Battery Cut Off.

04CCSO · August 6, 2009

I bought an 04 1500 4x4 from a MT sheriff's dept in jan. They had installed a battery kill switch on the outside of the truck. Since I had been using the truck as my DD I never used it. Now that I finally put a fuel pump in our car the truck just sits most of the time.

Is there any problem with leaving the battery switch off for a week or weeks at a time? I can't see why there would be an issue but I thought I would ask anyway.

FiretruckGMC · August 6, 2009

well normally when there's a battery cut off switch its for a part that has CONSTANT power to it. Did you trace where it goes to? is it a second batt or main batt? there is an issue cuz it was ur main battery and you left it on it could drain your battery if there was something needing power.. What im saying is i work for a Fire department out here.. we have battery switches on allll of our trucks, the reason is when you turn the battery on its like turning the key to the on posistion. Its pretty much the same with that truck, you said it your self, you bought it from the MT sheriffs dept they have MDTS or computers in there for vehicle checks and shit. Those are ALWAYS on.

The best advice i can give you is leave it off til you FIND out were it all the power goes to. other wise dead battery.

04CCSO · August 6, 2009

It kills power to everything. It's on the ground wire right off the battery. Between the battery and the actual ground connection.

FiretruckGMC · August 6, 2009

you mean negative(-) wire?

04CCSO · August 6, 2009

Yes, ground=negative.

FiretruckGMC · August 7, 2009

run a new wire.. eliminate the switch... its more of a hassle

04CCSO · August 7, 2009

run a new wire.. eliminate the switch... its more of a hassle

What? How is it a hassle? I was just wondering if leaving the truck with no power would have any effect on electronics? It seems changing it at this point would be the hassle.

Chads09Sierra · August 7, 2009

as long as its hooked up to the ground wire, you wont have any problems. its just like an emergency kill switch on drag cars. it can also work as an anti theft device if its hidden. but no worries on leaving it off for a long period of time.

chad

04CCSO · August 7, 2009

as long as its hooked up to the ground wire, you wont have any problems. its just like an emergency kill switch on drag cars. it can also work as an anti theft device if its hidden. but no worries on leaving it off for a long period of time.

chad

That's kind what I figured. And it's pretty hidden unless you are REALLY looking for it.

Zembonez · August 7, 2009

as long as its hooked up to the ground wire, you wont have any problems. its just like an emergency kill switch on drag cars. it can also work as an anti theft device if its hidden. but no worries on leaving it off for a long period of time.

chad

That's kind what I figured. And it's pretty hidden unless you are REALLY looking for it.

I'd be concerned about the computer having to relearn the various sensor inputs every time the truck was energized and started. Modern electronics need a power source for memory.

Chads09Sierra · August 7, 2009

as long as its hooked up to the ground wire, you wont have any problems. its just like an emergency kill switch on drag cars. it can also work as an anti theft device if its hidden. but no worries on leaving it off for a long period of time.

chad

That's kind what I figured. And it's pretty hidden unless you are REALLY looking for it.

I'd be concerned about the computer having to relearn the various sensor inputs every time the truck was energized and started. Modern electronics need a power source for memory.

Good Point. i wonder how long it would take for the battery to drain to the point where it would have to relearn everything?

Zembonez · August 7, 2009

as long as its hooked up to the ground wire, you wont have any problems. its just like an emergency kill switch on drag cars. it can also work as an anti theft device if its hidden. but no worries on leaving it off for a long period of time.

chad

That's kind what I figured. And it's pretty hidden unless you are REALLY looking for it.

I'd be concerned about the computer having to relearn the various sensor inputs every time the truck was energized and started. Modern electronics need a power source for memory.

Good Point. i wonder how long it would take for the battery to drain to the point where it would have to relearn everything?

A battery in good condition would last for months without going dead unless there was something draining it. I've seen mid 90s Chevy hunting rigs (modified Suburbans) on the ranches in South Texas start without issue after sitting for 6 months. We never removed the battery or disconnected anything.

04CCSO · August 7, 2009

as long as its hooked up to the ground wire, you wont have any problems. its just like an emergency kill switch on drag cars. it can also work as an anti theft device if its hidden. but no worries on leaving it off for a long period of time.

chad

That's kind what I figured. And it's pretty hidden unless you are REALLY looking for it.

I'd be concerned about the computer having to relearn the various sensor inputs every time the truck was energized and started. Modern electronics need a power source for memory.

Interresting thought. Wouldn't there be some sort of emergency memory backup besides the battery. Even my sirius radio retains it's presets after being removed from power.

Zembonez · August 7, 2009

as long as its hooked up to the ground wire, you wont have any problems. its just like an emergency kill switch on drag cars. it can also work as an anti theft device if its hidden. but no worries on leaving it off for a long period of time.

chad

That's kind what I figured. And it's pretty hidden unless you are REALLY looking for it.

I'd be concerned about the computer having to relearn the various sensor inputs every time the truck was energized and started. Modern electronics need a power source for memory.

Interresting thought. Wouldn't there be some sort of emergency memory backup besides the battery. Even my sirius radio retains it's presets after being removed from power.

Memory is some items goes away right away. Some items may have a small amount of backup but if left disconnected for hours (or days) they will be dead to the world.

Offshore24 · August 11, 2009

as long as its hooked up to the ground wire, you wont have any problems. its just like an emergency kill switch on drag cars. it can also work as an anti theft device if its hidden. but no worries on leaving it off for a long period of time.

chad

That's kind what I figured. And it's pretty hidden unless you are REALLY looking for it.

I'd be concerned about the computer having to relearn the various sensor inputs every time the truck was energized and started. Modern electronics need a power source for memory.

Good Point. i wonder how long it would take for the battery to drain to the point where it would have to relearn everything?

A battery in good condition would last for months without going dead unless there was something draining it. I've seen mid 90s Chevy hunting rigs (modified Suburbans) on the ranches in South Texas start without issue after sitting for 6 months. We never removed the battery or disconnected anything.

Sorry for stealing the thread. I'll be interested in what happens to those vehicles with the E10 gas. The battery may be fine but the gas may be separated by then...