What is a car without a battery? It is what enables the electrical parts of the car to function. With a long time of use, a car battery can become weak and suddenly die. The battery can also die when something drains it.
Therefore, can a car battery die with an interlock? What should you do if your car battery dies with an interlock?
Can a Car Battery Die with an Interlock?
Yes, a car battery can die even if you have an ignition interlock device (IID) installed but that does not mean that the interlock caused the battery to die because the ignition interlock device does not have a direct impact on the car’s battery.
If your car battery dies while using an interlock, it could be due to other factors, such as leaving accessories or lights on in the car when it’s not running or if the battery itself is old and no longer holds a charge.
What Happens if a Car Battery Dies with Interlock?
If your car battery died with interlock, it can lead to several consequences and challenges such as:
- Inability to Start the Vehicle: When the car battery dies, it won’t have enough power to start the vehicle, and the IID won’t function either because the IID requires power to operate and record data.
- It Can Lead to a Failed Breath Test: In some cases, the IID may enter a lockout period if it detects repeated failed breath tests or other violations. During this time, you won’t be able to start your vehicle, even if you have a new or charged battery.
- Violation of Program Requirements: Depending on your jurisdiction and the requirements of your IID program, having a dead battery and not being able to provide breath samples as required could be considered a violation of the program’s terms.
- It Can Lead to Administrative Penalties: If you fail to comply with the IID program’s requirements, it could result in administrative penalties, such as extended IID installation periods, increased reporting or service fees, or even legal consequences.
- You May Have to Tow the Car: You will likely need to have the car towed to a service station to recharge or replace the battery, resulting in additional costs.
To avoid these issues, it’s important to take care of your car’s battery and follow the maintenance guidelines provided by the IID manufacturer and your program administrator.
Regularly check the battery’s health, charge, and replace it as needed to ensure the IID functions correctly and to avoid program violations.
What to Do When Car Battery Die With Interlock
Here are what to do when your car battery dies with interlock:
1. Recharge the Battery
If your car battery dies with an interlock, you can just jump-start the car or charge the battery using jumper cables connected to another vehicle. You can also use a Jumpstarter power bank if you have one.
2. Replace the Battery
If the battery is old or no longer holds a charge, you may need to replace it. You can purchase another battery for a replacement. Replacing the battery will solve the problem. The benefits of having a new battery is enormous.
3. Follow IID Procedures
After charging or replacing the battery, power up your vehicle and allow the IID to initialize. It may require you to perform a startup test to ensure the device is functioning correctly.
You can provide the required breath samples to the IID to demonstrate that you are not under the influence of alcohol.
4. Contact Your Program Administrator
If the IID enters a lockout or registers any violations due to the dead battery, get in touch with your program administrator to explain the situation and seek guidance on how to resolve the issue.
Depending on your program’s rules and regulations, you might need to visit a service center to have the device checked and recalibrated.
5. Prevent Future Battery Issues
You should check the condition of your car battery regularly to avoid future problems. This may involve routine maintenance, ensuring the battery is fully charged, and replacing it when necessary.
Be mindful of not leaving lights or accessories on when the vehicle is not running to prevent unnecessary battery drain.
6. Comply with Program Requirements
Endeavor to always follow the requirements of your IID program to avoid any legal or administrative consequences for non-compliance.
Be that as it may, what to do when a car battery dies with an interlock varies depending on your location, the details of your IID program, and the device’s manufacturer. Therefore, you must keep communication lines open with your program administrator.
Does an Interlock Drain the Car Battery?
No, interlock devices cannot drain the car’s battery when it’s not in use because they are designed to draw a minimal amount of power from the vehicle’s battery to operate properly.
However, there are some exceptions to this. Some situations can cause an interlock to drain a car battery. Such situations are:
- When You Have a Weak/Old Battery: If your car’s battery is already weak, low or old, the minimal power draw of the interlock device may be more noticeable and could contribute to the battery draining
- When the Interlock is not Installed or Wired Properly: If the interlock device is not properly installed or there is a problem with its wiring, it could lead to increased power consumption, which might affect the car’s battery.
- When the Car is not Used for a Long Time: If you do not use the vehicle for an extended period without warming the car to recharge the battery, any power draw, no matter how small, can eventually lead to a drained battery. This can happen with or without an interlock device.
Therefore, the impact of an interlock device on a car’s battery is minimal when it is functioning properly and the battery is in good condition.
However, if you suspect that the interlock device is causing issues with your car’s battery, it’s a good idea to have it inspected by a qualified technician to ensure it’s properly installed and functioning as it should.
Conclusion
Car batteries can die with interlock, when that happens, you can easily charge or replace the battery to be able to activate the interlock.
Like any other vehicle, it’s important to maintain your car’s battery and electrical system to avoid unexpected battery failures. If you suspect your battery is failing, have it replaced to ensure your ignition interlock device functions correctly.
