Issues with batteries...
- Thread starter mrsilv04
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Originally Posted By: meep
echo NYEngineer. That's the best path.
M
Yes, agreed. That's on my to-do list for this afternoon. I am going to get my hands on a multimeter with a 10amp setting and give it a whirl.
To add to it, I have been told to disregard all readings for at least the first 20 minutes, to allow the electronics (OnStar, etc) on the truck to go into a sleep mode. After that, is when an accurate reading can be taken.
Then, after that, start pulling fuses.
echo NYEngineer. That's the best path.
M
Yes, agreed. That's on my to-do list for this afternoon. I am going to get my hands on a multimeter with a 10amp setting and give it a whirl.
To add to it, I have been told to disregard all readings for at least the first 20 minutes, to allow the electronics (OnStar, etc) on the truck to go into a sleep mode. After that, is when an accurate reading can be taken.
Then, after that, start pulling fuses.
Why wait? Pull fuses until it says "Dave, my mind is going." If it's an Onstar fuse ignore it unless that's the only draw that can be found.
So what is/was the final resolution?
Originally Posted By: John K
So what is/was the final resolution?
Thanks for asking. I've been away for the weekend, and away from the computer.
There's some good news.
The third battery hasn't failed... yet.
I was able to get my hands on a borrowed Fluke meter, and check for parasitic draw at the battery. Did not find anything that was out of the ordinary. After all of the electronic go into sleep mode, which occurred after less than a minute, I was seeing only 10-20mA of draw on the battery. I tested using the Fluke meter at random intervals for about 30 minutes, and couldn't catch anything out of the ordinary.
I found that my Tekonsha trailer brake controller was drawing a constant +/-10mA, but that can't be enough draw to cause the problem here.
I had my alternator output checked, on the possibility that it is *overcharging* and therefore cooking the batteries, but it was charging well within spec.
That's all the farther I was able to get, before I had to re-direct my time towards getting out of town for the weekend. I didn't take the truck, but when I got home last night, it started right up after sitting for three days. I hope that is a good sign.
So what is/was the final resolution?
Thanks for asking. I've been away for the weekend, and away from the computer.
There's some good news.
The third battery hasn't failed... yet.
I was able to get my hands on a borrowed Fluke meter, and check for parasitic draw at the battery. Did not find anything that was out of the ordinary. After all of the electronic go into sleep mode, which occurred after less than a minute, I was seeing only 10-20mA of draw on the battery. I tested using the Fluke meter at random intervals for about 30 minutes, and couldn't catch anything out of the ordinary.
I found that my Tekonsha trailer brake controller was drawing a constant +/-10mA, but that can't be enough draw to cause the problem here.
I had my alternator output checked, on the possibility that it is *overcharging* and therefore cooking the batteries, but it was charging well within spec.
That's all the farther I was able to get, before I had to re-direct my time towards getting out of town for the weekend. I didn't take the truck, but when I got home last night, it started right up after sitting for three days. I hope that is a good sign.
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