Battery is draining overnight

[xsidewinder]

I am having a problem with my 2002 silverado battery draining overnight, I installed a new battery last winter and it has tested good. My alternator is putting out 14.5 volts on my hand held voltmeter and the battery shows about 12.9 volts with the engine not running. I have a aftermarket remote car starter which was installed when new and I have disabled it while troubleshooting this problem. I just returned last night from a 750 mile trip and the battery is dead this morning, and it was dead the morning after I reached my brother in laws house 750 miles away 5 days ago. I do not have any other 12 volt devices operating in my truck. By the way the only wrench that has touched my truck is a oil filter wrench.

[99redsilverado]

you have a draw somewhere...start pulling fuses til it doesnt drain then go from there

[sportin83]

do u have any audio equiptment, sometimes a radio can do this or and amp if not hooked up correctly. do you have a bose stereo, this could also cause this is the amp is bad, or going bad

[xsidewinder]

Originally Posted by sportin83

do u have any audio equiptment, sometimes a radio can do this or and amp if not hooked up correctly. do you have a bose stereo, this could also cause this is the amp is bad, or going bad

The only non factory equipment on my truck is the remote starter.

[jeverett]

Are you sure you've disabled it while troubleshooting? It could still be drawing a small amount. My uncle's truck did this and it was some internal screw up inside the radio. Factory replaced it and problem solved.
Also check for a bad ground anywhere aftermarket accessories have been added.

[sportin83]

i would pull the constant power radio fuse, or both and see what that does.

[pies]

disconnect your alternator for the night. it might have a shorting diode. the alternator will still function fine, but it will discharge the battery when the vehicle is not running.

[xsidewinder]

Originally Posted by xsidewinder

I am having a problem with my 2002 silverado battery draining overnight, I installed a new battery last winter and it has tested good. My alternator is putting out 14.5 volts on my hand held voltmeter and the battery shows about 12.9 volts with the engine not running. I have a aftermarket remote car starter which was installed when new and I have disabled it while troubleshooting this problem. I just returned last night from a 750 mile trip and the battery is dead this morning, and it was dead the morning after I reached my brother in laws house 750 miles away 5 days ago. I do not have any other 12 volt devices operating in my truck. By the way the only wrench that has touched my truck is a oil filter wrench.

I just came back from having the battery load tested and it tested good.

[nosefirst]

Try using your dome-overide. One of my door switches is bad, and I didn't even notice that my light was staying on overnight and my battery was always dead in the morning.

Havn't had a chance to replace it yet, I understand their pretty cheep.

CHEEP...CHEEP...FEED ME.

[sportin83]

the dome light should not stay on, it has a auto shut down after like 10 mins or so it kills power to all the lights unless u turn the key or reopen a door.

[sportin83]

the dome light should not stay on, it has a auto shut down after like 10 mins or so it kills power to all the lights unless u turn the key or reopen a door.

[nosefirst]

Yes, thats what my '98 Burb is supposed to do too.

It's real common with them to do that. If you go to the Suburban Forum there's 100's of posts about it.

Sometimes mine will work, but when it doesn't it drains the battery all night.

I'm saying just try it. Overide the dome light when you park it for the eve. Process of elimination. If it works in the morn then thats it. If it's dead, keep looking.