1999 Silverado Electrical Problems

[mcwyoming]

Having electrical problems. If truck sits for a day or so the battery will die. Had the system checked and the dealer said it was fine. Its on its second battery. Once I jump it its fine for a week or so, then if it sits again it dies. I have a Duralast Gold with 1000 crank amps, 800 cold and a 110 res. Doesn't matter. Checked alternator, and its putting out, checked connections, there as tight as I can get them. Where else do I look. The battery keeps dying I'm gonna have a bad cell. Any Ideas?
Help, its drivin me nuts. Oh ya, I have a gremlin in the gas gauge also. If I shake the truck it starts to work. Whats up with that?

Wyoming

[laidback117]

Don't know what to tell you about the gas gage gremlin, I had one when I first got my truck, the dealer fixed it for me and I have no idea what he did. He didn't charge so I didn't ask. As for the electrical problem, find out what your current drain. I have known CB's or after market products installed to do this from time to time. A good example is an aftermarket radio that is not hooked up right, when the radio power is taken directly from the battery instead from the ignition you will end up with a radio that doesn’t turn off when you turn the key off and walk away. I have inserted a link that may help you answer your question better than I can. This is specifically about a Range Rover, but current drain on all vehicles is pretty much alike. And so is the trouble shooting procedure.
Good luck and let me know how it turns out.
Steve
V8 Owners Forum

[Jeremy-WI]

Could be the underhood light not shutting off, brake light switch turning brake lights on, door pin switch letting interior lights stay on, oil pressure switch allowing fuel pump to run, alternator with a problem allowing a drain, dirty starter solenoid allowing current to drain

[buttnekked]

sounds more like a bad wire going to ground and draining battery. Check any wiring that has been installed for aftermarket stuff (ie lights, stereo, etc...). I used to work for AZ so the duralst battery should be ok. Have them check your electrical system with their machine also. The gas gauge gremlin is common. There are entire threads about it here and yes my 99 has it too.It's the worst from full to 3/4 tank. It has something to do with dirty contacts on the sending unit in the tank.

[laidback117]

Thanks Buttnekked, I am sure I'll run across this again with this truck so I'll have to keep that in mind.

[mcwyoming]

I'll check all those suggestions. I don't have any aftermarket stuff on it, but it could be a ground.
And my underhood light I have to kick or hit to get it to work. I'll let you know what I find out. And my gas gauge will work if I shake the truck so that does sound like a bad connection. Thanks guys

[buttnekked]

could be but most likely is dirty contact inside fuel tank. That seems to be the common cause.

[mcwyoming]

Hey, I tried taking the ground cable off, and putting a light between the battery and cable and the light went on. So I started pulling fuses. I pulled every fuse in the truck, and the light still stayed on. When I checked the truck today, I ran it the day before and all was fine, it would not turn over. The battery checked out about 11 volts or so. If I pulled every fuse and there was a drain, wouldn't that narrow it down. Ive checked everything else, and all the grounds seem to be ok. The battery does show a couple low cells in it. But everytime I take it in to dumbzone, they load test it and tell me its fine. I think because I have to charge the battery up to get the truck in there. Any other ideas ?

[desertmike1]

You could be draining through the alternator!

disconnect the large A+ lead overnite, and see what happens.

-Mike

[jers99z]

i had a problem with my 99z and i took it to the dealership and they told me it was corroded battery cables. had them cleaned and tighted and the truck is fine.