there is some drain on my battery

[84CUCV]

keys off. next day. no power at all. this would be the 3 time. its a 88 chevy burban. i have no clue

thanks

 

[Cowboy_80]

Disconnect the battery when you turn the truck off until you can isolate the problem. The problem is either your alternator not working, or something staying on that shouldn't (i.e. short, open, ground problem)

After you check your alt., go one by one through your electrical system with a voltmeter. Check your keyed systems for power with the key off.

 

[readymix]

If you are trying to find a drain on hte battery you need to use an ammeter not a voltmeter.

Most are the same thing, just different settings.

 

[84CUCV]

truck just sits now. does not run thanks

 

[MarcS]

Put a ampmeter between the battery and the negative cable (in series).
Pull one fuse at a time until the amps go real low. (probally less than 1 amp).
Remember, the computer (if equiped) and the stereo will draw some current, but I doubt it would be more then a amp. This should at least isolate the circuit with the problem.
It sounds like there is a serious draw (amps) if it's killing the battery overnight.

 

[84CUCV]

ok its a tbi. so the is a computer. thanks

 

[MarcS]

ok its a tbi. so the is a computer. thanks

No problem man. Give me a shout if ya need help.

 

[adamforsythe]

The same thing is going on with my k5 I will take these tips and see if I can find it....my battery goes dead in about 12 hours. it's a new one too

 

[Mudstud]

Some things to check out. Look at the wires for the hitch. Make sure they are OK. Sometimes there get drug over things and can introduce problems. Also look at the wire for the license plate light. Have either of you done anything to the truck recently that might have started this problem? Interior work, engine bay work? If so look in that area where you were working for wires you might have messed up- put a screw through, disconnected, etc.

 

[adamforsythe]

I have done work to my whole truck........Come to think about it there is a wire that I didn't ground when I pulled my AC/Heater box from under the dash to fix the heater core would that cause it?
Thanks
Adam

Some things to check out. Look at the wires for the hitch. Make sure they are OK. Sometimes there get drug over things and can introduce problems. Also look at the wire for the license plate light. Have either of you done anything to the truck recently that might have started this problem? Interior work, engine bay work? If so look in that area where you were working for wires you might have messed up- put a screw through, disconnected, etc.

 

[dyeager535]

No, a ground isn't going to cause it.

Post #5 is the way to go, pull the ECM and clock/radio fuses first because you know they are a draw. Unless you have something else hooked up, there should be essentially nothing.

Of course, if the truck sits, the battery may just be dead and won't hold a charge even with minimal (normal) load.

 

[84CUCV]

thanks for a good place to start

 

[84CUCV]

i did do a bunch of things under the hood. i will take a look there as well thanks

 

[Stomis]

In my stepside my problem was in my gauges. Not that I'm saying thats a common place or anything but it was after I replaced my headlamp switch. I knocked my gauge connector half way out. It was bridge connections and making shorts inturn draining my battery over night.

Thats a good place to start (some thing half disconnected that is.)

 

[84CUCV]

thanks