There is a significant voltage drop across the large 80-amp EPS mega fuse. How can I convert this into amp-draw? It is a problem with the EPS that would be the most likely explanation of all the problems but when I found 12v on both sides of this fuse, I figured it was something else. I am currently going through all the fuses looking for any drop and soon I will get to the J-cases - which I have no idea and will just guess that touching the two silver things on the inside of them is the way to do this but who knows. It is the best kept secret on the internet.

 

@Trixie11 : You've got the Meter set on AMPs/Current (DC) ... with a scale up to 20A, right? You're looking for a significant drop in Current when you pull each Fuse.

 

That is precisely what I did for the amp-draw test. I have moved on to the voltage-drop test. It is likely that either the ABS module or the EPS module or both are bad. I am pretty much at the point of giving up. The original reason I started this internet search and all the hundreds of hours online on every website and forum known to man was to find an answer/explanation/diagnosis/TSB so I wouldn't pay hundreds or thousands for what was a quick and easy $10 fix that anybody could do. I have not found that. So the end result is probably something I cannot repair myself anyway. This is just one of many many many ongoing disasters I am dealing with and I am dealing with all of them within parameters, restrictions and limitations that nobody would believe or understand. When I found the existence of "TerrainForum", I thought for sure someone would have had my exact issue and the solution I am searching for. That hasn't turned out to be the case.

 

For whatever reason, she seems to be resisting some educated advice. With this, she will likely be chasing down this problem for another 9 months. Human life can be created in a shorter period of time !

 

@Trixie11 : Did you ever say you were seeing Battery-related messages in your Cluster? Things like "BATTERY SAVER ACTIVE" ... "LOW BATTERY" ... or "SERVICE BATTERY CHARGING SYSTEM"?

Was just looking through your Owner's Manual searching for what your vehicle considers a "Normal Parasitic Load" ... so you can report back with what you're seeing on your vehicle (and how far off it might be). It's not mentioned anywhere in the Owner's Manual, unfortunately!

There's also mention of the Electric Power Management (EPM) System (you had called it "EPS"??) ... where Voltage is constantly adjusted based on what the System thinks the current State of Charge is. This thing can actually increase Engine Idle to get more power out of the Alternator, or even turn OFF functions to save the Battery ("Battery Saver")! I didn't realize such a function existed! But I would think the only way it might damage your Battery is to inadvertently allow the Alternator to overcharge it ... (kind of like a bad Voltage Regulator) ... if it's even capable of that! Without my Shop Manuals handy, I don't know where it's located, or how to test it (or if this is a "Dealer-only" item ... it may very well be). Maybe someone else here can chime in with more information?

Also, in the Owner's Manual, there was a reference to the Ignition being left in the ACC/ACCESSORY or ON/RUN Position to kill the Battery. Now, I don't believe it's possible to leave the Ignition in either of these states with the Key removed, but maybe there's an internal issue with your Ignition Block that somehow makes this possible. This problem you're having is so weird that it wouldn't surprise me because it would be a "one-of-its-kind" failure. Maybe if you pull Mini-Fuse #32 ("Discrete Logic Ignition Switch") from the Passenger-Side Instrument Panel Fuse Block ... you might find a Current draw on that one ...

 

Trixie - any update to your issue. Or are you stuck someplace with a dead battery ?

 

I got tired of driving around the block for 15 minutes every day. I disconnected the battery 2 weeks ago and have been driving an unregistered, falling-apart 2001 Chevy Cavalier with 265k miles on it leaking power steering fluid everywhere. I wanted to see what would happen to the battery's voltage when disconnected from the car vs the rate at which is drained while connected. This is just one of hundreds of ongoing disasters I am dealing with right now. I can't afford to fix it, can't get to and from the dealer if I have to leave it there and since it is more than likely a bad module, I wouldn't be able to fix it myself anyway even if I could afford the parts and had the part with me. So yeah -pretty much sums up my whole life right now. I thought for sure I would find an explanation or some known problem with this make and model when I started doing internet research a year ago, but I have (to say the least) fully exhausted ALL information online about any related issue and found nothing. If I mess around with the car any more, I am just going to break things, cause more damage and make things worse. That is what happens with every problem I attempt to make progress on. This ranks about 30-ish on the list of nightmares I am involved with.

 

Well, if you get caught driving an unregistered vehicle, then you will have a new top priority to deal with.

I did ask you if you would tell us where you were located, and maybe someone from this forum would volunteer to help you out, but I guess you didn't like that.

It was also suggested that you get a battery tender to plug your vehicle into overnight, but you didn't like that either.

If you don't mind, maybe you could keep us posted of your progress, or lack of. This may be helpful to someone down the road.

Another possibility is to contact a local High School that may have a automotive shop class. You vehicle may be useful as a training exercise for students, and it may be done gratis.

While your solution may be a temporary fix, it may not be the most legal one.

Good luck.

Rit

 

You asked for an update. I gave you an update. It has nothing to do with what I "like". Desperate times call for desperate measures and what are options for one person are not options for everyone. I hope your life never gets as bad and out of control as mine is right now, but if it ever does maybe you will understand. I am the expert on my life. You are the expert on yours. Sometimes the only options available are all bad ones.

 

several have offered you help but you won't disclose a location so maybe someone close could come help you.i said i know i can fix it if you are close to paris ky but you repeatedly ignore the question of where you are located. i hope your bad luck turns around for you,i think most that are commenting are just trying to help.

 

Sometimes bad luck doesn't just appear out of nowhere. Meaning that you are allowing bad luck to enter your life by your actions. Sorry for not being kind to you, but many have offered to assist you, but you seem to avoid their help.

 

Try another auto parts store. No offense, but sounds like the one you went to saw you were a woman, and tried speaking gobbly hook because he didn't know anything. Where do you live ? Maybe someone on the forum is near enough to give you some free help.

It has nothing to do with her being a woman. Quit putting that in people's heads. I have been in the industry for years and we don't care if the customer is a woman at all. In fact, we usually try to take better care of them because we know they expect to be treated badly. What is more accurate is that these people are paid $10/hr and have very little training. Remember these are people working at a parts store. They are not trained mechanics.

 

Sorry, but I have seen and heard about many instances where a woman is taken advantage of with car problems.

 

I believe you have heard about it. I heard that people put razor blades in apples on Halloween. I believe it has happened as well especially back in the day. I don't believe it is common anymore and in my over 20 years in the business the only thing I have seen was people making fun of women for how they described the problems they are having or how "they don't take care of their cars". What I have seen a lot more of is explaining issues to a woman and them thinking that they are being taken advantage of because they are a woman. Going straight to this assumption is just perpetuating a stereotype that people working in shops are dishonest. This especially silly considering most men don't know anything about cars either. Especially if they are taking their car to a shop.

 

I have the same problem with my 2018 Terrain. My mechanic claims GMC admitted to an onboard computer which doesn’t shutdown and drains the battery.
I called GMC and they said they never heard of such a claim.

 

See my other threads about this. Have been dealing with this nightmare for almost 2 years now. GM dealer here said it was a bad ABS module and wanted $2000 to fix it. Took the fuse for that module out and battery drain stopped. Still wanting to find someone who can offer guidance on the bulletin about X411 connector. I find it hard to believe that a like-new, pristine, garage-kept, tenderly-driven Terrain that has 17k miles on it has a computer fail for no reason when water getting into a connector is infinitely more likely.

 

Yikes! Quite the ordeal. Have you had an independent garage (hopefully recommended highly by friends/ others in your area) give you a quote to replace the faulty module?

Perhaps in this case, with an ABS module failure being fairly rare, a used part from a car recycler (junkyard) might be a reasonable alternative?

 

If Your Terrain is equipped with an Electronic Rust Control Module, disconnect it, You will be surprised.
This was My Drain Problem, hence, two years forward, no more Battery Drain Problems

 

I am having the same issue with my 2018 Terrain! 😫😫 what is the end of the story? Anyone?

 

I had the same ongoing battery drain problem and I solved the issue by hit and miss. 0ne of those waste of money after market Rust Modules was installed on Our 2014, 3.4L Terrain prior to Our purchase in 2016. Since unplugging the Module in February 2021, Battery drain was solved and no battery boosting again plus Two Batteries. They’re a waste of money since between the Body and Chaise are Rubber Mounts which, of course, do not transfer any Electrical Current. This will solve this Issue and end Your Annoying Misery. This Module will be mounted in the area of the Driver’s Side of the Engine most likely on the top of the Black Fuse Box. Bruce From Hamilton

Bruce
Hamilton

 

Read my other threads. Been driving around for a year with the ABS fuse pulled out to keep the battery from dying. Still waiting to hear from someone who has fixed the problem I've had by repairing or replacing the x411 harness or connector. TSBs make it sound like that's what it is - dealer wants $2k for a new ABS module. Anyone? Have you fixed the "service power steering", BRAKE, Traction Control and ABS lights by addressing the X411 issue?

 

I feel your pain! I had a similar experience with my 2012 GMC 3.0L several years ago, had gone through 5 batteries in less than a year. All the test that you could possibly think off and even the dealership keeping my car for 3 days to test for parasitic power loss. I had a feeling that my problem was due to a positive power cable that was replaced months earlier by the dealer and after insisting to the mechanic to check the cable, they ended up finding out that the previous mechanic had installed the cable wrong to the starter. My particular cable has a guide pin that needs to be installed into a grove so that the ring makes a solid contact with the starter screw on the negative side post. The guide pin was not on the grove and it ended up arching causing the battery to drain in a matter of hours. Your particular issue may vary we’ll be a loose grounding somewhere.

 

yes, a loose ground was one of the first things I figured the dealer would suggest and try to track down. They didn't mention it. Just went straight to the "you need a new ABS module" for $2k and hope for the best. Sort of infuriating since I went to the GMC dealer even though I really didn't want to - precisely because I figured they would have the best shot at coming up with the right idea - since it is their vehicle. Can't trust anyone.