Battery drain by after-market remote starter

[moonbayb]

I just tried doing a search in this forum, but could not find my problem, and also need to say that I did not know much about working on cars.

I have a 2003 TOYOTA 4RUNNER SR5 V6 4X4 in which I had an automotive stereo and alarm company install a remote starter/alarm system a couple of years ago (I can't find my paperwork for the model). Since then, I've had to replace my battery 4 times because they test dead (the starter tested ok). I did take it back to the company and the guys there could not locate the problem. They suggested either a trickle charger or solar panel, but I do not have a secure place to hook up my trickle charger and my truck does not have an always-on outlet. Full disclosure, since I retired, and especially during the COVID-19 pandemic, the truck sits as I do not drive much. Also, the battery is too heavy for me to take out and trickle charge in my basement.

My question is, is there a heavy-duty battery that will withstand the remote starter leeching? I am willing to spend more for it within reason. If not, is there a mod I could have done to alleviate the problem?

Thank you in advance

 

[riceandpho]

if the truck sits that long and not driven much, the battery would be low, i would suspect the start kill relay is working correctly if installed right, the alarm/remote start still need some power to make it all work.


depending on how old your battery is, it might be low or a dead cell.

the newer alarm system is nicer, has a voltage sense, if it goes below a certain voltage, it just turn off a few things.

try to manully lock the truck up and let it sit with no alarm activated, see if that helps. you should be able to still remote start.

 

[Seymore Butts]

The only "mod" is to install a battery cutoff switch and use it after parking the truck. The downside is that all your radio presets will be wiped out and your driver window, rear hatch window, and sunroof will have to be put through the reset cycle to learn their closed and open positions. All your trip odometer and MPG data will be wiped as well.

Personally, I'd find a trusted auto electrical guy to tear out the remote starter and restore the wiring to OEM quality condition. I would not trust the techs at the car accessory store to properly restore wiring.

 

[mysticz]

I had the same issue with my security system with remote start but my battery would just drain down but never completely die. I started using a Noco trickle charger and no more problems with battery drain.

 

[stephan07]

This is a real PITA with Toyota remote start

In NE, in the cold winter months I hit Hawaii for 2+ weeks. Every time I com back my upgraded odyssey battery is dead, from the remote start.

Not worth the effort.