Dead battery, again ... locating parasitic draw

[HUMMERcustoms.com/TAZ]

Sorry to get in here late. Most likely they will tell You a faulty front passenger seat adjustment switch. I do not understand why there has not been a recall on these. It seems if you have a passenger and they adjust seat the switch will be stuck in a closed position and draw current for 2 or 3 days and if not driven daily battery will be dead. I worked with my dealer on this trying different things to help them have an answer. They suspected it but, i played with it by wiggling the switch after shut down of engine and other things. I finally confirmed that it was seat switch they changed out and never had a problem a gain.

But, I do know others on this forum have found other things that caused problem. My dealer for 2 years now have found this to be the problem most of the time not always.

TAZ

[TXSUT]

Thanks Taz, I'll pass that along to them. They've charged the battery and keeping it overnight to see if the problem repeats. I guess they have to rule out a weak off-the-shelf battery first.

[mdoyle]

Someone else already mentioned the same problem I'm having- sometimes when I turn off the ignition and take out the key, the shift position indicator will still be lit and a red battery light is displayed.

It's not a big deal to cycle the key again and it goes off, but if anyone else drives it, there is a risk they'll kill the battery if they don't notice it.

It's out of warranty and I mentioned it to the dealer while in for other service, he said it needs adjustment

I recall seeing a TSB about ignition switches, but I'll be damned if I can find it.

[TXSUT]

When I took mine in a few weeks ago, they supposedly couldn't find any problems. They put a charger on the new Optima battery overnight, thinking that maybe the battery was just weak from sitting on the shelf. Whatever. It took about two weeks, but the battery is drained again. When I called this morning to schedule an appointment, the service manager is already pointing a finger at my non-dealer-installed DVD headrests. Anything to keep it from being claimed under warranty, I guess. Taking it on Wednesday.

[TXSUT]

Okay, just got a call from my service guy saying that they replaced the (brand new) Optima Yellow Top, and that my problem was that that battery did not have enough cold cranking amps for my truck. Does that make any sense?

[PARAGON]

Originally Posted by TXSUT

Okay, just got a call from my service guy saying that they replaced the (brand new) Optima Yellow Top, and that my problem was that that battery did not have enough cold cranking amps for my truck. Does that make any sense?

Nope, been running a Yellow Top with not enough cold cranking amps for 3 years with no problem. I haven't read the rest of this thread yet. But sounds like a copout for something.

[PARAGON]

Pete, a battery place can load test the battery, but your battery is not the problem.

Unless your truck has been sitting still for the 2 weeks, it didn't drain over that time. Your alternator should recharge it and if the battery has a bad cylinder it would not retain a charge for very long EVERY TIME. It sounds as though your problem is more intermittent which leads to some type of draw.

I had it and it was the rear air still cycling overnight while the truck was off. Relays can stick open periodically.

They are just trying to give you an excuse because they can't find one themselves, most likely.

[PARAGON]

Originally Posted by TXSUT

Okay, just got a call from my service guy saying that they replaced the (brand new) Optima Yellow Top, and that my problem was that that battery did not have enough cold cranking amps for my truck. Does that make any sense?

Take that "brand new" optima to an optima battery dealer and have them test it.

Cold Cranking Amps really have nothing to do with it, in your situation. CCA is the number of amps a battery can provide at 0 degrees for 30 seconds and not drop below 7.2 volts.

[TXSUT]

Thanks Paragon, I appreciate it greatly. I felt like they were copping out, just as they did two weeks ago when all they did was put an overnight charge on the new Optima battery.

As it was before I took it in this morning, if I let the truck sit for anything less than 4 hours, it would start with no problem. Leave it overnight and it would have a tough time. It sat for about 12 hours last night, and this morning I had to jump start it.

Regardless, I guess all I can do at this point is take delivery and wait for this new battery they just installed to die on me...then take it back in and raise holy hell.