Battery keeps discharging?
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Oct 2000
Posts: 215
Likes: 0
From: Greeley CO
Battery keeps discharging?
Is there anything in particular I can look for as to why this is happening? I have a new Red top that I just had tested and it was fine so that can't be it. Only other recent change is the reprogramming by Ed Wright for the new gears and converter.
I looked on the DIC but didn't see any current codes or any history codes that looked suspicious. Anyway, if anyone has any ideas of things to look for before I have to take it to the dealer I would appreciate it.
Thanks in advance
I looked on the DIC but didn't see any current codes or any history codes that looked suspicious. Anyway, if anyone has any ideas of things to look for before I have to take it to the dealer I would appreciate it.
Thanks in advance
Melting Slicks
Joined: Sep 2000
Posts: 2,756
Likes: 5
From: Satellite Beach, FL, USA
Re: Battery keeps discharging? (C5Rated)
Check to see if your glove box bulb is warm. The glove box door distorts over time and does not press on the OFF switch firmly.
Other than that, you will need a clamp on current probe and test for excess current drain with the car off. You will need to pull your hood lamp and close the doors and wait a few minutes for all electonics to be commanded off by the PCM and BCM.
You can then pull fuses to try and isolate the problem.
Other than that, you will need a clamp on current probe and test for excess current drain with the car off. You will need to pull your hood lamp and close the doors and wait a few minutes for all electonics to be commanded off by the PCM and BCM.
You can then pull fuses to try and isolate the problem.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Dec 2001
Posts: 1,062
Likes: 0
From: VA
Re: Battery keeps discharging? (C5Rated)
IMHO also take a look at the maintenance light in the engine bay as a possible drain on the battery. Consider unplugging it at the connection to isolate it as a problem. :cheers:
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 5,925
Likes: 0
From: A FEW CLICKS NORTH OF THE CANAL
Re: Battery keeps discharging? (Jerry Velders)
I was under the impression that all current draws were shut off after X number of mins? Like the interior lights and radio are, after the key is turned off. But then I could be wrong :crazy: :D
Racer
Joined: May 2002
Posts: 275
Likes: 0
From: Houston TX
Re: Battery keeps discharging? (C5Rated)
You are going to have to measure your current drain to see if you have any excess drain. Normal after everything powers down is 25-27 mA (some hot all the time items never turn completely off). How old is your Red Top? If it's not new don't assume it is good just because someone told you it was. I have a 2-1/2 year old Red Top that's junk. Interstate told me that it was good but is runs down in 7 days with only a 26 mA drain to where it won't even start the car. It has no reserve capacity. Replaced it and everything is fine now. I spent a lot of time looking for excess current drains on my car based on Interstate telling me the Red Top was good. I never could find any so I finally replaced it. If you measure your drain you will see that things are turned off sequencially by the PCM. Also, with alarm on it should be about 92 mA drain.
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Oct 2000
Posts: 215
Likes: 0
From: Greeley CO
Re: Battery keeps discharging? (55SUX)
I replaced the red top (six months old) with a new yellow top yesterday because I 'assumed' that it was the battery but now not sure since I took the red top in and it tested fine. This was per Optima (had to take it to one of their resellers in the area since I originally bought it from LAPD). Anyway, I've checked the glove box light and that doesn't seem to be it. The valentine is hard wired and always has been with nothing plugged into the cigarette lighter. I also checked all the other lights in a completely dark garage last night and didn't see anything lit. Was going to leave the yellow top in a day or two and see for sure if it drains it or not. I don't understand how to check current so may have to take it in if this battery goes dead also.
Could it be possible that the recent PCM re-programming is not turning something off? I would think that if the alternator was going bad it would give a error code on the DIC? Does this sound right? :confused:
Could it be possible that the recent PCM re-programming is not turning something off? I would think that if the alternator was going bad it would give a error code on the DIC? Does this sound right? :confused:
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Intermediate
Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 47
Likes: 0
From: Victor ny
Re: Battery keeps discharging? (C5Rated)
To check current,most any multi meter has a 0-10 amp scale. Detach one battery cable,connect one meter lead to the battery and the other to the cable. The meter is now in line with the battery and the load and you will now see a amp reading on the meter.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 2,656
Likes: 841
From: New Jersey
Re: Battery keeps discharging? (hhan)
There are some defective 12 disc CD changers which can discharge your battery. Try pulling the rectangular connector off the CD changer, and see if your problem goes away.
Pro
Joined: Jan 2000
Posts: 723
Likes: 0
From: Port Orange FL
Re: Battery keeps discharging? (ersatz928)
I just started having problems with my battery at start up. After reading this post and replies, I went to check to see if my battery was leaking acid like some of you suggested. It wasn't but I found out the light on the mirror(passenger side-vanity light) was on. Would not see this in the daytime. Hope that's the problem with my battery.
Intermediate
Joined: Mar 2002
Posts: 46
Likes: 0
From: Front Royal Va.
Re: Battery keeps discharging? (C5Rated)
My battery did the same. Some times the car ran for days without a problem, other times it would be dead 3 or 4 mornings in a row. This went on for about a year. After numerous trips to the dealer got me nowhere, I had a new clutch and diff installed and while the mechanic worked on it he told me my battery cable to the starter was loose. He tightened it and I've had no problem since. My Vette is a 2000 and I bought it new so I know for a fact the cable had never been disconnected. Guess it just loosened over time.
Gary
Gary
Gary
Gary
Melting Slicks
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 2,656
Likes: 841
From: New Jersey
Re: Battery keeps discharging? (c5eddie)
That really should not have discharged your battery, as the BCM turns off these lamps if they are left on after the car is shut off. ("Monitored Load shut-off feature).
