Battery draining

[01LSIMPALA]

I've got a 01 Impala that my wife recently left the key on all night and it ran down the battery. The next morning I gave it a jump and it was fine. So I thought. Since then if the car sits for more than 6-8 hours it hesitates to start like it has a low battery. If it sits for more than 24-36 hours it is dead. I fully charged the battery and it tested good. I then checked the alternator while running and I had a constant 14.5 volts. It is looking like a short or something draining the battery. Is there any common place where to start looking for this problem? I just wondered if anyone has ever had this problem.

Thanks,
-Chad

[crazy Jim]

sometimes a battery will get a dead short internally but appear to be ok by checking its voltage.

[01LSIMPALA]

Originally Posted by crazy Jim

sometimes a battery will get a dead short internally but appear to be ok by checking its voltage.

So I will unhook the battrery and let it sit for a couple of days and if the battery is not at fault I should have at least 11-12volts and if it is bad it will be dead Like it has been doing. Should work right?

[crazy Jim]

if the battery does not show at least 12 volts its probably bad. Good idea about charging it up and leaving it disconnected for a day or two.

[01LSIMPALA]

Charged the battery last night. It was reading 13 volts when I went to bed. This morning, it is at 11 volts. I will check it when I get home from work.

[57chevyragtop]

You don't mention the age of the battery, is this the original equipment? If so, I would think it's an internal short and gotten good life out of it. 5 years is pretty good for AC Delco in my experience, 4 years is the norm. I know some here will disagree but I replaced my 02 OEM in Feb 06". I got this one at Napa but usually get replacements at Wal-Mart which I have always had good luck with. I started doing this 20 years ago when a friend who owns 6 corvettes 55 thru 67 explained the economics of cheap batteries. even if they last only 2 years at half the price you win.

[richtazz]

the battery should be at 12.6 to 13.2 volts fully charged (each of the 6 cells produces 2.1-2.2 volts). If it sits and drains when unhooked, it has an internal short and needs to be replaced. A good battery can set for months with little or no drop in voltage. If it only drops when hooked up in the car, you have a draw. The trunk and glovebox lights are common draws.

['97ventureowner]

Originally Posted by 57chevyragtop

5 years is pretty good for AC Delco in my experience, 4 years is the norm. I know some here will disagree but I replaced my 02 OEM in Feb 06". I got this one at Napa but usually get replacements at Wal-Mart which I have always had good luck with.

Wow. I have just the opposite luck with my batteries than you do. My original equipment Delcos average 8 years or so , as do many of my associate's Delcos. I just replaced the 9 year old battery in one of my vehicles and it was still holding a good and starting the vehicle every time. Never had any luck with WalMart's Neverstart,oops I mean Everstart batteries. They usually last almost until the end of their free replacememnt period then I get another one, only to do the same thing. This happened over a period of a few years to a couple of my vehicles, and just gave up on them. Yeah I get another battery to replace it, but why bother when you have to continuosly take it back out and get a new one? I resolved to only use Delcos from now on and they are only about 10 to 15 dollars more in price, and that's worth it to me to get the long life out of them.

[01LSIMPALA]

Well it was the battery. I unhooked it for 2 days and it dropped to 10.8volts which was enough to keep it from turning over. Don't forget, the auto parts store, with thier high tech equipment said it was fine.

I called Chevy and a new battery was $90 with a 18mth. replacement/6yr pro rated. The local parts store was $49 for a 2yr replacement/6yr pro rated. What is wrong with that.