Battery drain

Tiny
BIZKIT
  • MEMBER
  • 2004 CHEVROLET TAHOE
I have a 2004 z71 chevy tahoe 4x4, 5.3L, with 28,000 miles. I reolaced my factory battery back in April after I had to jumpstart it on 3 different occassions. I don't drive it much so I just figured it was time for another one. Bought a new battery and same thing. Battery dies every 7 to 10 days if I don't drive truck. I have had several people look at this since and they all give me a different answer. Since all of this I have installed a new radio in my truck. Nothing special, and I am still using the stock amplifier so no new power gain, besides problem started before radio install. Dealership says the radio is causing this and it took them probally all of 30 minutes in shop total. I took to radio installer twice and everything is hooked up correctly. I took to a local starter, alternator, battery specialist and he said with the truck off I was pulling 8 and a half volts. He said my alternator was charging fine and we replaced the battery I bought back in April because it was shot. Ok so he pulled every fuse under my hood and inside vehicle and charge was still there. I even unhooked new radio completely just to show him that I did not think it was the radio. He agreed that it definately was not the radio to. I am taking truck back to dealer to look at again. I was wondering if you had any suggestions on where to start at? I keep getting the run around. A mechanic told me that it could be the alternator or starter having a internal problem.
Friday, September 14th, 2007 AT 7:10 AM

22 Replies

Tiny
TH0MASC
  • MEMBER
  • 1 POST
You need to have your computer software (firmware) updated. My '04 Tahoe did the exact same thing, starting the first time I brought it home. The battery was so flat after 3-4 days of not being driven that it appeared to be totally disconnected. I suspected a computer problem because the OnStar status light would go red and, if I didn't drive the truck regularly after that, the battery would die. Pulling and replacing the OnStar fuse would reset the status light and everything would be OK. I would have left the fuse out (I don't care about OnStar) but it also feeds the DVD player. After 2-3 battery death episodes, I took the truck to the dealer and asked them to update all the firmware to the latest revision. The OnStar light almost never goes red now (I don't have service but it worked normally the rest of the free trial) and I haven't had the battery death problem since. The dealership denied this could have fixed the problem but the facts don't lie. Something was sticking on and draining the battery. You should also have your battery load tested as it may have been weakened by the deep discharge cycles.

This guide can help fix it

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/car-battery-dead-overnight

Please run down this guide and report back.
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Thursday, January 17th, 2008 AT 7:28 AM
Tiny
BRADLEY WILCOX
  • MEMBER
  • 1 POST
How much does it cost to have the computer updated?
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Monday, October 29th, 2018 AT 1:58 PM
Tiny
STEVE W.
  • MECHANIC
  • 15,233 POSTS
Before you do a re-flash on that truck, a really common issue on that vintage is a bad instrument cluster that will pull the battery down. How long is it until the battery won't crank the engine over?

If the cluster doesn't fix the issue then we are going to have to do a drain test to find out what the possible causes are.

Here is a guide that will cover the most common causes of this and a basic way to figure it out.

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/car-battery-dead-overnight

Please run through this and let us know if you have questions or what you find.
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Tuesday, October 30th, 2018 AT 8:14 AM
Tiny
CONTRERAS20
  • MEMBER
  • 7 POSTS
  • 2003 CHEVROLET TAHOE
  • 0.6L
  • V8
  • 4WD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 263,000 MILES
My Chevy Tahoe has an electrical problem something keeps on running the the battery energy out and I ant seem to find it out also, something keeps staying on that runs the battery energy out.
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Monday, July 6th, 2020 AT 11:53 AM (Merged)
Tiny
RASMATAZ
  • MECHANIC
  • 75,992 POSTS
Go to this link: https://www.2carpros.com/articles/car-battery-dead-overnight
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Monday, July 6th, 2020 AT 11:53 AM (Merged)
Tiny
RACEFAN966
  • MECHANIC
  • 5,029 POSTS
Find the ABS fuse and pull it and see if the battery stays charged. I have found that on GM vehicles the abs computer will stay on and drain the battery. Do ever hear any clicking sounds coming from under the hood after you shut it off? Get back to me with what happens and we will go from there ok.
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Monday, July 6th, 2020 AT 11:53 AM (Merged)
Tiny
CONTRERAS20
  • MEMBER
  • 7 POSTS
That didn't work still trying to find the short anymore ideas anyone
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Monday, July 6th, 2020 AT 11:53 AM (Merged)
Tiny
RACEFAN966
  • MECHANIC
  • 5,029 POSTS
Ok I would remove the alternator fuse then. If you have a multi meter I would like you to disconnect the Neg side of the battery and put the meter between the cable and the battery post let me know if there is any voltage ok.
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Monday, July 6th, 2020 AT 11:53 AM (Merged)
Tiny
CHOOSEFREEDOM1776
  • MEMBER
  • 1 POST
  • 2003 CHEVROLET TAHOE
  • V8
  • 4WD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 40,000 MILES
There appears to be an electrical problem. Along with the battery drain, when the engine is running, if I stop the vehicle completely the engine will stall. At a Stop, I have to shift to Neutral and give a little additional fuel in order to keep it from stalling.
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Monday, July 6th, 2020 AT 11:53 AM (Merged)
Tiny
RASMATAZ
  • MECHANIC
  • 75,992 POSTS
1. when the engine is running, if I stop the vehicle completely the engine will stall.

R1Try cleaning out the idle air control valve and test the throttle position sensor.

2.There appears to be an electrical problem. Along with the battery drain

R2


https://www.2carpros.com/forum/automotive_pictures/12900_parastic_draw_1_198.jpg

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Monday, July 6th, 2020 AT 11:53 AM (Merged)
Tiny
CONTRERAS20
  • MEMBER
  • 7 POSTS
Witch one is the alt. Fuse Didn't see it in the Manuel or under the hood fuse box what does it say
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Monday, July 6th, 2020 AT 11:53 AM (Merged)
Tiny
RACEFAN966
  • MECHANIC
  • 5,029 POSTS
This is a e corret? Which engine 4.8 or 5.3 ltr. Do you hear the abs pump running? The fuses that control the alt are ign E and and SEO ign both 10 amp in the underhood fuse box. Let me know what you find and abs pump do you hear it running (humming sound) with the key off?
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Monday, July 6th, 2020 AT 11:53 AM (Merged)
Tiny
JVO
  • MEMBER
  • 7 POSTS
  • 1999 CHEVROLET TAHOE
  • 60,000 MILES
We had auto start unhooked, there they pulled lighter fuse (door lock relay) and said the draw went away on their machine, they put fuse bk in and the battery stayed up overnight but was dead next day. We followed your batt drain testing and had a very bright light (was told draw is over 15 amp draw)I pulled cig lighter fuse and the light dimmed but never went off at the same time stuttering sound was going, then the acuators or relays were triggering for doors (i believe) replaced lighter fuse and light and noise continued. Pulled all other inside fuses no change. Went to under hood fuses, pulled the lighting fuse (lg silver) everything stoped but fuse test good. I am confused and could use some help. (Shop hinted they thought it was in power locks w diff modules I am confused, power locks intermittenly work lately, 2x they have triggered while driving (all this in last 2 weeks). Help, at this point I havve removed all fuses and thought I would go bkwards by inserting fuses.

Thank you,

Janet Vose
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Monday, July 6th, 2020 AT 11:54 AM (Merged)
Tiny
SATURNTECH9
  • MECHANIC
  • 30,869 POSTS
So are the door lock actuators staying on overheating and becoming inop and also draining the battery? It could be the lock switch but to be sure here is a guide to help walk you though the easy stuff

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/car-battery-dead-overnight

Please let us know what you find.
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Monday, July 6th, 2020 AT 11:54 AM (Merged)
Tiny
CONTRERAS20
  • MEMBER
  • 7 POSTS
  • 1997 CHEVROLET TAHOE
  • 5.3L
  • V8
  • 4WD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 263,000 MILES
Battery drain problem. If I leave the battery connected for more than a couple of hours it goes dead. But If I unhook it it's fine starts right up. Is it possible the ignition switch is staying on even when it is off.
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Monday, July 6th, 2020 AT 11:54 AM (Merged)
Tiny
RASMATAZ
  • MECHANIC
  • 75,992 POSTS
You might wanna try this link: https://www.2carpros.com/articles/car-battery-dead-overnight
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Monday, July 6th, 2020 AT 11:54 AM (Merged)
Tiny
GOFISHNANA
  • MEMBER
  • 1 POST
  • 1998 CHEVROLET TAHOE
  • 6 CYL
  • 4WD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 175,000 MILES
My 1998 2 dr Chevy Tahoe--
My battery went out so I bought a new one.
2 days later, the battery went down. We disconnected the radio, thinking it may be the problem. Not it. Checked the alternator-not it. Every time I charge it up, it runs till next day then same thing--battery is dead again. While the battery is dead and I turn the key back off it makes a sound like the blinker is on but it is not. I turned the lights on and it quit. Turned the lights off and it did it again.
Please help--Single lady in distress.I even took the battery back, and they checked it and said it is not the battery.
Thank you for what you can do to help me.
Lady in Distress
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Monday, July 6th, 2020 AT 11:54 AM (Merged)
Tiny
RASMATAZ
  • MECHANIC
  • 75,992 POSTS
Battery drain test

Get a test light and disconnect the negative battery cable now put the light between the cable and battery negative post is the light On? If so start removing fuses one at a time -the fuse that turns off the light is the trouble circuit. Then break out the electrical wiring diagram.

In the event you removed all the fuses and the light is still On disconnect the alternator batt. Feed and the connector-if this one turns off the light-the alternator has bad diodes.
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Monday, July 6th, 2020 AT 11:54 AM (Merged)
Tiny
WBWILSON80
  • MEMBER
  • 1 POST
  • 1997 CHEVROLET TAHOE
I have a 1997 Tahoe with 152k. It's a 5.7L engine. I have been having an issue with the Battery. The water is being sucked out of the battery whenever I run the car. It's not a leak since its only sucked out when the car is on. Could this be the alternator draining my battery or another issue?

Thanks
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Monday, July 6th, 2020 AT 11:54 AM (Merged)
Tiny
LEB
  • MEMBER
  • 45 POSTS
It could also be a bad battery.

I would recommend going to O'Reilly or some place similar and have them test both the alternator and the battery. You will know for sure whether it is one of these.
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Monday, July 6th, 2020 AT 11:54 AM (Merged)

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