Dead battery cells

[Homeslice]

2016 1500

 

I'm on my third battery now (all under warranty) in 24k miles. Every time the truck sits for 3-4 days, it won't start. This morning, the truck had sat for 2 days and wouldn't start. So took it to dealer and they said bad cell and are replacing the battery again. I'm worried that if I end up in a situation where I can't wait for or find a jump or I run out warranty, this could escalate. 

 

What are my options? What questions should I be asking? 

[Supreme Pizza]

Fact:         Draining your battery all the way dead will damage the battery. 

 

 

Emergency backup: 

 

https://www.amazon.com/STANLEY-J5C09-Jump-Starter-Compressor/dp/B002X6VXL4/ref=sr_1_8?ie=UTF8&qid=1533338458&sr=8-8&keywords=portable+jump+start

 

 

 

 

 

[Sierra706]

You’ve got a phantom load. Anything plugged into your outlets? Has the dealer performed a test to check for draw while sitting or just replaced batteries?


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[Willie will]

Dam that sucks. I just had to change my battery cause it was sitting for like a week. 

[Homeslice]

8 hours ago, Bushleaguechew said:

You’ve got a phantom load. Anything plugged into your outlets? Has the dealer performed a test to check for draw while sitting or just replaced batteries?


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I generally keep my phone charger plugged into the three prong outlet in my center console but no phone plugged into it. And I have a hard wired valentine one radar detector which was off. I pick up the truck this morning so I'll ask what all they tested. 

[Homeslice]

7 hours ago, Willie will said:

Dam that sucks. I just had to change my battery cause it was sitting for like a week. 

Doesn't that seem odd?

[diyer2]

IMO

There is something draining the battery when it sits.

Being retired my truck can sit for days.

Sometimes for 7 days and it always starts.

 

I would unplug all the added on items for a start.

 

If you have a DVM you can check the draw on the battery when it's sitting.

 

[duquephart]

Parasitic draw somewhere. A short somewhere? Might drive you nuts.

[Willie will]

52 minutes ago, Homeslice said:

Doesn't that seem odd?

It does seem odd. I’ve left my truck for weeks and never had a problem and now all of a sudden it’s dead. I have not changed anything on the truck at all so maybe it’s just a bad battery.

[revrnd]

51 minutes ago, Willie will said:

It does seem odd. I’ve left my truck for weeks and never had a problem and now all of a sudden it’s dead. I have not changed anything on the truck at all so maybe it’s just a bad battery.

The battery in my '11 2500HD didn't last 4 years (I'm think 2 & a half). Brother who still works in a GM plant says the quality of the batteries has 'gone south' since GM sold the battery business. He knows a few guys that have bought 'staff vehicles' w/ low miles and the batteries die after 2 years of service.

[paumat]

The odds of getting 2 bad replacement batteries in a row is slim (unless GM is now using Exide). As others have mentioned, look for parasitic draw.

 

a lot of times the dealer will pull a battery that’s been sitting on a rack for months that’s charged enough to start the car a couple times then if u do a short drive home and let it sit for a week it never got fully charged. Go for a long drive before letting it sit to be sure it’s fully charged.