H3 2007 purchased March 2007
Current miles 6,500

Just returned home from a weeks vacation in VA. H3 in garage the whole time. Inserted the key in the ingnition. I could turn the key to "start" but no power. (all interior lights, clock, etc, not working) DEAD BATTERY I'm thinking. I turned the key back to the off area and the key would not come out. I turned the steering wheel both ways and it was still locked in. The steering wheel never did "lock in" place.

I connected a battery charger to the battery and open the door and all interior lights, clock, etc came on and I was able to pull the key right out.

I'm sure the battery went dead because my fuzz buster was plugged into the cig outlet and active. Yes, I now learned not to keep that plugged in if I'm not driving for a few days...

1) Is this some type of security perk the H3's have with the key locking itself in the ignition when the battery is stolen or something?

2) What's the procedure for me to designate the cig outlets to default off when the key is turned off?

By the way, I did a search on this forum for this topic but the locked key did not discuss the area of when the battery goes dead or disconnected the key locks itself in the ignition. The only battery issues I found were on the H2 forums and it appears some were not so happy with the stock issued batteries. If mine goes dead again, I'll just go purchase a higher quality one.

Also, after I charged up the battery for half a day, it started right up and then all three comfort zone controls (heat, air, feet/head) kept blinking off and on like they were cycling through something some sort of process (?). They stopped blinking after a few seconds. The only other thing I noticed so far is that the clock added an hour.


Thanks for any suggestions,
HERHMR

 

I have had the key lock in the switch everytime I have disconnected the battery to add an accessory. I think it has to do with the GM passlock system. It always comes out after I reconnect the battery. My radio goes to 12:00 when I reconnect the battery.

 

Had the same problem a couple of months ago. My wife drove it last and when I told her that the key must of been left on she told me that it is difficult to know where the key is after you turn off the H3. She also said she has caught it a couple of times turning off the H3 and leaving the key in the Aux. spot. I told her to make sure and take the key out every time just in case.

 

As far as I know the power ports are exempt from the parasytic load detector. Also there's no way to electronically tailor the power ports to be anything but what they are. Moral of the story? Unplug your stuff if you're going to leave it sit for a long time.

 

I had the same problem with the key with a blown fuse as well as a dead battery battery. I have to keep mine plugged into a trickle charger to keep the battery topped up between rides.

 

Most GM cars have a power maintenace system. After a period of when the car is shut off it turns all power off. It works on my car. It even shuts off my radar detector.

I never checked the hitch.

 

D VADER does your H3 or other GM car completely shut off power to your cigarette/lighter 12v sockets and trailer hitch power?

This is not the case with my 2006 H3. While my radio, windows, etc. will shutdown, my 12v sockets, including trailer hitch power, will not turn off.

My HitchCAM (powered thru the hitch) comes with a relay that--when installed--will kill the hitch power when you turn off the vehicle. I did not install the relay as I use the trailer hitch to charge my battery and run equipment (for limited time) when the car is off. (Without the relay, my HitchCAM is always on.)

 

My 2004 CTS had it as does my '07 H3, even at the cigarette lighter.

 

I went off-roading in moab this summer and bought a mini fridge and put in the back, and went on a 4 hour hike and with the H3 off fridge was still on and battery was not effected. Also had my radar detector on for that period.

 

I have had my phone charger plugged in since the day that I got the H3. Never unplug it, even left it that way while I was in AZ for a 6 days; cameback and started with no problem. I even have one of those electric "coolers", the ones that heat or cool and plug into the lighter, in the cargo area. Never effected anything.