Four Dead Batteries in One Month

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TruckNewbie

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This has probably been asked and addressed, but I can't seem to find anything.

I've had a 2016 3/4 ton for almost a year. No electrical issues at all. But I went on a trip and the batteries were deader than dead. It was in the garage the entire time, doors were locked, no problems at all. I checked the voltage and one came in at 9, and the second came in at 8. But they could have been old batteries (the previous owner/manufacturer didn't indicate on the batteries when they were installed.

But that's a thing with batteries...totally happens...no biggie.

I bought new batteries and things were back to normal. I drove it for about a week, and then it sat outside for about 3 days in colder weather (I don't think things dropped below freezing) and the batteries are dead. No lights on, doors were locked, truck was off, and nothing else stands out that would've drained the battery Voltage was reading at approx 10.***.

I jumped the truck, check the voltage while it's running and the alternator is kicking out 14, so I would think it's at the very least maintaining the batteries.

Other than the cooler weather, I'm scratching my head on what would have killed the new batteries. Anyone have an idea of how/what I could troubleshoot?
 

turkeybird56

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You have to have something pulling draw, a parasitic draw if U believe all things are shut down. New batteries unless you got Bad ones, should have no issues sitting three days. There are a bunch of threads in this Forum ref parasitic draw. Most involve volt meters and pulling fuses. You would have to read/research.
 
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I'll take a look! Thanks!
 

Elvira

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Yes, a battery draw could be a culprit in your problem. Also if the batteries are new, not a long shelf life, did you charge completely before installing ? It is always recommended to bring to full charge prior to installing, some believe driving will do the same thing...i always charge them fully before using. A few days in cold weather with a battery only mostly charged, may lose enough to give you grief when you need it the most.
 

csuder99

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The best way to troubleshoot it is to have some sort of current measurement on the battery positive, either an inline ammeter or a current clamp. Disconnect the second battery just in case there is something connected there. Then pull fuses one by one and see if the current draw changes.
Note that on modern vehicles the electronic modules need to "go to sleep" and if something keeps them awake they will drain the battery. A good test is to let the vehicle sit with ignition off, doors closed and see if over time (20-30 minutes) the current draw changes. Normal standby is somewhere 50 milliamp-ish (0.05 A).
Any aftermarket modifications or any gizmos connected to the OBD port ?
 

El_Lobo_Gris1500C

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Voltage goes in and out of batteries in a normal cycle. If your batteries keep dying, and the batteries themselves aren’t the issue, then you are either not getting enough charge into them (alternator) or there is something drawing power when it shouldn’t. (Or a combination of both maybe).
 

Jeepwalker

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The best way to troubleshoot it is to have some sort of current measurement on the battery positive, either an inline ammeter or a current clamp. Disconnect the second battery just in case there is something connected there. Then pull fuses one by one and see if the current draw changes.
Note that on modern vehicles the electronic modules need to "go to sleep" and if something keeps them awake they will drain the battery. A good test is to let the vehicle sit with ignition off, doors closed and see if over time (20-30 minutes) the current draw changes. Normal standby is somewhere 50 milliamp-ish (0.05 A).
Any aftermarket modifications or any gizmos connected to the OBD port ?

(Good advice!)

This is the path to follow .... Start with common draws like Courtesy Lights, and Accessories, Radio, LCD, etc.
 
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Thanks everyone! Really good advice!

I’ll take a look and hopefully close this out.
 

Lyle Longboat

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Find a fix for this issue? I would look at starter if no juice when turning key. I had the same issue, went through a brand new battery in a week, started checking everything and the starter was toast, no lights, just a click. Not sure if you found a fix or not.
 

bruce219

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check and see if there was an amplifier installed, these are usually culprit for a parasitic draw.
 
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TruckNewbie

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Find a fix for this issue? I would look at starter if no juice when turning key. I had the same issue, went through a brand new battery in a week, started checking everything and the starter was toast, no lights, just a click. Not sure if you found a fix or not.
It ended up being what Elvira mentioned - about charging completely before installing. I hadn't done that. I've usually installed batteries right off the shelf and had not yet incurred this problem.
Yes, a battery draw could be a culprit in your problem. Also if the batteries are new, not a long shelf life, did you charge completely before installing ? It is always recommended to bring to full charge prior to installing, some believe driving will do the same thing...i always charge them fully before using. A few days in cold weather with a battery only mostly charged, may lose enough to give you grief when you need it the most.

But I gave the batteries a good charge and haven't found any parasitic draws. So simple fix this time around!
 

turkeybird56

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It ended up being what Elvira mentioned - about charging completely before installing. I hadn't done that. I've usually installed batteries right off the shelf and had not yet incurred this problem.


But I gave the batteries a good charge and haven't found any parasitic draws. So simple fix this time around!
U got lucky, BUT I would keep an eyeball on it, just because, LOL.
 

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