Battery draining?

Tiny
MLASHBROOK1010
  • MEMBER
  • 2001 CHEVROLET 2500
  • 6.6L
  • V8
  • TURBO
  • 4WD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 300,000 MILES
My battery light came on while driving home one day. The next day I found that it wouldn't start. I switched out the battery because it was about time anyhow. It started right up but the battery light stayed on. I noticed over the next day or two that it was slowly showing less amps on my dash like it was being drained super slow. (I tested the alternator with a new battery, and it was bouncing all over the place from 7-13 amps.

I noticed that when I removed the key and opened the driver's side door the radio would stay on. After some research someone said try the passenger door and see if that turns off the accessories. It did which led me to believe it was the latch in the driver door that was not triggering the accessories to turn off. So, I assumed it was that and took the face off my radio so the light wouldn't stay on, and I started going to the passenger side and opening it and locking it so the accessories would turn off. Well, I didn't drive it for a few days but I would still go out and make sure it started which it did but then after three days or so I went out this morning and the new battery was drained again. I entered truck and turned the accessories on and noticed that this time the battery had enough juice to turn the radio and dash lights on but not start. I took the key out and opened the driver door and this time it did turn the radio accessory off which is seemingly the only thing that was being left on before.
Wednesday, October 12th, 2022 AT 1:49 PM

1 Reply

Tiny
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
  • MECHANIC
  • 108,170 POSTS
Hi,

The voltage is an issue. When you checked it, was the vehicle running? As far as the door goes, it does sound like a switch issue. Do the dome lights and other things related to the door switch work?

Do me a favor. Take a look through this link and let me know if this is how the alternator was tested:

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/how-to-check-a-car-alternator

Let me know.

Joe
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Wednesday, October 12th, 2022 AT 8:22 PM

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