2019 Ford Ranger battery dies after Radio install.

[Danny_mata21]

Any help is appreciated!
I have a 2019 Ford Ranger that can’t last more than a day without dying on me. We installed and aftermarket radio and attempted to keep the factory backup camera. We used a 12v to 6v step down converter for the camera and everything works perfectly however, after going more than a day without driving the truck the battery dies.
when I jump the vehicle the car electronics start right up when I connect the jumper cables. When the car is on, the multimeter reads 15.8 v so I assume that the alternator is working just fine. I have even put a new battery in the truck.
I have done a parasitic drawtest To the best of my ability and I can’t find any draws. Keep in mind I am a novice with car electronics.
I should add that I even disconnected the radio for about 3 weeks and the truck continued to die. I had 0 problems before this install. Any ideas of what it could be?

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[RedlandRanger]

Any help is appreciated!
I have a 2019 Ford Ranger that can’t last more than a day without dying on me. We installed and aftermarket radio and attempted to keep the factory backup camera. We used a 12v to 6v step down converter for the camera and everything works perfectly however, after going more than a day without driving the truck the battery dies.
when I jump the vehicle the car electronics start right up when I connect the jumper cables. When the car is on, the multimeter reads 15.8 v so I assume that the alternator is working just fine. I have even put a new battery in the truck.
I have done a parasitic drawtest To the best of my ability and I can’t find any draws. Keep in mind I am a novice with car electronics.
I should add that I even disconnected the radio for about 3 weeks and the truck continued to die. I had 0 problems before this install. Any ideas of what it could be?

My first guess would be something with the camera. Maybe that 12v-6v stepdown converter? You said you disconnected the radio and it still happens. What happens if you also disconnect the camera and that converter?

That is a total guess but seems relatively easy to try.

 

[Danny_mata21]

My first guess would be something with the camera. Maybe that 12v-6v stepdown converter? You said you disconnected the radio and it still happens. What happens if you also disconnect the camera and that converter?

That is a total guess but seems relatively easy to try.

It was all disconnected. The first time I installed it was without the step down. I disconnected the camera and radio for about 3 weeks and my car continued to die after a full day without driving. So we decided to install the step down converter and the issue remains. I’m exhausted already. I’m taking it to Ford on Tuesday but I feel like they will completely disregard any real issues knowing that we have an aftermarket install on the truck.

 

[RedlandRanger]

It was all disconnected. The first time I installed it was without the step down. I disconnected the camera and radio for about 3 weeks and my car continued to die after a full day without driving. So we decided to install the step down converter and the issue remains. I’m exhausted already. I’m taking it to Ford on Tuesday but I feel like they will completely disregard any real issues knowing that we have an aftermarket install on the truck.

Then the only other advice I can offer is to examine everything you changed - did you tie into any other wiring? Did you disconnect any connectors anywhere? (maybe they didn't get reconnected correctly/securely) Remove a ground? It would appear somdthing you did caused the problem. Maybe look for nicked wires as well. I hate wiring issues.....

 

[Danny_mata21]

Then the only other advice I can offer is to examine everything you changed - did you tie into any other wiring? Did you disconnect any connectors anywhere? (maybe they didn't get reconnected correctly/securely) Remove a ground? It would appear somdthing you did caused the problem. Maybe look for nicked wires as well. I hate wiring issues.....

In order to maintain the factory camera we had the pull pin 14 and 15 from the factory radio harness in order to pull the video feed for the backup camera. Aside from that, all wiring was done to the aftermarket radio harness. We have 3 grounds, 1 for the radio, 1 for the backup camera and 1 for the parking brake bypass. All connections are good and secure but I just can’t figure out what we did wrong. Could it be a software issue with the truck?

 

[RedlandRanger]

In order to maintain the factory camera we had the pull pin 14 and 15 from the factory radio harness in order to pull the video feed for the backup camera. Aside from that, all wiring was done to the aftermarket radio harness. We have 3 grounds, 1 for the radio, 1 for the backup camera and 1 for the parking brake bypass. All connections are good and secure but I just can’t figure out what we did wrong. Could it be a software issue with the truck?

It could absolutely be a software issue - or maybe not a bug, but something is different than the software is expecting and causing a problem. Since the code for the truck isn't available, you have no idea what it could be. You have passed my limited ability to debug it at this point. Good luck figuring out what it is - it may be a tough one.

The dealer may or may not be helpful, depending on what kind of "technician" they have. Too many these days are more parts changers and if the computer can't tell them what it wrong, they have no idea what to do. True troubleshooting is becoming a rarer and rarer skill these days. When you can find a good diagnostician, they are worth their weight in gold. I'm amazed at how quickly a skilled person can track something down.

 

[Danny_mata21]

It could absolutely be a software issue - or maybe not a bug, but something is different than the software is expecting and causing a problem. Since the code for the truck isn't available, you have no idea what it could be. You have passed my limited ability to debug it at this point. Good luck figuring out what it is - it may be a tough one.

The dealer may or may not be helpful, depending on what kind of "technician" they have. Too many these days are more parts changers and if the computer can't tell them what it wrong, they have no idea what to do. True troubleshooting is becoming a rarer and rarer skill these days. When you can find a good diagnostician, they are worth their weight in gold. I'm amazed at how quickly a skilled person can track something down.

Well I really appreciate the help! Stay healthy and take care. I will continue to update as I continue troubleshooting.

 

[cfhgarza]

Are you saying everything turns on before you turn the key?

Can you let us know what radio, harness/adapter etc you used

Have you tried going back to stock? Seems like something you added is the problem but maybe it's a coincidence.

 

[cfhgarza]

Here's a quick reference so you can double check your wiring

 

[Danny_mata21]

Are you saying everything turns on before you turn the key?

Can you let us know what radio, harness/adapter etc you used

Have you tried going back to stock? Seems like something you added is the problem but maybe it's a coincidence.

Nothing turns on until I turn the key so that’s good. Everything functions the way it’s supposed to. I just can’t figure out what went wrong.
Here are the steps we took to get where we are at.
1. the parking brake bypass needed to be installed to enable settings manipulation on the head unit.
2. The 12v step down was installed to maintain the factory camera. In order to use the factory rearview we pulled pin 14 and 15 from the factory harness to receive video feed from the factory camera.
3. The mini USB adapter was used to maintain the factory usb under the radio. This also enables the apple car play on the head unit.
4. To use the dash kit we had to remove one of the motherboards on the factory setup (as instructed) to swap out the the top half of the dash kit.

we did run into one issue where the head unit remained on after the truck was turned off so we ran the accessory wire and tapped into a fuse in order for the radio to only receive power when the truck turned on and off.
here are the items used to complete this.
-Alpine iLX- w650
-Axxess AXTC-FD2 Wiring Interface
-Metra 99-5857B Dash Kit
-MicroBypass Parking Brake Override Bypass for Alpine
-AXXESS 12-Volt to 6-Volt Step-Down Converter
-Metra AX-USB-MINIB USB to MINI B Adaptor Cable

 

[cfhgarza]

I'm actually familiar with that radio and Access interfaces. I have that radio in my work car and used access in the past. I also used a PB bypass.

I have a couple thoughts.
You said using the red 12v accessory wire from the Axxess AXTC-FD2 results in the radio staying on. Seems like the axxess doesn't know when to trim on/aff. In my experience the "auto learn" from the access is not great. When I used it in my old Ram 1500 it took me about 25 tries to work correctly. I would try to force it to re-learn. Make sure to update it using a PC and USB cable

Did you install an external amp? If so make sure the remote wire is installed correctly and turning the amp off

 

[Danny_mata21]

I'm actually familiar with that radio and Access interfaces. I have that radio in my work car and used access in the past. I also used a PB bypass.

I have a couple thoughts.
You said using the red 12v accessory wire from the Axxess AXTC-FD2 results in the radio staying on. Seems like the axxess doesn't know when to trim on/aff. In my experience the "auto learn" from the access is not great. When I used it in my old Ram 1500 it took me about 25 tries to work correctly. I would try to force it to re-learn. Make sure to update it using a PC and USB cable

Did you install an external amp? If so make sure the remote wire is installed correctly and turning the amp off

There is no amp connected. Just a straight swap of head units. When you say “25 times to make it work” what exactly would you do? And how do I attempt to update the access box?

 

[cfhgarza]

To update you have to download the app and then connect to your PC. Looks like there is also an smartphone app but I didn't use it. https://axxessinterfaces.com/resources/updater-software

I would try the update first. To get it to program I had to keep forcing the manual reprogram procedure that's in the included instructions. I can't remember for sure but I had to hold the button on it till the LED flashed or something.

 

[D Fresh]

This is why you don't swap head units on modern vehicles.

And I REALLY don't see the point if using factory speakers.

Go back to stock, remove ALL the stuff you put in. Truck will be fine.

 

[Danny_mata21]

This is why you don't swap head units on modern vehicles.

And I REALLY don't see the point if using factory speakers.

Go back to stock, remove ALL the stuff you put in. Truck will be fine.

Appreciate the insight and it will definitely be my fallback but I’m going to try and see this one through.

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