Could Draw Tite Brake Controller Cause Vehicle Battery to Drain

Updated 02/11/2025 | Published 04/16/2021

Question:

Have had a draw tite I command brake controller for 7 years. Worked great. No issues. This year the outback had mysteriously had its battery drained down. Replaced battery. dead again Dealer said parasitic drain caused by controller not their car. Went and replaced controller with brand new same model. Dead a few days later. Subaru again blamed controller but are looking into it. They say when they unplug controller drain ceases. Thoughts? Sincerely, Very Frustrated

asked by: Timothy M

Expert Reply:

It really shouldn't be the controller under normal circumstances. The brake controllers like the Brake EVN # TK63VR go into a sleep mode after several minutes of inactivity which would prevent battery drain. Also the small LED light of the controller wouldn't be able to drain a battery in a matter of a couple days. If the controller is staying active that could be caused by shorts on the wiring of the controller to the vehicle or even a short or corrosion on the 7-way connector.

You could pretty easily unplug the controller for a day or so to eliminate or confirm it as the problem as well.

expert reply by: Jameson C

Lynda

2/10/2025

How to disconnect my draw tite 5535. Please! It does drain my battery. Gone through 2 batteries inmy car in the last 2 years! AAA says to disconnect it. We do not use it. Have nothing to tow.