2003 Honda Pilot - battery dies

Lori A. Campoli wrote:
> I have a 2003 Honda Pilot w/ 15K miles. For the third time, the battery has
> died on me after the car sits for a couple days with an interior light left
> on.
> Is it a feature that interior lights do not automatically shut off after a
> certain amount of time? Is this supposed to happen?
> Otherwise, I am very happy w/ the car.
> thx, LAC
>
===================

Check if the light in the glove box is shining on the owner's manual.

'Curly'

Gordon McGrew ) writes:
> On Mon, 29 Nov 2004 02:50:02 GMT, "Lori A. Campoli"
> > wrote:
>
>>I have a 2003 Honda Pilot w/ 15K miles. For the third time, the battery has
>>died on me after the car sits for a couple days with an interior light left
>>on.
>>Is it a feature that interior lights do not automatically shut off after a
>>certain amount of time? Is this supposed to happen?
>>Otherwise, I am very happy w/ the car.
>>thx, LAC
>>
>
> Traditionally the interior light is controlled by a simple, dumb
> switch so it doesn't turn itself off. Some newer cars may have such a
> feature - consult your owner's manual. Since it is running down the
> battery, it could be assumed that your car doesn't have this feature.
>
> I would think that a relatively new battery could handle a couple days
> with an interior light on. But if the light is particularly bright or
> the battery unusually weak, it might be drained.
>
>
As well as my Honda, I have a 2000 Ford Focus. It has remarkable smarts
built into the electrical system, including a timer that will shut off
the interior light if it is left on. This is separate from the timer
that leaves the light on when you turn the ignition off, or unlock the
doors with the remote control. So it is indeed possible. It makes so much
sense that I expect all cars will have this in a few years.


I also had a Mazda 626 a few years back that had lights in the ceiling,
the doors and under the dash. If a door wasn't quite closed, it would
drain the battery in a few hours. I learned to be very certain that the
doors were properly closed.

Dan

(This account is not used for email.)

Gordon McGrew ) writes:
> On Mon, 29 Nov 2004 02:50:02 GMT, "Lori A. Campoli"
> > wrote:
>
>>I have a 2003 Honda Pilot w/ 15K miles. For the third time, the battery has
>>died on me after the car sits for a couple days with an interior light left
>>on.
>>Is it a feature that interior lights do not automatically shut off after a
>>certain amount of time? Is this supposed to happen?
>>Otherwise, I am very happy w/ the car.
>>thx, LAC
>>
>
> Traditionally the interior light is controlled by a simple, dumb
> switch so it doesn't turn itself off. Some newer cars may have such a
> feature - consult your owner's manual. Since it is running down the
> battery, it could be assumed that your car doesn't have this feature.
>
> I would think that a relatively new battery could handle a couple days
> with an interior light on. But if the light is particularly bright or
> the battery unusually weak, it might be drained.
>
>
As well as my Honda, I have a 2000 Ford Focus. It has remarkable smarts
built into the electrical system, including a timer that will shut off
the interior light if it is left on. This is separate from the timer
that leaves the light on when you turn the ignition off, or unlock the
doors with the remote control. So it is indeed possible. It makes so much
sense that I expect all cars will have this in a few years.


I also had a Mazda 626 a few years back that had lights in the ceiling,
the doors and under the dash. If a door wasn't quite closed, it would
drain the battery in a few hours. I learned to be very certain that the
doors were properly closed.

Dan

(This account is not used for email.)