Auto wipers and battery drain - Smart Car of America Forums : Smart Car Forum

**SmartDigger** · 09-27-2009, 07:21 PM

I have an 09 with the auto wipers and lights. Do you all think it would be possible to put the wiper/sensor line on a relay that would break the curcate if the key is turned off?

I do not have a wire diagram, so does anyone know if the sensor for the wipers can be put on a relay? the wire that would need the relay would be in the wire that hooks to the wiper selector switch that is closed when the selector is put in auto mode.

HerrZ · 09-27-2009, 08:21 PM

one comment: WHY?

**SmartDigger** · 09-27-2009, 08:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by HerrZ

one comment: WHY?

Well, If you leave the auto headlights in auto ( which I Do) everything is fine. if you leave the headlights set to auto and the wipers set to auto ( which happens if you are driving on a rainy day and forget to turn them off when you get home because it was not raining at the time )the battery slowly drains and the car will not start. This relay would only let the wipers stay set to auto if the key is on.

mvaldes · 09-27-2009, 08:58 PM

Funny, on my '08, I never use the auto headlights, but regularly forget to turn off the auto wipers. Sometimes they're on for days and I've never had a problem with battery drain, even before the 2.0 upgrade.

**SmartDigger** · 09-27-2009, 09:17 PM

My battery only goes down if both are left on. And the first time it happened was after a flash for the fuel gage 7/8 thing. I am in the process of installing charging ( Jumping) studs under the front hood.

HerrZ · 09-27-2009, 10:22 PM

i have both features in my car (comf package). i leave them in the auto position more often than not. I have let it sit for 4 months with both features on, and no problem with a drained battery.... and thats after the battery/bridge recall. i am assuming that because u have the '09, u have the 2.0 flash?

SmartJoeMN · 09-28-2009, 08:28 AM

I leave mine in auto every day, and have yet to have an issue with a dead battery.

sheureka · 09-28-2009, 08:37 AM

I always leave mine one - I've had the car now for 19 months and the only dead battery I've had was when I left the door open for two days. - sheureka

mark08859 · 09-28-2009, 08:56 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SmartDigger

Well, If you leave the auto headlights in auto ( which I Do) everything is fine. if you leave the headlights set to auto and the wipers set to auto ( which happens if you are driving on a rainy day and forget to turn them off when you get home because it was not raining at the time )the battery slowly drains and the car will not start. This relay would only let the wipers stay set to auto if the key is on.

A patch for the battery drain issue came out earlier this year. You should see your dealer.

wildman · 09-28-2009, 09:51 AM

Mine is early 09, I leave auto wipers on all the time, don't use the auto lights. Mine has sat for a couple of weeks at a time, and no dead battery.