Crown Victoria Battery Drain

I'm experiencing an issue with my 2001 Ford Crown Victoria, gasoline engine. The battery is frequently heavily discharged. Symptoms include a speedometer error message, weak or flickering lights, and a low voltage error code. Starting the engine is difficult due to a weak battery. I've checked the battery terminals for corrosion and ensured they're properly tightened. Could a defective battery sensor be causing this parasitic draw?

4 comment(s)

Sounds familiar. I had a similar problem with my 2012 Volvo S60. Same symptoms: battery draining overnight, weird electrical glitches. Have you checked the battery sensor specifically? It's like a faulty thermostat in your house, except for electricity.

When you had a similar problem, was it definitely the battery sensor, or could it have been something else? What troubleshooting steps did you take before pinpointing the sensor? Trying to avoid unnecessary parts replacement.

In my case, it was indeed the battery sensor. The shop confirmed it with diagnostics. Before that, I checked for obvious shorts and parasitic draws, but the sensor was the smoking gun. Given your symptoms, it's worth having it checked professionally to be sure. Might save you some grief.

Thanks for the insight. I took your advice and had the car diagnosed. Turns out it was a defective battery sensor, just as suspected. Repair cost 315€. Appreciate the help!

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