Battery keeps dying!

[goldenbow888]

Hi everyone!

I was hoping somebody on this forum could help me out with a problem I've been having with my 1997 Suburban (5.7L Gas).

Somehow, whenever I leave the vehicle unused for only a few days (less than a week), the battery gets discharged to the point that I can't start it anymore!

And no, I don't leave the lights on, nor are there any electronic devices like a car alarm installed.

I thought it might be a faulty alternator so I did a quick test the other time it happened:

I started the car, waited a minute, turned on all lights and unhooked the positive from the battery. The car didn't die. That should mean the alternator is doing it's job!

I can't think of any reason that my battery keeps draining itself so quickly!

Any help or ideas would be greatly appreciated! Thanks!

[subbi12]

Originally Posted by goldenbow888

Hi everyone!

I was hoping somebody on this forum could help me out with a problem I've been having with my 1997 Suburban (5.7L Gas).

Somehow, whenever I leave the vehicle unused for only a few days (less than a week), the battery gets discharged to the point that I can't start it anymore!

And no, I don't leave the lights on, nor are there any electronic devices like a car alarm installed.

I thought it might be a faulty alternator so I did a quick test the other time it happened:

I started the car, waited a minute, turned on all lights and unhooked the positive from the battery. The car didn't die. That should mean the alternator is doing it's job!

I can't think of any reason that my battery keeps draining itself so quickly!

Any help or ideas would be greatly appreciated! Thanks!

I had the same problem and found the lighted mirror on the visor remained on. Taped it down and never had the probelm again. Good luck

[j cAT]

Originally Posted by goldenbow888

Hi everyone!

I was hoping somebody on this forum could help me out with a problem I've been having with my 1997 Suburban (5.7L Gas).

Somehow, whenever I leave the vehicle unused for only a few days (less than a week), the battery gets discharged to the point that I can't start it anymore!

And no, I don't leave the lights on, nor are there any electronic devices like a car alarm installed.

I thought it might be a faulty alternator so I did a quick test the other time it happened:

I started the car, waited a minute, turned on all lights and unhooked the positive from the battery. The car didn't die. That should mean the alternator is doing it's job!

I can't think of any reason that my battery keeps draining itself so quickly!

Any help or ideas would be greatly appreciated! Thanks!

the altenator is one main part , that will cause this problem , as the diodes in the regulator begin to fail, also you must use a voltmeter to properly troubleshoot this type of problem as your technic is not recommended .there is potential to damage the pcm and alternator.......the voltage to battery engine running at full charge should be 14.5volts engine off the battery with ground terminal removed should read 12.5volts full charge, if less battery n/g. with battery connected and headlights on battery should stay above 12volts if not battery n/g. have load tested. a bad battery will damage the altenater............if all i mentioned is good then you must measure current drain engine off this can vary but 10- 50ma is usually found.........if higher like 350ma start removing fuses to narrow down bad circuit........... if you can do all this you have a future in this type of work.

[Happy Meal]

Originally Posted by goldenbow888

Hi everyone!


whenever I leave the vehicle unused for only a few days (less than a week), the battery gets discharged to the point that I can't start it anymore!

A common issue and the list of possible culprits is long. Good news is each is easy to fix. Search the forum for "slow battery drain". Lots of good info.

I had a vanity mirror light that had a poor fitting hinge, causing my drain. By then the battery had been drained too many times to be any good. Fixed the hinge, bought a new battery, and removed an after-market alarm and all is good.

[J-Ri]

I second what j cAT said, except an alternator charging as low as 13.5V will charge the battery sufficiently. In some cases (but usually on toyota and nissan) as low as 13.1V is all it will put out. Ideally it would be closer to 14.5, but it may not need an alternator based soley on a lower voltage output.

Never check the alternator by disconnecting the battery. It can damage the alternator's insides when it is reconnected.

One more test to do is to turn everything on. High beams, 4-way flashers, radio, windshield wipers, rear window defrost, everything. Run the engine at 1500-2000 RPM and make sure the voltage stays above 13V. This is to test to make sure that the alternator can keep up with a higher amperage demand.

Yet another test is to put one lead of your voltmeter on one battery terminal and put the other next to the other terminal (but only touch the plastic case, not the terminal). If the meter reads any voltage, clean the battery and terminals with a mixture of baking soda and water, and then rinse it off with plain water. If electrolyte leaks out the vents, it basically forms a big resistor on the battery case, which can kill the battery in only a few days.