Battery drains overnight from 100% to 0%?

2011 CHEVROLET SUBURBAN
136,189 MILES • 5.3L • V8 • 4WD • AUTOMATIC
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SMALLS367
  • MEMBER
  • 1 POST
Got this suburban in December 2024. i have had drained batteries almost twice a week. I replaced the battery and then had the new one tested; it passed. Then I had the alternator tested, and it also passed. You can see the battery gauge on the dash, and it constantly charges between 13 to 15 volts. I found a drain from the radio and pulled the fuse; it seemed to help but did not cure the issue. Live data from driving and monitoring says the system is at 14.2 volts. I have taken to a local shop that specializes in electrical issues, and they said the radio sounds right, but they could not replicate it. Is there something i am missing? Please help.
Mar 19, 2025 at 2:50 AM
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BORIS K
  • CAR REPAIR CONTRIBUTOR
  • 836 POSTS
Hello,

Your battery drain is usually caused by a parasitic draw, meaning something is staying on when the vehicle is switched off.

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

Video links:
https://youtu.be/z5F7WpgjaRs?si=cGcEqDdEK2IrsX0V
and
https://youtu.be/RkzSub1dtNQ?si=4a2eJJ_YJhYN-rzf

How to use a voltmeter:
https://www.2carpros.com/articles/how-to-use-a-voltmeter

Hope this helps.

Cheers, Boris
Mar 19, 2025 at 4:51 AM
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