Battery draining

Tiny
BMLOGI
  • MEMBER
  • 2006 GMC YUKON
  • V8
  • AWD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 45,000 MILES
I recently had a bettery draining overnight and replaced the battery. Since then I have had to jump start the vehicle every morning. Once started and running for 10 minutes the vehicle will start up all day no problem. Once it sits overnight it needs to be jumped again. I have checked everything to make sure nothing is plugged in, lights on, xm/navigation turned off and cant find anything on. Checked all fuses and cant find the issue. I was told to remove one terminal and make sure everything is off and if I see a spark I have a short somwhere. I did do this and got sparks. All terminals are clean and tight. Thank you for your help! Will donate if helped Thanks

Brian
Monday, November 24th, 2008 AT 9:07 PM

15 Replies

Tiny
MHPAUTOS
  • MECHANIC
  • 31,937 POSTS
HI there,

Place an Amp meter between battery pos (+) and the cable, this will give you the current draw, is should be around .15 Amps if higher start pulling fuses one at a time and fusible links also to isolate the faulty circuit, do this with the key out & doors closed, also disconnect the alternator as it could be a faulty diode causing a drain back. The sparking is a sign of a current draw, the amp meter will show you how much is being drawn from the battery, this is a simple test to set up and you should be able to do it with a multi meter as they often have a 10 Amp reading, this will be more than enough to do this test. If you pull a fuse and the amps drop away that is the problem circuit, get to this point if you can and re post your findings. This guide will help us

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

mark (mhpautos)
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Monday, November 24th, 2008 AT 9:15 PM
Tiny
JASONHART1
  • MEMBER
  • 1 POST
  • 2005 GMC YUKON
  • V8
  • 4WD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 180,000 MILES
I have a 2005 YukonSLT and it has completely drained 2 batteries over night any Ideas on where to look first?
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Monday, June 29th, 2020 AT 11:36 AM (Merged)
Tiny
RASMATAZ
  • MECHANIC
  • 75,992 POSTS
Do battery drain test:
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Monday, June 29th, 2020 AT 11:36 AM (Merged)
Tiny
TONYBEAN
  • MEMBER
  • 1 POST
  • 2003 GMC YUKON
Engine Performance problem
2003 GMC Yukon V8 Four Wheel Drive Automatic

My battery dies out on me when I come to a stop or just standing, I had my battery checked and was told that it was ok and the Alternator is also okay. Is there anything else that I should check to see why I have to keep getting a jump and why my battery won't keep a charge.
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Monday, June 29th, 2020 AT 11:36 AM (Merged)
Tiny
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
  • MECHANIC
  • 109,700 POSTS
You may have something placing a draw on the battery and draining it overnight.

Here is a test you can do to see if there is a draw. Check it and let me know what you find.

https://www.2carpros.com/first_things/why_is_my_car_battery_dead_over_night.htm
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Monday, June 29th, 2020 AT 11:36 AM (Merged)
Tiny
MOTOR1313
  • MEMBER
  • 2 POSTS
  • 2002 GMC YUKON
  • V8
  • 4WD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 118,000 MILES
My battery drains in about forty eight hours. The battery checks good, I have even switched batteries to no avail. The alternator has checked okay by a professional. The connections on the battery all are clean and tight. We have put an amp meter on it, and it shows only.2 draw with everything visually off. Fuses are all tight. Radio off and all auxiliary outlets are disconnected. Checked vanity lights, dome lights, hood light, all off. Help!
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Tuesday, June 30th, 2020 AT 12:06 PM (Merged)
Tiny
BUZZSAW
  • MECHANIC
  • 1,198 POSTS
It sounds like you might have a CD stuck in the player causing the small motor to run trying to eject. Here is a guide that will help you find the problem:

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

Please run down this guide and report back.

Cheers
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Tuesday, June 30th, 2020 AT 12:06 PM (Merged)
Tiny
MOTOR1313
  • MEMBER
  • 2 POSTS
You hit that on the money. The deck was running I could hear it when I got close. Thanks again I love this site.
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Tuesday, June 30th, 2020 AT 12:06 PM (Merged)
Tiny
MASTERTECHTIM
  • MECHANIC
  • 4,749 POSTS
Use 2CarPros anytime, we are here to help. Please tell a friend.

Cheers
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Tuesday, June 30th, 2020 AT 12:06 PM (Merged)
Tiny
PATTYHYDESWHERE
  • MEMBER
  • 1 POST
  • GMC YUKON
Hi, I have a 2003 yukon denali xl, 50,049 miles. I bought a new battery assuming that was the problem. My altenator is good. I noticed a problem when looking in my car for something on that would drain the battery. When I turn my car off as I sat in my seat I heard a faint fan noise running in my car & noticed air (not cool) coming out on the side dash vents (facing doors) and foot vents. Fuses have been checked its not the fan clutch, blower & the air conditioner works fine. What could this be? I have to have my car jumped every time.
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Tuesday, June 30th, 2020 AT 12:06 PM (Merged)
Tiny
LSUSSEL
  • MECHANIC
  • 252 POSTS
Sounds like the fan is running down your battery. I would check your fans to see why they are not shutting off properly and have that fixed so it will shut off and thus not drain your battery. Hope this helps. Not sure what to try, when you turn your car off make sure you turn off the AC and or heat. Then see if the fan still runs. Do not have a lot of knowledge about this one.
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Tuesday, June 30th, 2020 AT 12:06 PM (Merged)
Tiny
FIVESTRIPES704
  • MEMBER
  • 1 POST
  • 2001 GMC YUKON
  • V8
  • 4WD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 134 MILES
Battery drains after 2-3 days of inactivity. Battery is one month old and alternator charges battery after jumpstart.
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Tuesday, June 30th, 2020 AT 12:06 PM (Merged)
Tiny
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
  • MECHANIC
  • 109,700 POSTS
You need to check for an electrical draw. Refer to our homepage under the DIY section for directions. If you establish there is a draw, remove one fuse at a time to determine the circuit that is causing the draw. Keep in mind, even though your alternator is charging, a bad diode in it could allow power to pass to ground and drain the battery.

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/car-battery-dead-overnight
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Tuesday, June 30th, 2020 AT 12:06 PM (Merged)
Tiny
EBRANDEN
  • MEMBER
  • 1 POST
  • 1996 GMC YUKON
  • 16,000 MILES
1) I had to replace the battery, but it still shows a 12 volt + drain between neg cable removed, thru meter, and battery terminal.

2) I removed all relays and fuses on the inside, made sure glove box light wasn't burning, or the underhood light. Still showing 12+ volts draw down.
3) I removed all fuses and relays under the hood at computer box. With all circuits eleminated, I'm still showing a 12+ volt draw down. I removed the alternator and had Advance Auto Parts o test the alternator, and it showed it didn't have any problems. I reinstalled it, and double checked all terminals nothing seems amiss. Do You have any Ideas that you could share. Thanks in advance Eric
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Tuesday, June 30th, 2020 AT 12:06 PM (Merged)
Tiny
SATURNTECH9
  • MECHANIC
  • 30,869 POSTS
So even with the alternator unhooked it still shows a draw?You should be checking the draw in milliamps not voltage.
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Tuesday, June 30th, 2020 AT 12:06 PM (Merged)

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