7L/T1 Touareg Battery Parasitic drain

Chasing down fairly severe battery drains on this 7L/T1 Touareg. This battery would be killed in a day or two and the battery tested out okay yet. Started out with an intermittent 2.5A draw, dropping to a 400mA, then with a little more work dropped to a 100mA. Its still a higher then VW spec of 40-50mA but with these large batteries it should be good for a few weeks of sitting.

[@umbrela_Corp]

Good to see people doing work on touaregs these days

[@scottl5000]

Yup... having this problem. I think it's a corroded button in the outside door handle. Doesn't work on driver side (or anywhere). Hoping not a messy kessy

[@maxthecaddy8451]

there's the problem its a BMW battery lol😂👍

[@Tools-nl8ri]

I think you didnt found out about Kessy module draining battery because you didn't lock the car with a fob. I did everythiong exactly the same way but did lock car with a fob and right away there was a huge drain every 20 seconds from the kessy module

[@JoshsJettas]

I hadn’t thought of that, I ended up rebuilding the kessy on this one

[@ascending74]

Great video thanks

[@miketravis4980]

If there's a draw on the ECM, what are the chances the vehicle isn't a total loss.. like I've been told.

[@JoshsJettas]

the engine control module/unit? if its believed its faulty it can get expensive to match/program to the kessy and keys due to the immobilizer. It is possible to delete the immobilizer in the new ecu but you'll likely get fault codes on the screen.

[@miketravis4980]

@Josh's Jetta's it's the access start control module. It all started when a mechanic accidentally killed the battery, jumped it, and it hasn't been the same since.

[@JoshsJettas]

That can be pricey, there’s a place in the US that rebuilds them

[@miketravis4980]

@Josh's Jetta's could you send to tue info on that place. I absolutely love my touareg so I'm going beyond what I probably should haha

[@jonathanbrand1270]

Really awesome video. Thank you

[@stefcamps2767]

good job thanks !

[@chasieg27]

Really appreciate this video, are the front doors the same? I looked into mine but couldnt find that connector. It may be hidden by my HVAC.

[@JoshsJettas]

I believe they're all the same

[@carsurvivalist]

They are further in and up slightly higher.

[@jrmauto2593]

Great video

[@Retiredkiwi]

updated -interesting about door lights, my newly bought 06 v8 killed battery twice in around 3 days sitting, so will definitely check those out. just ordered a $40 Bluetooth battery monitor, so i can watch voltage easily without needing to use a meter- update- like it, had for a while now, seems to only drop 1% per 2 days now, so no idea what caused the flat issues. It will be good to have a record of prior readings if it happens again. Intending to add an isolator as well, good to see someone else put it where i was thinking. Currently sorting all my many vacuum leaks as well, going to use refrigeration copper tube to replace the cracking hard plastic rubbish(codes for lean both banks, vacuum brakes, evap etc), also has the seized intake manifold flaps, so is definitely a project car, but price was right. update - Got lean both banks again, so ordered new fuel filters for both of the, under rear seat , each side of tank pumps after seeing, and reading comments on a youtube google result for fuel issues(kzbin.info/www/bejne/aIPHZHmspJatjdU ) , suspect never changed in her 220km either, so best to have a look, (starved fuel pumps could easily burn out as well, imo ) so if going to that much trouble, it would be silly not to fit replacements. will also look at pcv and check for vacuum leaks on intake/maf etc + still getting occasional vacuum brake code as well. Have seen 13.5lts/100kms once @ 100kph, but averaging 16.8 mostly rural, if my lead gumboots are left at home, otherwise 20/100 is real easy, (but she goes surprisingly nice for her weight). ps, -my 97 discovery v8, drank a bit more driven similarly. Just noticed mention of swirl flap delete kits, might be the way to go for those.

[@JoshsJettas]

The kessy is a somewhat common issue on these as well causing a drain, check for open antenna codes (I’ll put a link at the bottom). The disconnect is handy if it’s going to be sitting for extended periods of time but make sure it’s a quality one as they can be a source of high resistance. I’ve just unbolted the ground point on mine a few times during back packing trips but that requires a ratchet and socket to be with you. The hard plastic lines suck on these, I’ve got poor power brake assist I’m assuming from a cracked line in the wiper cowl, just another thing to add to the list. kzbin.info/www/bejne/goDGdqWOedSImNE

[@Retiredkiwi]

@@JoshsJettas Mine had nasty grabbing brakes, at very little pedal pressure. But now i have patched/repaired temporarily all the leaks under bonnet(still have a tiny vacuum loss somewhere- need to check at brake booster next), brakes feel much better and more controllable, unsure why? - Does vacuum pump work for braking, and was it perhaps running flat out before. Found a sensor by master cylinder just hanging by its wires, found its "Power Brake Booster Vacuum Sensor Part Number: 7E0907643", so will have to remove ecu and find where its supposed to be fitted below it(on a vacuum hose i think) and check hoses at same time. Weird brakes work fine, and no codes, but may be cruise control related, as before fixing leaks, using it was throwing check engine/vacuum codes, but not tried it since. Thanks for link. Found most manuals via club touareg, for 03-17 models - 7L,7L6,7LA,7P,7P5,7P6 cardiagn.com/2010-2015-vw-touareg-type-7p-service-repair-information-wiring-diagram/ Not found which, if any cover the cruise control yet, nor searching google. (wanting a schematic and layout and/or parts list) Ps, i disconnected vacuum hose from manifold, and blew into it, with soapy water on everything, and watched for bubbles, one leak was crack in middle of a hose, not at a connection. after fixing all seen, i sucked on it to see if it would hold the vacuum, much better but still loses it quite quickly, hence decided to replace all of them eventually.

[@ajnanyc]

​@@JoshsJettas I've seen people hook up solar chargers directly to their batteries to maintain a constant charge while parked for long periods. I ended up replacing all the brittle plastic vacuum lines with different sized fuel hoses. 17887 - Brake Boost Vacuum System error is now gone. Test the line that goes from the vacuum pump near the front left fender before going through the hassle of removing wipers.

[@JoshsJettas]

@@ajnanyc yeah this one sat a lot I believe, but the drain was higher then the solar panel output so it’d help but wouldn’t keep it charged. I’ll have to check mine, I’ve got a few things I want to do to it here shortly.

[@t_prey]

Very good vid Josh! I am sitting in the same boat. Battery drain has brought me here (suspect Kessy), vacuum leaks from brittle lines (been there done that), fuel pump, oh, and not to forget clogged moon roof drains (and discovered to my disbelief drain outlets on the read axle blocked with substantial paper clips!!...1st owner had her always VW garaged). 2008 4.2 FSI owned by a German fella located on a small island in the Caribbean. Had imported her from Fla in 2011. Since she (and me) survived hurricane Irma in 2017 with bruises and scratches I decided to keep her to the very end.

[@ciN95]

Got a new battery in my Touareg and it was dead the next day, clicking under engine every 15-20 seconds. No idea what can drain an entire full battery in a few hours and no idea how to find out.

[@JoshsJettas]

You’d be surprised at the draw controllers will take, and how little it needs to drain before it’s a “dead” battery. Was the key left near the Touareg? Sounds like the body control module wasn’t going to sleep possibly from faulty kessy sensors?

[@them-mrtoko73]

Hey , did you find out what was the problem? same here

[@ciN95]

@@them-mrtoko73 No I just remove the 7.5 fuse on the drivers side and replace it before starting the car everytime I go to drive it or stop for the day

[@DonikaDermendzhieva]

I have the exact same issue, please can you let us know how you resolved it? I hear a relay kind of ticking sound from behind the break and gas pedals every 1s! Gets more rapid if I flick the headlights switch on.

[@ciN95]

@@DonikaDermendzhieva I just have to pull out a fuse every time I park the car and put it back in in the morning. Otherwise it dies every night due to the clicking.