What if you do not keep the ignition on yet want to use different car accessories? Is it possible to do so? Well, you can get this facility from your car’s features. You may often need to use or deactivate it. However, many of us do not know how to turn off Full Accessory Power Active (FAP), the feature I am talking about.
Disabling the FAP feature can conserve vehicle’s battery life. Again, you may need to switch it off during certain maintenance tasks. Usually, you can locate the accessory power switch and toggle it to the off position to turn off the feature. There are some other ways, too.
In this introductory guide, I will help you to learn why and how to deactivate the FAP feature to manage the car’s power usage effectively.
A Brief Overview of Full Accessory Power Active (FAP)
You may have already used it, yet you do not know about it completely. Otherwise, learning it in a better way can help you to use it more proficiently. Let’s not waste more time!
FAP is a common feature of modern vehicles. It allows the use of various accessories like power windows, radio, air conditioning, and more, even when the engine is not running (1,2,3). Hence, this unique feature operates by efficiently managing electrical power distribution within the car.
You can see a FAP symbol lit on the dashboard. It indicates whether the vehicle’s battery has enough charge to use this feature without losing electrical power (4, 5). Unexpectedly, continuous use of the feature can cause battery drain (6,7). So, you should use it wisely to maintain battery health.
When to Consider Disabling Full Accessory Power Active
I mean when you need to turn off the Full Accessory Power Active. Well, there are certain situations when turning off the FAP feature would be a good idea.
Here are some examples:
- You have parked your car in the yard or lot and gone shopping. Now, you may not need the FAP feature (like there’s nobody who wants to hear music sitting inside the car).
- Your car’s battery drains fast, but you do not know why. At this point, turning the FAP off can save the battery.
- Certain electrical issues may be somehow connected to Full Accessory Power Active. Turning off the feature can reduce the risks of those issues (8).
- You have turned on different accessories (like radio, infotainment systems) through FAP. Surprisingly, it can cause distractions for you or the driver if you want to focus on other things. By “other things”, you can consider keeping attention on the road or speaking to passengers. In such situations, you may need to turn the FAP off.
How to Turn Off Full Accessory Power Active Feature – Steps to Follow
Relax! It’s not such a tough job! Before you begin the process of turning off the feature, you should keep the vehicle in a safe location. Also, ensure that you have engaged the parking brake properly. I can suggest one more thing – keep the key fob or start button within your reach.
Now follow these steps carefully:
Method One
Step 1: Locate the Accessory Power Controls
In most trendy vehicles, these controls are linked to the ignition or start button. You should know the locations of these controls. These are usually found in the central console or on the steering column.
Step 2: The Disabling Process
Allow your car to rest for a moment before starting the process. It may help with the reset. Then, press the Start button once without pressing the brake pedal to enter accessory mode. Next, press the brake pedal and the “Start button” again to turn off the accessory power (9).
Step 3: Verify the Power Down
After turning off the FAP feature, you should ensure that it is off properly. For instance, you can check if the radio or power windows are off. If you get the accessories to remain powered, follow the previous steps again. Otherwise, you may recheck your car manual for instructions.
Method Two
For sure, this is another easy method to disable FAP easily. Again, you can follow these instructions:
Step 1: Access the Settings Menu
Access the settings menu on the vehicle’s dashboard display. Then, turn the vehicle’s ignition on without starting the engine.
Step 2: Navigate to FAP Option
On the Settings menu, go to the active full accessory power option. You may locate it under a submenu like “power management” or “battery settings” (8). Turn the feature off by selecting from the display and following the on-screen prompts.
However, some users have reported issues with the vehicle not starting or running rough when the FAP message is displayed. It indicates some possible issues with the vehicle systems (10, 11, 12).
Troubleshooting Common Issues
When you are about to turn off Full Accessory Power Active, you may encounter (like many others) some common issues. In this part, I will discuss how to solve them quickly.
Unable to Find the FAP Option in the Settings Menu
You should always be sure that your car’s electrical system is on. Suppose you cannot find the option. Then, check the user manual or contact the manufacturer for assistance.
The ‘Full Accessory Power Active’ option is Greyed Out or Not Selectable.
It may happen due to a safety feature. This feature prevents changes while the vehicle is in motion. So, ensure that your vehicle is parked. Also, the engine must be turned off before attempting to change the settings.
Automatic Turning-On of The FAP Feature
Yes, some vehicles are out there with a setting. It automatically reactivates the feature after a certain period or under specific conditions. Again, I suggest you read the user manual for information on how to disable this setting.
Battery Drains After Turning Off the FAP Feature
You want to save battery life, right? That’s why maybe you turned off the Full Accessory Power Active. If you still find the battery draining unexpectedly, other issues could arise. For instance, the battery or alternator is faulty. In this case, a professional mechanic can inspect and solve the problem.
How to Reactivate Full Accessory Power Active
After turning the feature off, you may want to reactivate it. I am here again to help you with this. Follow these simple steps to turn on the Full Accessory Power Active:
Start the Electrical System
Just like deactivating, turn on your car’s electrical system without starting the engine. I mean you need to press the start button without pressing the brake pedal.
Navigate to the Settings Menu
Has your system turned on yet? Once it is on, go to the settings menu on your vehicle’s infotainment system.
Turn on Full Accessory Power Active Feature
Now, you can look for power management or accessory power options. Next, select this option and follow the prompts to turn on the feature.
Conclusion: How to Turn Off Full Accessory Power Active
Thanks for reading the whole blog post! At the end, I want to add that turning off the “Full Accessory Power Active” feature is beneficial for maintaining battery health. But it can be inconvenient if you still want to use car accessories that require battery power.
As I said, you can toggle the accessory power switch off or follow any of the methods mentioned earlier. Any method you choose is very simple to follow. If you have any problems, you can follow my troubleshooting ideas. The final step can be having a chat with your car dealer or an expert mechanic.
That’s all for today’s topic. Have a nice day!
