What will cause a battery to lose its charge when it sits?
Skip asked:
I have a 98 gmc sierra 2500 with a vortec 350. I cleaned the battery terminals & cables. It runs fine when it starts. If I let the truck sit for a couple of days without driving it the battery goes dead. I do have a remote start and stereo w/ amp also. I went to checker and had them test my battery and they said it was fine. Im not sure if I believe them or not. I am just wondering what would cause the battery to lose its power.
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I have a 98 gmc sierra 2500 with a vortec 350. I cleaned the battery terminals & cables. It runs fine when it starts. If I let the truck sit for a couple of days without driving it the battery goes dead. I do have a remote start and stereo w/ amp also. I went to checker and had them test my battery and they said it was fine. Im not sure if I believe them or not. I am just wondering what would cause the battery to lose its power.
February 16th, 2010 at 7:52 am
could be cold weather are the batterys going bad. crownvicp71
February 19th, 2010 at 4:30 am
There are several factor that cause your battery dies.
The first is that when the battery is cold, their chemical reaction slows down and they are not as powerful.
And when it is cold it doesn’t take charge as easily either. Then your on boad electronics (clocks, etc.) slowly drain the already weak battery.
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Sometimes I find that if I charge the battery in my car garage using an external charger, it will “fully” charge the battery and it won’t have any problems for up to a year.
Good luck. Helper
February 22nd, 2010 at 2:13 pm
if you have an accessable fuse to your amp you may try pulling it if you won’t be driving for a while. If you have any other quirky electronic problems it might be your body control module (happened to my monte carlo.) Other reasons could be bad ground, loose cables, or your alternator. I’m sure there are other reasons too but none come to mind mike_b_284
February 23rd, 2010 at 11:08 am
If the battery is infact good you have a draw. Take it to an Auto Zone and have them check it for free. I will tell you that remote starters can cause a vast array of electrical problems.
Take it to a reputable shop and have them do an electrical draw test if the battery checks out. ryankneale
February 25th, 2010 at 2:19 pm
your sound system could be staying on while your truck aint. try disconecting the amp’s power cord then let it sit and c if if drains it. if so just put a on/off switch in the line the cut the power to the amp [mount on dash bord or up under the dash] staples_92
February 27th, 2010 at 6:56 pm
You could have a bad battery, but if it is good you have an open short somewhere in the system, easy way to check that !
use the vehicle, then disconnect the battery for a few day’s, re-connect the battery if it starts right up, your batt is good and you have a short, if it doesn’t…your batt is bad! phaselman01@snet.net