I put a red top optima in during the summer. I've got a long history with those batteries and they are rugged, take a pounding, and hold a charge a long time when not in use (used them in my old RV with three parallel).

Should have used a yellow top. They're much more rugged.

Re: H3 Dead in driveway - 3rd time now
 

OPTIMA RedTop Benefits

* Last's up to 2 times longer than other batteries.
* More power in the initial 1, 2, 5, and 10 seconds of the starting process than comparably rated conventional lead acid batteries.
* Constant performance quality keeping your battery running at the same level even as it's being discharged.
* Ideal for seasonal use, fully charged, it can remain unused for up to 12 months at room temperature (or below) and still start a vehicle.
* 15 times more resistant to vibration than other batteries.
* Nonspillable with complete fitment flexibility; can mount in almost any position

Best battery made in my opinion! Have had one in every vehicle Ive owned the last 10-15 yrs and one problem Ive never had is a dead battery, even if Ive forgotten to close the glove box or left an interior light on over night!

I noticed when buying my H3 that all the Hummers they were wanting me to test drive all seemed to have dead batteries. So even though the H3 had a brand new AC Delco, I removed it the next day to be sure a battery wouldnt be an issue!

Re: H3 Dead in driveway - 3rd time now
 

Check dimmer switch, And UNPLUG The RADAR DETECTOR! :D

Re: H3 Dead in driveway - 3rd time now
 

Just got back last night from a long trip upstate. I got in the truck today to move it and the lights were dim. Figured if I could start it, I'd be able to recharge the battery (no idea why it drained). No iPod, no TV's on. Key is stuck. Truck is dead. I'm getting tired of this crap. Calling for a tow tomorrow and will ask them not to jump it so maybe the dealer can figure out what's happening. BTW, this is the 2nd battery.

Re: H3 Dead in driveway - 3rd time now
 

ASk them to make sure the connectors inside the fuse and relay box are connected properly. When I installed my offroad lights I found the top was put on without the connector latches engaged. When I went to start the only thing that would work was locks, lights and the key wouldn't come out of the ignition.
Without the latches engaged the connectors were right on the edge of making a good connection.

Re: H3 Dead in driveway - 3rd time now
 

What a morning. The towing service didn't want to tow it, saying the street was too tight and they would need 3 people to get it on the flatbed. I told him to leave it, let them come and fix it. The last thing I wanted was a jump, so we couldn't figure out what's actually causing the problem. A few minutes later, my bell rings and he said "you steer, I push". We blocked traffic on the block, but we got it on the flatbed. Just a bit embarassing. According to their service dept, it's way beyond dead. They normally get an odometer reading and that's not even coming up. They plan on hooking it up to the various machines and seeing if they can find the issue. I'm seriously losing faith in this truck. 6400 miles and it's been towed 4 times.

Re: H3 Dead in driveway - 3rd time now
 

Sounds to me it was built on a thursday of a 4 day week...

RYD

Re: H3 Dead in driveway - 3rd time now
 

Any news?

Re: H3 Dead in driveway - 3rd time now
 

Ya haven't hit Lemon Law status yet.. Or is that just one of those urban legend deals..??

Re: H3 Dead in driveway - 3rd time now
 

Correct me if I am wrong but three times on the same vehicle with the same problem qualifies as a Lemon Law vehicle, does it not? :rant:

Re: H3 Dead in driveway - 3rd time now
 

Check your state laws. Easy enought to do on line

OR

call your local Legal Aid society...

RYD

Re: H3 Dead in driveway - 3rd time now
 

The called later on Tuesday, said they found a loose battery cable. Odd, since I've never done anything under the hood outside of removing a few leaves. They charged the battery and said everything was cool. Here's the interesting part, they said GM wants them to keep the truck overnight, drive it home and see if it occurs again. They ended up calling on Friday to say it was ready to be picked up. The problem is that it doesn't occur daily, so for them to keep it doesn't really serve a purpose. I don't think it's fixed, because it's happened 4 times and they haven't found anything. Charging the battery is not a fix, but just a means to get the truck running again. I definitely think it will happen again. I'm going to write a letter to GM, so they are on notice about the situation.

Here's what I found online regarding the lemon law for NY:
If your car does not conform to the terms of the written warranty and the manufacturer or its authorized dealer is unable to repair the car after a reasonable number of attempts during the first 18,000 miles or two years, whichever comes first, you may be entitled to a full refund or a comparable replacement car.

It is presumed that there has been a reasonable number of attempts to repair a problem if, during the first 18,000 miles of operation or two years from the original delivery date, whichever comes first, either (a) the manufacturer (or its authorized dealer) has had an opportunity to repair the same problem four or more times and the problem continued to exist at the end of the fourth repair attempt; or (b) the car was out of service by reason of repair for a cumulative total of 30 or more calendar days for one or more problems.

Should it come to this, I'm guessing it's a good idea to retain an attorney. I'm guessing GM/Dealer will be reluctant to give me a refund or replacement.

Re: H3 Dead in driveway - 3rd time now
 

After reading that lemon law, it's clear why GM requested they keep the car for a few days. Sounds like 4th time, it becomes a lemon. I've been really flexible with the dealer and hope it doesn't come to this. Next time, it's getting towed to HUMMER and I'll call an attorney. I think I've been more than flexible. Not only has this been 4 times, but a few times it's been for a few days. We're a multi-car family, so didn't need a rental. Just the same, I didn't buy a new truck so it could sit in the shop for days at a time.

FWIW, the dealer service has been very nice. I know they are trying. Also, my truck was washed before I picked it up.

Re: H3 Dead in driveway - 3rd time now
 

YES !

Thats a VERY GOOD GUESS...

:perfect10s:

RYD

Re: H3 Dead in driveway - 3rd time now
 

Not really! Force an issue in front of an arbitrator first. Their ruling must be complied with by GM, but not by you. So, go that route first, and if you lose in arbitration, go for the attorney.

However, you say you take the ipod in every night, is there a power hookup for the ipod that is still connected? I'm sure you checked that installation. (I'm not familiar with an ipod so not sure if there are any power wires or not.)


Information is contained in your owner's manual.

Have you tried step Two?

STEP TWO: If after contacting a member of dealership
management, it appears your concern cannot be
resolved by the dealership without further help, contact
the HUMMER Consumer Relations Manager by calling
1-866-HUMMER6 (486-6376), Customer Assistance
prompt. In Canada, contact GM of Canada Customer
Communication Centre in Oshawa by calling
1-800-263-3777 (English) or 1-800-263-7854 (French).
We encourage you to call the toll-free number in order to
give your inquiry prompt attention. Please have the
following information available to give the Customer
Assistance Representative:
• Vehicle Identification Number (This is available from
the vehicle registration or title, or the plate at the top
left of the instrument panel and visible through the
windshield.)
• Dealership name and location
• Vehicle delivery date and present mileage
When contacting HUMMER, please remember that your
concern will likely be resolved at a dealer’s facility.
That is why we suggest you follow Step One first if you
have a concern.
STEP THREE: Both General Motors and your dealer
are committed to making sure you are completely
satisfied with your new vehicle. However, if you continue
to remain unsatisfied after following the procedure
outlined in Steps One and Two, you should file with the
BBB Auto Line Program to enforce any additional
rights you may have. Canadian owners refer to your
Warranty and Owner Assistance Information booklet for
information on the Canadian Motor Vehicle Arbitration
Plan (CAMVAP).

The BBB Auto Line Program is an out of court program
administered by the Council of Better Business
Bureaus to settle automotive disputes regarding vehicle
repairs or the interpretation of the New Vehicle
Limited Warranty. Although you may be required to
resort to this informal dispute resolution program prior to
filing a court action, use of the program is free of
charge and your case will generally be heard within
40 days. If you do not agree with the decision given in
your case, you may reject it and proceed with any other
venue for relief available to you.Contact the BBB Auto Line Program using the toll-free
telephone number or write them at:
BBB Auto Line Program
Council of Better Business Bureaus, Inc.
4200 Wilson Boulevard
Suite 800
Arlington, VA 22203-1838
Telephone: 1-800- 955-5100
This program is available in all 50 states and the District
of Columbia. Eligibility is limited by vehicle age,
mileage, and other factors. General Motors reserves the
right to change eligibility limitations and/or discontinue
its participation in this program.

Re: H3 Dead in driveway - 3rd time now
 

I swear it's the I pod, or the tv, whoever installed them did something wrong!

Re: H3 Dead in driveway - 3rd time now
 

Sorry, that leads me to a story about how your trusted aftermarket guy and f up at any time. i sold a truck to a Doctor in town and she loved her H2. Well after the tv's were installed they had a dead battery and then could not restart after a jump. Her husband brought it in and we found nothing wrong but charged the battery and did a load test on the system. Next day the truck stalls and tey lose power stearing. he is pissed and it's towed in. My best tech cannot find anything wrong. We send it to the aftermarket people we have used for years and have sent hundreds of thousands of dollars in work to. After several promises all is well they go to AZ for a week. on the way home they lose power at 80mph and almost get killed. They come bakc demanding out of the truck. The GM put them in a new Denali and cleaned it up. tow days later a tech from the aftermarket shope comes in and we finally find out what it was. one lkittle wire under the seat too close to the seat frame rail was shorting. the first time they taped into a wire that was for the ignition system.

Re: H3 Dead in driveway - 3rd time now
 

X2 seems like it always is :iagree:

Re: H3 Dead in driveway - 3rd time now
 

This is one of those Ipod interfaces that does an FM broadcast right..?? Does it stop broadcasting and shut off when you remove the Ipod from it's cradle..?

With the truck running tune a portable radio into the ipod broadcast and the shut the truck down.. Is it still broadcasting the Ipod..??

I'm betting these guys wired into the first 12vdc they could find and that woulda been the cig lighter plugs and they are always on in the H3..

--
Rob

Re: H3 Dead in driveway - 3rd time now
 

WHAT cig lighter ???

RYD

Re: H3 Dead in driveway - 3rd time now
 

YUP I made sure they did not do that with the sirius s50 in my truck

Re: H3 Dead in driveway - 3rd time now
 

\

The hole where the cigar lighter element would go, if you purchased the cigar light package....:beerchug:

Re: H3 Dead in driveway - 3rd time now
 

cmeinck, has there been any resolution to your problem?

Re: H3 Dead in driveway - 3rd time now
 

Thank goodness I only DRINK & Chase Women !!!

Bad enought habits in themselves

RYD

Re: H3 Dead in driveway - 3rd time now
 

http://store.summitracing.com/partde...5&autoview=sku
A less expensive battery kill switch.

Re: H3 Dead in driveway - 3rd time now
 

NOW that is neat...

I wonder what gauge wire you need to run from the battery

AND

I like that you can remove the key. The installation should be high in the dash to make it time consuming for a (possible) not likely thief trying to bypass it. Also under the bonnet you would need to run the wires as hidden as possible as a time value (except your time of installation goes up.

I'm looking at this as theft deterent also as I live in the STOLEN CAR CAPITAL of the U.S.

RYD

Re: H3 Dead in driveway - 3rd time now
 

Re: H3 Dead in driveway - 3rd time now
 

I'm not sure exactly what they told me, but assured me it was not connected to anything that would cause battery drain. I confirmed this with the Hummer dealer. Again, I forget where it's wired, but it's not powered up until the truck is started. Hummer kept the truck for 3-4 days before returning at GM's request. I've had it back for a few weeks without a problem. I even got a call this week to see how things were with the truck. That never happened before.

This problem was occuring BEFORE the TVs.

Re: H3 Dead in driveway - 3rd time now
 

Well, it happened again last night. I got into the truck and click,click,click. No start. I'm so frustrated with this truck. Calling GM, then roadside assistance yet again.

Re: H3 Dead in driveway - 3rd time now
 

I hope mine doesn't start this. When I flew back in and got to my 3 it was dead as crap. no click no nothing!
Is there anyway to test to see if there is power running, how much and from where?
The only thing I had on was the radar detector and the two lil lights for the "offroad lights" switches.

Re: H3 Dead in driveway - 3rd time now
 

I called GM direct and told them I didn't want the truck. The way I see it, this is the 5th time for the same problem, fourth time the dealer has had the truck for this issue (first time they suggested I call roadside for a jump). It's got barely 8000 miles, so this truck is clearly problematic. Dealership was helpful. They simply pass the info to GM who reviews the case. A quick look at my roadside assistance history would show the problem(s).

I'll keep you updated. Truck has been towed to the dealer today.

Re: H3 Dead in driveway - 3rd time now
 

cmeinck

I don't blame you.

A dead truck can equal a dead owner depending on where you travel. Winter or Summer.

Reliability in #1 in my book.

Re: H3 Dead in driveway - 3rd time now
 

Way back there somewhere there was talk of the BCM and it being new or programmed to a specific vehicle. I thought it was a bunch of fuses and relays. Is there some ROM in there or something to program??
I also read about someone else installing the roof lights. I also had a problem getting the BCM to engage with the plugs under it. I found out how to lock them up before installing it. When I did put it in but not fully engaged I got all kinds of weird things going on. I wonder if that could still be part of this problem. If any one of those leads into those huge connectors is pushed out of contact or pinched and shorting to another one it could cause this. It could even be a shorted relay or one that hangs. It looks like installing a temporary amp meter in line with the battery would show if there was any drain while the system is off. I guess it would have to be a sensitive digital to be accurate. I would think the dealer would know what is supposed to be the draw on the PCM when off and maybe the alarm. Then check for any additional draw. Then of course it could be aliens. Do you park under large power lines are live next to a large deposit of iron ore?? It is probably a pulled stripped wire somewhere that would be good training for GM techs to figure out on there own time back in Detroit!! Sorry you are having this problem.

Re: H3 Dead in driveway - 3rd time now
 

Ok, I'm confused.:jump:

All BCMs are programmed specific to a vehicle, the difference with the H3 BCM and most others is, once the BCM is programmed to the specific VIN, it cannot be reprogrammed to another VIN. So, the old trick of checking out if a BCM is failed on one vehicle, by putting in a known good BCM from another vehicle, reprogramming it, has been taken away.

As for current draw. I sure hope the dealer has performed a VAT test on the battery/charging/starting system to see if there is a larger than normal drain. All vehicles have a parasitic drain, but in most cars, the parasitic drain is higher for the first twenty minutes, then the controllers go to sleep, and the parasitic drain drops off.
If after twenty minutes, there is no excessive parasitic drain, then there is usually something wrong in the starting circuit or the charging circuit, and this can be check with a vehicle start (to see if the starter circuit is drawing excessive amps), and the charing circuit (to see that the charging circuit, including the generator is supplying the correct amps to the battery).

If all these tests check out, then there is a possibility that one of the controllers is waking up prematurely and causing a large amp draw. Extremely uncommon, but it can happen.

Battery failure is one of the highest warranty items facing any auto manufacturer, but this many batteries in one vehicle in this short of time, tells me that there is definitely a battery drain somewhere in the circuitry, and it appears that the dealer cannot find it or test for it correctly. My recommendation would be another dealer. If two dealers tell you there is nothing wrong, and you aren't leaving your lights on, then the vehicle is one of those very few that have an electrical problem that cannot be fixed. I have heard of them from other engineers, never seen one personally, but I guess they are out there.

Re: H3 Dead in driveway - 3rd time now
 

Well, my truck is ready to be picked up. Dead cell in the battery. Yes, this is battery #2 we are talking about. No rhyme or reason given for why this has happened. They suggested I drive the truck more often? The truck has been driven, was not sitting and still was DOA yesterday.

I'm picking it up tomorrow and waiting to hear back from GM.

If GM ever wants me to purchase and/or recommend one of their cars during my lifetime, they will do the right thing. Replacing batteries until it becomes my problem is not the right thing.

Re: H3 Dead in driveway - 3rd time now
 

cmeinck
Mine went dead once and I put in a new Optima. No further problems. I did not want to replace junk with another piece of junk. I certainly didn't want a dead battery in the middle of Death Valley or Nevada.

I will dump off the orignal battery next time I go to the dealer.

Re: H3 Dead in driveway - 3rd time now
 

GM called to confirm my request to have them buy back the truck. They indicated they spoke to the dealer and "the battery was replaced". Clearly, they are not taking this matter seriously. At no time did the rep mention the 5 times the car has gone dead or the 4 times it has been towed to the dealer. I have a bad feeling I'm about to get hosed. She said if I'd like, I can have it escalated and receive a response by Monday. They told me 48 hours on Tuesday and now it's an additional 48 hours. I'm trying to be nice about the whole matter, but I'm getting a bit annoyed. She acted as if it were the first time it happened and it's magically gone by inserting a new battery. I explained that my old Ford Escape has never once been DOA after 60,000 miles. The H3 has been dead 5 times with only 7500 miles. I informed her to look at the roadside assistance records on the vehicle. 5 times for a dead vehicle. Hmmmmm, does that sound reliable? I explained that I had yet to contact an attorney, but would if necessary. Simply put, give me a truck that works or a refund. Clearly, there is a problem with this one.

Not to mention, I lose on this too. I've added all types of accessories -- roof racks, marker lamps, chrome hood handles, chrome handles on roof, chrome gas cap, chrome seat control bezel, chrome speaker surrounds, HUMMER letters, chrome lower grill inset, dual headrest DVD players. If they do buy it back or give me a new truck, I don't know what I'm going to do about all my extras. I love my H3, but it should have been yellow because it's a major lemon.

Re: H3 Dead in driveway - 3rd time now
 

you are being way too nice with the dealer and gm. you need to escalate. threaten to go to the media if they dont take it back. that always works wonders. i had a mercedes suv. i won't go into what the problem was, but when it recurred a second time i demanded to talk to the regional service mgr. they took the car in, brought in engineers to look at it, couldnt duplicate it. i said i do not want it back. and if i'm forced to take it back i will make it public. they asked what i wanted after a year into my lease. i said all my payments, including down payment, fees etc etc. two weeks later i had a certified check from MB. they did however have me sign an agreement not to go to the media or discuss the settlement publicly. that was about 7 years ago. scream and threaten -- thats the only way to get action. i've been following this thread to see how you've been doing. not only do i sympathize, but i got an h3 early in december so i too have a vested interest. in fact for the past week, i've been down with the flu and havent driven the h3. but after reading your problem i've had my wife start is every night just to make sure it isnt dead. it's fine. it's an '07 with at. good luck!!!!!!:beerchug:

Re: H3 Dead in driveway - 3rd time now
 

cmeinck

And GM wonders why their sales are down?

What the cost to replace a truck compared to a dissatisfied customer who will probably never buy a GM product again and tell all his friends of the bad experience??

High Quality and Good customer service can solve the problem and possibly keep the customer and get repeat business.

GM are you listening?