Dead Battery?

sceptre · January 16, 2008

i parked my truck for a few days as I was out of town working, when I came back, the battery was completely dead. So i put it on trickle charge overnight and it seems okay now. I bought my 06 vmax with approx 20k on it, so i just figured the previous owner killed the battery a few too many times listening to music or something.

Was talking to my parents today and they said shortly after they purchased their colorado (brand new) that they went out one morning and the battery was completely dead as well. Also my aunt bought a new canyon about a month ago and she went out last week and it was completely dead.

I know I'm not leaving anything on, nor did anyone else....even if we did, isn't it supposed to shut off after 20 mins??

Anyone have any ideas??

minibike132 · January 16, 2008

Everything kinda shuts off but there is still draw from module memories. What is a few days?

ZR Rider · January 16, 2008

My brother-in-laws 05 Sierra did the same thing. My 06 has a screwy start to it as well. Mine has power, till I turn the key to start, then everyhting goes blank. But back to ON and the gauges and radio come on. My dealer thinks its a ground issue.

pm26 · January 16, 2008

"The only thing that is free of charge is a dead battery".

mes · January 16, 2008

"The only thing that is free of charge is a dead battery".

sceptre · January 16, 2008

Everything kinda shuts off but there is still draw from module memories. What is a few days?

parked it friday evening around 6 or 7 and tried to start it monday evening. Wouldn't unlock doors first...so i figured bat was dead in remote. Once i opened the doors, nothing would come on when i turned the key ahead....it was COMPLETELY dead. It was maybe 10 degrees below freezing while I was gone.

Draenor · January 16, 2008

First check the ground. Also extreme cold will kill a battery, also running it "empty" will kill a battery. It will only take a few cycles like this before it will not take a charge.

ATMINF · January 16, 2008

Like it was stated before the cold will kill a battery, and how many times has the battery been run down. I just replaced the battery for my wifes mini-van and with the kids leaving the lights on, and all the extra electronic crap the battery gave up the ghost (its about 2 1/2 years old). I know most people will say get a optima, and yes they are good, but I got a energizer battery with a full 3 year replacement and pro rated for 8 years at Sams from about $70 bucks. At that rate I will have traded in the mini-van for a Suburban before the battery goes again or I have to pay for another one. Good luck.

sceptre · January 16, 2008

Like it was stated before the cold will kill a battery, and how many times has the battery been run down. I just replaced the battery for my wifes mini-van and with the kids leaving the lights on, and all the extra electronic crap the battery gave up the ghost (its about 2 1/2 years old). I know most people will say get a optima, and yes they are good, but I got a energizer battery with a full 3 year replacement and pro rated for 8 years at Sams from about $70 bucks. At that rate I will have traded in the mini-van for a Suburban before the battery goes again or I have to pay for another one. Good luck.

I wouldn't consider 10 degrees below freezing, extreme cold. It was 25 - 35 below freezing here for approximately 2 or 3 weeks, and I didn't have any problems with the truck then. I did not use it every single day either as I have a company truck that I use most of the time when I'm working.

If the dealer does a load test on it and it comes back weak, would it be replaced under warranty? Its an 06 with approx 25k

ATMINF · January 16, 2008

I don't think the dealer will replace it. Its hard to say. I know that some will say the the factory battery's are pretty good while other will say they are crap. I do know that after doing some looking around Johnson Controls is the company that makes most of the batterys out there. Also the Optimas lately have been very hit or miss on their quality. And after reading all the different stuff, the deal that Sams Club has on their batteries is hard to pass up. I know that the replacement that I got has a higher CCA than the stock battery, and that when my truck needs a new battery I will most likely go to Sams Club to get a new one. The warrenty is better than most and the price was cheaper than alot of others out there.

If I had a bunch of electronic stuff or lights that needed a good battery that could be drained repeatly and then recharged I would get some of the better batterys that are out there, but most of them are in the $200 range or more. Talk to the big sound system guys they will tell you alot about the "good" batteries (not only about the yellow top Optimas). But for me and my simple needs the energizer car battery from Sams works great(the battery is made by Johnson Controls). Hope this helps.

minibike132 · January 16, 2008

Could someone post doc#1583991 to help explain.

minibike132 · January 16, 2008

It should be covered under warranty. I would point to cold weather (-10 may not be cold to you but it is to a battery) and sitting for a few days. Now that said you may explain and request a current draw test (if someone posts the doc I asked for you can see this illustrated) the chart in the doc isn't specifically for your battery your stock should be a 600cca with a reserve of 115. I would say 300ma would drop it to 50% assuming it's 70 degrees. At -10 your way different. It should be warranty like I said take it in, get the load and draw tests and call it a day. Oh yea and delco batteries do kinda suck

sceptre · May 30, 2008

hey guys, sorry to bring this post back but still having the same problems. WIth regards to the battery troubles in January, the dealer replaced the battery under warranty and all was good up until about a month ago.

I parked my truck for 11 days, and when I went to start it, it was completely dead.....2.6v actually.

Had it towed to the dealer becuase it pissed me off and they charged the battery and said there is absolutely NOTHING wrong with the battery or the truck. Does anyone have any ideas on this?

Also, I've been checking the battery myself every evening for the last few days as I have not been using the truck at all. Monday when I got it back from the dealer it was 12.99v. It is currently sitting at 12.2v. What would cause 0.8v drop over 4 days??

Thanks for any info

Nick