I've got a 2004 Maxima. Last weekend, the battery died while sitting over night. The battery is ~3 months old and checks out as good as does the alternator.

The draw is .5 amps. I've been through every fuse with a multimeter and even checked the hot wire on the alternator. The draw never dropped. I have no idea where else to look.

Then, after driving the car for three days, it threw code P1065. (To drive the car I am disconnecting the negative terminal when I park for long periods.) I know the code means: Engine Control Module (ECM) back-up Random Memory Access (RAM) system does not function properly.

The dealer said the ECM's in that model hardly ever goes out. And it may be another issue causing the code. I should find the draw before spending $892 on an ECM from the dealer. Advance has a BWD Body Control Module for ~$80 though I'm not positive it's the same part. Dealer also said the ECM is plug-and-play.

The only change I've made when installing the battery is putting on a new positive marine terminal that was a bit too small because that's all the parts store had. So I had to stretch it a bit but that was fine for two months before the draw. I can't see how the terminal would matter since it is clean and snug.

Any ideas?

Thanks,
Mark

 

Going to have to check the power and ground wire to the ECM. The code is basically saying it could be shorted at those wires.

 

I will check those out today, thanks.

 

I checked the positive wire to the ECM and it is getting power with the car off. I grounded the text light to the ground wire next to the ECM. I'm not sure how to check the ECM ground though.

Anyone?