03 GMC Yukon Battery Drain - Pirate4x4.Com : 4x4 and Off-Road Forum

HappyGilmore · 08-15-2012, 07:50 AM

I have a Yukon XL that I'm not sure if the battery is being drained by something or if my less than 2 year old Delco battery is going to crap. I have a large Fosgate amp hooked into the factory radio and an Ipod adaptor. I just need to know the best way to check and see why I get left with a dead battery. I have a Fluke multimeter but lack in the electrical knowledge to go about what to do and am asking for some suggestions as to where to start.

J P · 08-15-2012, 08:28 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by HappyGilmore

I have a Yukon XL that I'm not sure if the battery is being drained by something or if my less than 2 year old Delco battery is going to crap. I have a large Fosgate amp hooked into the factory radio and an Ipod adaptor. I just need to know the best way to check and see why I get left with a dead battery. I have a Fluke multimeter but lack in the electrical knowledge to go about what to do and am asking for some suggestions as to where to start.

Start by disconnecting your neg. battery cable turn everything off, pull the fuse to your radio ( they draw a little juice always / clock ) put a test light as a jumper between neg cable and battery if the light is on you have a draw . start unpluging fuses until the light goes out , when the light goes out you found the draw ! ALL DOORS , HOOD anything that makes a light come on have to be off/ closed .

MTMudpuppy · 08-15-2012, 08:48 AM

The only problem doing it that way is you are always going to have phantom drains on a newer rig like that. Computer, clock and such.

A better way to do it would be to charge the battery up on a manual battery charger till it gets warm to the touch. Let it cool over night and check the voltage. Should still be somewhere around 12.8 or higher. If it is considerably less then the battery is dying. If the lights got left on once, for instance, and driving around in the car charging it with the alternator, it would never get charged up and continue to die over night. Good luck. I doubt it is the battery.

HappyGilmore · 08-15-2012, 09:10 AM

Thanks guys I will do some work tonight and in the morning checking on your reccomendations.

billy bones · 08-15-2012, 09:29 AM

The most accurate way is to use your multimeter.

It is outlined here:
http://www.pirate4x4.com/forum/showp...91&postcount=2

flatlander757 did a good job of explaining this, and I'm too lazy to retype it.

08-15-2012, 07:50 AM	#1 (permalink)
HappyGilmore Registered User Join Date: Dec 2008 Member # 125043 Location: Iowa Posts: 5	03 GMC Yukon Battery Drain I have a Yukon XL that I'm not sure if the battery is being drained by something or if my less than 2 year old Delco battery is going to crap. I have a large Fosgate amp hooked into the factory radio and an Ipod adaptor. I just need to know the best way to check and see why I get left with a dead battery. I have a Fluke multimeter but lack in the electrical knowledge to go about what to do and am asking for some suggestions as to where to start.

08-15-2012, 08:48 AM	#3 (permalink)
MTMudpuppy Granite Guru Join Date: Jan 2009 Member # 126578 Location: Montana Posts: 772	The only problem doing it that way is you are always going to have phantom drains on a newer rig like that. Computer, clock and such. A better way to do it would be to charge the battery up on a manual battery charger till it gets warm to the touch. Let it cool over night and check the voltage. Should still be somewhere around 12.8 or higher. If it is considerably less then the battery is dying. If the lights got left on once, for instance, and driving around in the car charging it with the alternator, it would never get charged up and continue to die over night. Good luck. I doubt it is the battery. __________________ 1988 4runner, duals, V6, 36's, and some other stuff 2004 chevrolet 2500HD, 6.0, tow pig!

08-15-2012, 09:29 AM	#5 (permalink)
billy bones Bobbing for Fries Join Date: May 2011 Member # 190574 Location: Salt City NY Posts: 422	The most accurate way is to use your multimeter. It is outlined here: http://www.pirate4x4.com/forum/showp...91&postcount=2 flatlander757 did a good job of explaining this, and I'm too lazy to retype it. __________________ If everyone is thinking alike, then somebody isn't thinking.

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08-15-2012, 09:10 AM	#4 (permalink)
HappyGilmore Registered User Join Date: Dec 2008 Member # 125043 Location: Iowa Posts: 5	Thanks guys I will do some work tonight and in the morning checking on your reccomendations.