Dead Battery Again!

CTM · August 10, 2011

My truck sits for a week at a time. Last year I had a problem were the battery would die in 3 days.

I had the ectrical system and the battery check out, and found it to be a faulty cigarette lighter that stuck on. Had to replace the battery.

Installed a neg post shut off just to play it safe.

During the summer the trucks main job is to haul around a truck camper for camping.

Don't use it much because it only gets 8 mpg with the camper on.

Any way I try to start it once a week, and have not been using the battery cut off. Because it started everytime.

Just went out to start it, and the truck was stone dead, but would start with a jump.

My question is, can the passive factory alarm kill the battey in a week or so?

I'm tired of spending a $100+ a pop for new batteries!

desrtrat · August 10, 2011

first i would put the battery on a good charger for a few hrs. just jump starting it and running it will not give it a good charge. after checking for a draw by pulling each fuse one at a time. GM has a issue with the BCM not shutting down sometimes causing the battery to drain in a couple of days..been a on going issue since 02..most times a re flash of the BCM fixes the problem..

good luck

Diesail · August 10, 2011

It sounds like you "could" have a parasitic power drain like the one you described with the lighter. But no matter what the case is I would strongly suggest that you install a float charger or battery maintainer. The life of a battery is directly related to the number of discharges the battery goes through and the deeper the discharge the small the number of discharges the battery will survive. Since you leave the truck sit for long periods it is going through a discharge everytime you park it. The idea behind the float charger is it will keep the battery charged and prevents the discharge cycle, thus greatly increasing a batteries life. Plus it has the benefit of insuring you have a full charge when you go to use the vehicle. I will give you a good example, on the boat I have 6 batteries making a large "house" bank. The first set of batteries lasted 10 years. The primary reason being that they where floated anytime they boat was not in use.

txab · August 10, 2011

first i would put the battery on a good charger for a few hrs. just jump starting it and running it will not give it a good charge. after checking for a draw by pulling each fuse one at a time. GM has a issue with the BCM not shutting down sometimes causing the battery to drain in a couple of days..been a on going issue since 02..most times a re flash of the BCM fixes the problem..

good luck

+1 on using a trickle charger to keep your battery topped off. Your battery will last much longer.

SouthCo · August 10, 2011

My Sierra sits for weeks at a time and I have never had an issue with it starting right up. My tahoe is my daily driver.

Diesail · August 10, 2011

My Sierra sits for weeks at a time and I have never had an issue with it starting right up. My tahoe is my daily driver.

And after it sits and starts, how long do you drive it? The OP says he starts it every week but no mention of driving time or idle time. After a week of sitting it could take an hour or two of driving to put a full charge back in. If the OP is only starting it and letting run at idle (read between the lines, alternator won't put out much) for 20 minutes he may never be putting a full charge back in and thus each week it creeps lower and lower.

AllBlkdOut07 · August 10, 2011

I've had this same issue as my truck sits for weeks at a time. Once you jump start it and drive it around you won't have a problem. Just a PITA to have to jump start it.

GasHog369 · August 10, 2011

X1000000 on the trickle charger..

I bought a 95 firebird that has a draw somewhere i cant track down yet. So I bought a trickle charge that mounts under the hood. Its only about 6" wide by 4" deep x 1.5" tall.. Wires right to battery, and all i gotta do is plug extension cord in. Works perfect.

CTM · August 12, 2011

Thanks everyone for the responds.

At this time, I'm just going to go back to using the neg battery cut off, problem solved for now!

I charged the battery for hours and it seems ok, but it's not a deep cycle, so a couple of times of letting it die will be the cost of yet another new battery!

I still have the GMPP on the truck, and when it gets close to the end, will let them check out the on board computer.

pm26 · August 23, 2011

My Sierra sits for weeks at a time and I have never had an issue with it starting right up.

Same for my truck. No issues starting it.

oppirs · August 23, 2011

Thanks everyone for the responds.

At this time, I'm just going to go back to using the neg battery cut off, problem solved for now!

I charged the battery for hours and it seems ok, but it's not a deep cycle, so a couple of times of letting it die will be the cost of yet another new battery!

I still have the GMPP on the truck, and when it gets close to the end, will let them check out the on board computer.

I found out (of all things) My factory Delco radio was draining my battery after 3 days. Pulled radio fuse, but lost dash gauges. But no battery drain.

I think OnStar didn't like me canceling the subscription. Aftermarket radio installed, no drain even if it sits for 4 months!

redjewel2ss · August 23, 2011

i agree with everyone else on the trickle charger...

but i would also add a deep cycle battery, like an Optima or equivalent. they take much longer to drain than standard batteries.

Debo511 · August 23, 2011

If you are starting once a weak and not driving or letting the system fully charge you are depleting the battery. If you are just starting to check to see if it will start, let it run for a while or take her for a ride to restore the charge depleted from starting. A start or two dont hurt but ovetime it will deplete the battery's charge.

X1000001 on trickle charger.

Doug_Scott · August 23, 2011

Note that there is a difference between a trickle charger and a float charger. A trickle charger will kill a battery over time. What you want is a charger that shuts off once it has fully charged the battery, then turn back on when needed. A good float charger is a Battery Tender. Do not just get a trickle charger, get one that has a "float" mode to it. Do a search on "Battery Tender" to get more useful information.

Optima Bill · August 27, 2011

Hi SingleAction,

First, let me say, some very good information has been shared so far.

We have a great

that helps explain about parasitic drain and how to pinpoint it.

I would suspect from your explanation that something is draining your battery and for many newer GM vehicles, OnStar and other satellite-based accessories can be problematic if they are left sitting for long periods of time. One suggestion that was said earlier, letting your truck run and “recharge” for 20 minutes probably isn't actually helping anything. It would be much better to have a maintenance type charger on it if it sits for any length of time. It may be a bit aggravating, but at least you don't have to reprogram everything like you do if you use a disconnect.

While Doug made the differentiation between trickle & float chargers, those terms are often used interchangeably to describe the same thing. The best units are fully-automatic, microprocessor-controlled and will vary voltage and amperage. These chargers will monitor the battery and charge it as necessary. Traditional “float” chargers will provide constant voltage with tapering amperage to the battery, even when it is fully-charged. For float-charging, we recommend 1 amp max, 13.2-13.8 volts. These work fine on our batteries, but the microprocessor-controlled units are preferred. The units to be very careful with are older units that are not regulated and will overcharge a battery, if left unmonitored.

Sulfration is another issue when batteries get deeply-discharged, and can shorten their lifespan. So, keeping you battery charged can save you in more ways than one.

I do recommend a deep cycle type battery such as our YellowTop when you do replace your battery since you are also using the truck as a camper. The dual- purpose compatibility of the YellowTop will make both starting the truck and camping easy with just one battery.. Deep cycle batteries also withstand parasitic drains better than conventional batteries, so that could possibly help minimize the drainage issue.

Thanks,

Bill Howell

eCare Manager, OPTIMA Batteries, Inc.

www.powerpacknation.com