:
    • Did you recently install any aftermarket accessories (dash cam, radar detector, new lighting)? These are common culprits for parasitic drains if not wired correctly.

Common Causes of Parasitic Drain:

  • Faulty Modules: A control module (e.g., infotainment, telematics, security, ADAS) that fails to 'sleep' properly after the vehicle is turned off can continuously draw power.
  • Stuck Relays: A relay that remains in the 'on' position when it should be off can power a circuit unnecessarily.
  • Interior/Trunk Lights: Lights that remain on due to a faulty switch or sensor (e.g., trunk light not turning off when closed).
  • Aftermarket Accessories: Incorrectly wired accessories can bypass the vehicle's sleep mode.
  • Charging System Issue: While less common for a 12V drain, a fault in the DC-DC converter (which charges the 12V battery from the high-voltage battery) could lead to the 12V not being properly maintained.

Potential OBD Codes: Parasitic drains themselves rarely trigger a specific OBD-II code directly. However, the systems that are drawing power might log codes indicating a fault within that module. For example:

  • B-codes (Body Codes): Could point to issues with infotainment, security, or lighting modules.
  • U-codes (Network Communication Codes): If a module isn't properly shutting down, it might cause communication errors on the vehicle's network.

When to See a Shop: Diagnosing a parasitic drain can be time-consuming and requires specialized tools (multimeter, amp clamp) and knowledge of vehicle wiring diagrams. If you've ruled out the 12V battery itself and any obvious aftermarket accessories, it's highly recommended to take your Lucid Air Pure to an authorized service center. They can systematically test circuits for excessive draw, identify the faulty component, and resolve the issue without risking damage to your vehicle's complex electrical system.

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