Sitting in the H2 2005 SUT - key in ignition & battery goes dead

[tigerchick73]

Hi all,

I have owned my 2005 H2 since day one. In 2008, my battery began giving me issues. I had the key turned "back" and was listening to the football game while cleaning out the bed. The truck died. It did this off and on (again while parked, off, key in the ignition) from 2008 to 2009. Battery was changed January 2010. In June of this year, my friend & I were sitting in my truck with key in the ignition and overhead lights on. Key was turned in "up" position. Battery died. Yesterday, I was sitting in the parking lot with just the key in the ignition, not "up" or "down", and the truck died. This last time when jump starting, I noticed that all it needed to start was just cables connected to the running car. It took nothing to start it. However, battery read 9, which is definitely low. All times that the truck has died, key has been in the ignition for less than 10 minutes.

This new battery is charging at 14, which is proper. Truck was serviced last week by mechanic (my dad) and he checked all of this after my last incident, so he knows it is not the alternator or battery. He thinks it is vampire power usage. Maybe a fuse. His second thought is the amount of time the exterior lights are on. Has anyone had this?

I noticed yesterday that if I take the key out of the ignition, the radio still runs and the windows still roll down if I do not get out of the truck. I am a real estate agent & I spend alot of time sitting in my truck waiting for clients at properties. Now I am worried if I sit in my truck, no key in the ignition that the truck will die.

I read in other forums it could be an Onstar issue. I do not have Onstar activated, but this issue has occurred with and without it activated.

Has anyone else had this issue? Look forward to hearing thoughts.

[twr]

Hi welcome to the forum. The truck radio and windows will stay on for 10 mins with the key off or out of the ign. as long as you keep the drivers door closed, If you open the door everything will shut off as normal its called RAP. (Retained Accessory Power).
Having the overhead int. lights on for 10 mins will not kill a good battery, did your Dad load test the battery?

[mightyepp]

I've had similar problems. There is a ghost discharge somewhere. Just haven't found it yet. My OnStar is disconnected also, I might try taking out all the wiring and fuse associated with OnStar to see if that helps.

[The_Yeti]

Not a bad idea. It's just the fuse labeled info right? My onstar is not activated might as well kill it.

[H2005]

Also check your battery studs. I had the same issue with a dead battery and found out that my positive terminal was stripped

[NJ H2]

From memory I'm pretty sure that the Stock Radio has bee the culprit of Vampire power usage.
It's worth searching anyway

[mightyepp]

Find the culprit?