Voltage drain on 2001 Boxster

[daniel Tebrugge]

I have a 2001 Boxster. If I don't start it and let it run for a while every day, it won't start without charging the battery. I've replaced the ignition switch, after researching other threads on voltage drains. I've used a multimeter to check the ohms on each fuse, the only one that showed any was C3. I removed it,  the drain was still present. My car insurance requires a device to be plugged into the OBD port, I unplugged it, and the amperage drain dropped from 400 milliamps to about 40. I waited two days without starting it, instead of the usual one,  and it started. I know the sample size is small, but it's the first positive sign I've seen so far. I have a similar device in use on two other cars, and their batteries aren't impacted. Does anyone have a suggestion of what I should try next?

[JFP in PA]

5 hours ago, daniel Tebrugge said:

I have a 2001 Boxster. If I don't start it and let it run for a while every day, it won't start without charging the battery. I've replaced the ignition switch, after researching other threads on voltage drains. I've used a multimeter to check the ohms on each fuse, the only one that showed any was C3. I removed it,  the drain was still present. My car insurance requires a device to be plugged into the OBD port, I unplugged it, and the amperage drain dropped from 400 milliamps to about 40. I waited two days without starting it, instead of the usual one,  and it started. I know the sample size is small, but it's the first positive sign I've seen so far. I have a similar device in use on two other cars, and their batteries aren't impacted. Does anyone have a suggestion of what I should try next?

 

Sure: Throw away the insurance device.  Besides killing your battery, anytime you drive the car anywhere near like it was meant to be driven, they will raise your rates because you over accelerated, over braked, or cornered too quickly.  These things are "big brother" in action...…….

[daniel Tebrugge]

I'd hate to drop this insurance company.  I pay $9.90 a month, plus 1.6 cents a mile.  I know I've exceeded posted speed limits numerous times in the Boxster, and have yet to be dinged.  I've had the car and the monitoring device for 13 months now, and just dealing with the voltage drain for most of that time. I'm retired, and it isn't my every day car.  I love it.  I'm also afraid I don't have the skill to drive it in the manner it was actually meant to be driven.  I'd be afraid I'd kill myself, or even worse, total the car. ☺️

 

I'm hoping the device is faulty, I've reached out to the insurance company to see if they'll send me another one.  I hoped posting here, someone else would have stumbled across something similar.

[JFP in PA]

1 hour ago, daniel Tebrugge said:

I'd hate to drop this insurance company.  I pay $9.90 a month, plus 1.6 cents a mile.  I know I've exceeded posted speed limits numerous times in the Boxster, and have yet to be dinged.  I've had the car and the monitoring device for 13 months now, and just dealing with the voltage drain for most of that time. I'm retired, and it isn't my every day car.  I love it.  I'm also afraid I don't have the skill to drive it in the manner it was actually meant to be driven.  I'd be afraid I'd kill myself, or even worse, total the car. ☺️

 

I'm hoping the device is faulty, I've reached out to the insurance company to see if they'll send me another one.  I hoped posting here, someone else would have stumbled across something similar.

 

You’ve answered your own question:  You unplugged the device and the drain went away; it is the device.

 

As for living under the thumb of the insurance company, that is your call.........