Everybody wants a high-quality auto security system that can protect their vehicles. The installation of an anti-theft system is also quite popular today. But many people are curious: Will anti-theft light drain battery?
Well, you should not worry about this. These systems were created by automakers to use the least amount of power. So there is very little likelihood that an anti-theft light will drain your battery.
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The Anti-Theft Light Is Blinking
Many automobile alarm systems have a feature that flashes a light to warn you when your alarm is armed. This feature is also known as the alarm indication. However, one of the two transmitters may have disabled the alarm if the light stops blinking or turns on and stays on.
When you arm your system, if the anti-theft light does not flash, a dead key fob transmitter battery may be to blame. It’s also possible that the key fob has stopped working.
Try utilizing the concealed key to unlock the door if you are unable to locate your remote inside the car. If you don’t have the key, call a dealer or locksmith to help you get into your automobile.
What Does that Mean if The Anti-Theft Light Is on In the Dash?
When you turn the key to the on position, the anti-theft light in the dash illuminates for three seconds before turning off. It indicates an issue with the anti-theft system if it stays on or flashes. A faulty key or body control module could cause the issue. The BCM is designed to communicate with the keys through the ignition switch.
The exclusive ignition key, engine control module (ECM), and instrument cluster are all utilized by the anti-theft system (IPC). The transceiver in the steering column will receive a signal when someone tries to start the car without the right key. This signal is sent to the engine control module, which then compares it to the ignition key identification code (IKIC) stored in memory.
The vehicle operates normally if the IKIC matches. If there isn’t a match, an alarm sounds and the engine can’t start until the ECM finds a genuine IKIC or until a short while has passed.
Will Anti-Theft Light Drain Battery?
As was previously noted, a running vehicle cannot have the alarm system activated. Therefore, alarm systems typically operate when the automobile is off.
The underlying idea is that cars are more likely to be broken into when the owner or driver isn’t around. These solutions are intended to operate only when the battery is not functioning for the reasons listed above.
Now that you understand how these technologies operate let’s discuss whether or not they can deplete your car’s battery. The anti-theft device uses as low as 2mAmps to flash the light.
A 12-volt automobile battery in perfect condition has a 48 amp-hour capacity. 1000mAmps is equal to 1 amp.
Calculations will show you that it will take a very long time for the anti-theft light to exhaust all the energy in a battery. And even if it did, it wouldn’t happen right away.
Some Automotive Security Systems Drain the Battery
Although most factory-installed auto alarm systems won’t cause the battery to discharge quickly, it’s not true for aftermarket alarms. This is particularly true for alarms that have an “on” setting for when the car is stopped, and the ignition is off. These systems directly connect the battery to the alarm, which gradually drains the battery. This may eventually result in the battery failing.
It typically occurs later in a battery’s lifespan. The ability of a battery to keep a charge declines with age. A dead battery will almost certainly result from connecting one of these devices to a vehicle with an outdated battery.
In rare instances, the alarm system may have been mistakenly connected to the system. This might potentially cause the battery to deplete.
Can an Anti-Theft Light Drain an Old Battery?
If your battery is old, it should not surprise you if it starts to lose power quickly. On the contrary, a fading battery indicates that a replacement should be made as soon as possible.
Old batteries can be used with conventional alarm systems, and they rarely completely drain the power. However, a car with a dead battery should never have a powerful alarm system installed.
Should the alarm go off, these modern alarm systems with GPS tracking and other cutting-edge capabilities will drain your old battery.
Can I Stop My Alarm from Draining the Battery in My Car?
You may take a few precautions to stop an alarm from draining your car’s battery. Unfortunately, one of these actions is lowering the alarm’s sensitivity.
Any exposure to a highly sensitive alarm will cause it to sound, even in the presence of strong wind or loud noises. Reduce the sensitivity of your anti-theft system if you reside in a busy urban area to avoid unwarranted alarms.
The other option is to spend money on a battery maintainer. When you park your car for an extended time, whether traveling on vacation or for another reason, this device trickles charges and is really helpful.
Additionally, it’s a good idea to always park your car close to you so that you can hear the anti-theft alarm when it sounds.
The only way to turn off your alarm is to lock your car with the keys. A poor battery may be drained if the alarm is activated when you are far away.
Hi there! I’m Naomi O’Colman. I’ve got years of experience working at an auto repair shop here in Texas under my belt. On top of that, ever since I was a kid I’ve been passionate about the auto industry. Since I’ve joined the team at automotivegearz.com I’ve been enthusiastically sharing my passion and insights with my readers. I’m dedicated to delivering high quality content and helping you stay up to date with the latest automotive trends and products out there!
