Battery drain on a 99 Tahoe
- Thread starter djfive45
- Start date
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Are you saying completely dead? You didn't say. The first place I always start is by unplugging the alternator and see if drain goes away. You can put a DVOM between the negative post on battery and the cable end and measure milli amps and post that result here. If alternator unplug does not take care of problem, then you start by unplugging fuses, while DVOM is attached, and see what circuit fuse stops the big milli amp draw. All this needs to be done with a completely charged battery. Make sure you don't have a hidden light on somewhere. Any work done before having this problem?
Only a new battery. 1st one was put in last September, car sat for a month went dead. Took it back to autozone and replaced it about a month ago. Pulled the instrument cluster since I'm having issues there. Waiting on replacement. This tahoe came from MN. Also looks like some of the ground wires I've seen so far need to be cleaned up. Firewall to block and frame. Still looking for more
Yes It goes dead after 4 or 5 days. Kept it on a battery tender before I pulled the cluster
Hoesgottaeat2
Full Access Member
I like to use the fuse panel myself to help diagnose as @OR VietVet suggested.
You can either do a parasitic draw test using an digital ammeter and a bridge, plenty of info on youbube or the net. Or we can fire up the diagnostic wheel of fortune and have a spin. I'll take visor vanity mirrors as my first guess.
Are you talking about the fuses under the hood? The cluster guy I talked to said to pull the cluster if it still has a drain he mentioned some fuse under the hood. Have to go back and read which ine he said.
For some reason I can't see what OR VeitVet posted
By unplugging the alternator and it doesn't drain battery does that mean the alternator is bad?
There are diodes internally in the alternator. They are designed to allow current to flow one direction. If they fail and allow current flow two directions, that can cause a draw on the battery. If you unplug the alternator and that stops the draw, it means you take the radiator cap off and drive a new vehicle under it and install the radiator cap and you are good to go.
NOOOOOO....it means the alternator should be replaced.
Before I put a new battery in it last year I dod notice a clicking noise in dash about the middle and the CD player was making a strange noise and had a hard time ejecting a CD. Some kinda relay maybe?
Disconnect the power to that unit or pull a fuse/relay and see if that does it. But still check the alternator.
Hahaha. Thanks for the info,I'm not all that familiar with electronics. Enjoy the humor
Unplug the positive cable and other wire from alternator correct?
Not judging, but it seems like you might want a more knowledgeable person looking at it. There are standard methods and tools for diagnosing (parasitic) battery draw and until those are used, it's just a crap shoot to find what's causing it -- if there even is one.
Oodles of YouTube videos on diagnosing parasitic draw.
Oodles of YouTube videos on diagnosing parasitic draw.
Hoesgottaeat2
Full Access Member
Inside the driver's door below the A-pillar
Unplug it. You don't need to remove any nuts and unscrew a cable. Just unplug it.
I agree .thank you for the help
east302
Full Access Member
Don’t forget this one Djfive. If the plastic cover on the visor is broken, that little light will stay on.
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