Battery Problem

dura21 · 07-05-2008, 10:15 AM

I have an 03 and have been having problems with my battery going dead. Yesterday i was cleaning the inside and had the doors open for about an hour. went to start and battery was dead. Two weeks ago had radio on with key on acc for 30 min and same thing happened. Batteries where tested and came out fine. does anyone know what could be going on?http://www.mysmiley.net/imgs/smile/sign/sign0085.gif

Johnasara · 07-05-2008, 10:18 AM

Did you check the alternator. You may not be charging properly

dura21 · 07-05-2008, 10:22 AM

no but i will. wouldn't the alt affect it more than just when i am using just a little bit of the battery?

dura21 · 07-05-2008, 10:24 AM

what is the correct way to test the alt?

Johnasara · 07-05-2008, 10:31 AM

Your alternator should be running between 13.5 and 18 volts you can put a meter on the battery while the truck is running and check the voltage. If it is not charging properly your batteries will not charge completely. So when you let it set with Acessories running you kill the batteries.You can also check the gauge on the dash make sure it is a Little after the center mark. If it is I would start looking at the wiring between the alternator and the battery.

K9Duramax · 07-05-2008, 10:34 AM

Were the batteries tested seperate (disconnected and tested with meter)? Had a similiar problem and found out that they were testing "each one", however never disconnected them to actually "test them seperate" and see the condition of them individually.

**Tow Master** · 07-05-2008, 11:56 PM

Hmm Its probably your batteries just getting old. Like stated above where they tested seperatly?

Usally when they test the battery they put a load on it for a few seconds and see if the batterys volts drop below 12 volts. Yours might be holding for a few seconds and dropping over time. Id say replace them especially if there the OEM batteries.

Ray,IN · 07-06-2008, 07:02 AM

My 92 began doing the same last month. I had Interstate check both OEM batteries, the guy said both tested good.
Two weeks later-dead again. I returned to Interstate, this time watching the guy test batteries. He never disconnected both batteries, only one gnd at a time, same procedure when replacing each. He stated this was normal procedure and completely accurate. Anyway, both OEM batteries were shorted.
That's when he told me buying higher CCA batteries than OEM size was a waste of money. Stopped by my local Chevy service dept. and asked service manager (who BTW recommended Interstate batteries) about battery CCA. He verified the OEM size comment by Interstate guy this way:
"Larger CCA batteries, in the same size case always have thinner components packed into that same size case, which can mean premature battery failure or shorter lifespan".