Battery issue
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 110
Likes: 13
From: MS
Battery issue
I just installed a new GM delco Battery on Dec 20, 2012. I left car in garage while I was out of town during Christmas. I came back on Dec 31, 2012 and the car would not start. Previous battery would also crank car if I charged it, but if car sat for over a day, would not start. that is why I replced the battery. Anyone else ever have this problem? Any ideas as to what could be draining the battery? I checked and no lights were on left on, and no doors were open that might have caused something to stay on. New battery was tested before I installed it and it was good.
Tech Contributor
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 10,924
Likes: 78
From: Forney Texas
really the wrong section the get answers for this. I would flag it and ask a moderator to move it to tech. As for the problem, I've seen various items cause a drain on the battery, from a defective alternator drawing current to a power seat controller causing the problem. They can be difficult if not impossible to chase down without the proper tool and experience. An ammeter will help isolate the trouble if the draw is below the amount that is allowed to flow through the meter. I've also connected high current test lights in series with the battery to see if it lights up. Removing fuses one at a time while monitoring the draw will help you isolate the trouble.
Burning Brakes
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 1,047
Likes: 2
From: Denver CO
I'll just throw this out there and I don't mean to insult anyone's intelligence but something similar happened to me and I couldn't locate the problem. I park the car in the garage, under a garage light, the light is on when I drive in, it goes out on a timer. My wife left one of the rear view mirror map lights on and I couldn't tell because of the glare of the garage light in the windshield. 
Good luck and let us know what you find.
Good luck and let us know what you find.
Team Owner
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 22,141
Likes: 4,156
From: Kannapolis NC
You can always connect an ammeter in series with the negative cable, wait for the "sleep mode" after a few minutes (with all doors closed and lights off) and check current draw. If it's much more than 20 milliamps, you need to start looking for what's drawing the current. Anything aftermarket on the car, alarm, audio, etc?
Advanced
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 63
Likes: 6
From: Dana Point CA
I have a 2005 Z51, automatic trans. First time I had the DB issue was April, 2012. I had 31 months on a 72 month Delco. Dealer said it was the battery. Had it replaced with a top of the line Diehard. One week later, same thing. This time dealer said if was the ECM, and they replaced it. 9 months later, same thing. Got a jump from AAA, took it to a dealer. They kept it a day and a half and couldn't find anything.. and the battery was fine. Two days later, same thing. Back to dealer. They rebooted the system, thinking a module was not shutting down when I parked, etc. So now, it's just crossing my fingers every time I get in ...... and counting the months until I get my C7.
1st Gear
Joined: Oct 2011
Posts: 1
Likes: 0
From: Arecibo Puerto Rico
Well... I have the same issue: battery is totally drained within 36 hours of no use. Have replaced battery, but no difference. Dealer can't find the problem, either. This is frustrating... And this happened a few days after I installed the module to fix the Column Lock problem. Could that has something to do with it?
Drifting
Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 1,443
Likes: 7
From: Bristol raceway area
That only applies to a 2005 C6. Parking in reverse won't do anything for a C5 as far as battery life. One thing to think about....Did you charge the battery FULLY after replacement? Not just driving the car home, but charging it to full capacity? A C5 drains a battery more than most cars and if it was a little low, and left that long it could be the issue. Also check the battery cables for corrosion and to be sure they are tight. Make sure the rubber cover over the end of the cable isn't pinched between the cable end and the battery. Check in a dark room, make sure the glove box or underhood lamp aren't staying on. Listen in a quiet room, see if you can hear the seat motors trying to move.
You can always connect an ammeter in series with the negative cable, wait for the "sleep mode" after a few minutes (with all doors closed and lights off) and check current draw. If it's much more than 20 milliamps, you need to start looking for what's drawing the current. Anything aftermarket on the car, alarm, audio, etc?
You can always connect an ammeter in series with the negative cable, wait for the "sleep mode" after a few minutes (with all doors closed and lights off) and check current draw. If it's much more than 20 milliamps, you need to start looking for what's drawing the current. Anything aftermarket on the car, alarm, audio, etc?
Walmart has several good multi-meters for $17.-$24.00 that can check DC current draw among other things. Had to get me a new one.
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