Battery dying on my 2023 Yukon Denali

[Jocko PDX]

I have a 2023 Denali with 15K miles on it. I only drive it once a week. A couple months ago it barely had enough amps to start and then this AM the battery was dead, Could not start it. It seems to me that letting a rig sit for up to a week should not be enough downtime for the battery to be dying. Does anyone have problems with a battery draw down on their yukon? Very Frustrating. Ill probably try putting a new batter in and see what happens. sigh

 

[tagexpcom]

My 2021 Yukon Denali has same issue. Can only go 5,6, sometimes 7 days before it's risky to start. When I bought it used (2.5 yrs ago) I did new battery, put in a battery monitor, checked hi/low for parasitic drains, and posted on this forum.

My 2004 Cadillac SRX and 2011 CTS can both go over 2 weeks with no issues.

The consensus here is that this is 'not normal' for <week, but I've concluded that it's just how it is for my 2021 Yukon. I've arranged my schedule to fire it up at least twice a week and have a trickle charger handy to use if it's going to be more than 5-6 days. Sigh....

You have my sympathies and will follow this thread in case I learn something new

 

[Blackcar]

I have a 2023 Denali with 15K miles on it. I only drive it once a week. A couple months ago it barely had enough amps to start and then this AM the battery was dead, Could not start it. It seems to me that letting a rig sit for up to a week should not be enough downtime for the battery to be dying. Does anyone have problems with a battery draw down on their yukon? Very Frustrating. Ill probably try putting a new batter in and see what happens. sigh

A 2023 would still be under bumper-to-bumper warranty?

 

[Jocko PDX]

A 2023 would still be under bumper-to-bumper warranty?

I can’t Imagine that a battery is covered? Like tires or brakes.

 

[Fless]

FWIW I've heard of the key fobs being left too close (inside the house) which can leave a few modules on.

 

[Fless]

I can’t Imagine that a battery is covered? Like tires or brakes.

Why not ask a service advisor?

 

[Jocko PDX]

Why not ask a service advisor?

AI said that it’s covered so I will ask. Thanks

 

[tom3]

If the battery is dead by all means call the dealer. Don't jump it or charge the battery. Let then bring the roll back and haul it in. Don't risk it.

 

[Stbentoak]

I could be wrong, but I think batteries are only covered one year or 12,000 miles, like cosmetic issues.... As far as having towed into the dealer. That's up to you, but don't expect the dealer to pay your tow bill when all you would have to do is jump it to get it in.

 

[Jocko PDX]

I could be wrong, but I think batteries are only covered one year or 12,000 miles, like cosmetic issues.... As far as having towed into the dealer. That's up to you, but don't expect the dealer to pay your tow bill when all you would have to do is jump it to get it in.

I had AAA come jump start it. Now I will take it to a battery place to get the battery tested.

 

[Tonyv__]

I have a 2023 Denali with 15K miles on it. I only drive it once a week. A couple months ago it barely had enough amps to start and then this AM the battery was dead, Could not start it. It seems to me that letting a rig sit for up to a week should not be enough downtime for the battery to be dying. Does anyone have problems with a battery draw down on their yukon? Very Frustrating. Ill probably try putting a new batter in and see what happens. sigh

My wife’s Mercedes pretty much did the same thing around the peak of covid and when work from home became standard. She was driving her car maybe once a week for 20 mins. I noticed her battery died and took it in to be tested. They said the battery was good and just needed to be charged. Trickle charged it that night and got another 2 years or so out of that battery.

Too many electronics IMO.

 

[15burban]

I'd get a battery maintainer/tender for it. When not in use have it plugged in. Even if in your current situation you end up getting a new battery.

Depending on which one you get. Get a hardwire cable or extension with terminals to wire it to the battery. Then run the line somewhere up in the front. So you don't have to open the hood every time to plug it in. My truck (ram) doesn't get driven much so after each time it gets plugged in. Doesn't even take 5 seconds to grab the tender plug it into the truck and plug it into the outlet. I got the 6' hardwire cable and ran it so it comes out of the lower grill on the front bumper. You wouldn't even notice it unless you were really looking for it.

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07PY7JPYJ?ref_=cm_sw_r_cso_cp_apan_dp_WMKY64ZQC7T0775EGF0K

I also did this on my aunts suv since she works from home and rarely goes anywhere. Hell I even have it on my side by side that stays plugged in all winter unless I need it to plow.

 

[ReaperHWK]

if you don’t drive a vehicle once ever few days you need to get a tender on it. Newer cars have lots of current draw compared to older ones with no electronics. There are tons of computers still active when the truck is off like the proximity transponders, GPS locator, etc.

Yoir battery is just dead charge it at home, no need for a dealer to F up your truck for a dead battery or charge you $400 for a new one so they can rip you off.

BTW I have a 2022 hellcat that I drive occasionally. If it’s not on a tender the battery will be drained in a week, similar to your truck. 2 weeks it won’t be able to start the car without a boost pack if I didn’t have a tender.

 

[tsuintx]

Still original battery? If so, even at best the batter is already three years old and is getting to towards the end of it's service life. Batteries tend to last only around four years or so. With some TLC you might get a few more years out of them, but in general 4-5 is what you'll get.

 

[dbphillips]

Huh. Usually I have all kinds of trouble with everything. We use our 22 Babymax Tahoe mostly for towing, so gets used infrequently through the winter. Just got into it after 2 weeks away and it fired right up. Came here just looking for how long batteries last, since we're at 4 years. Guess I'll risk another year and keep the tender handy.

 

[Jocko PDX]

I'd get a battery maintainer/tender for it. When not in use have it plugged in. Even if in your current situation you end up getting a new battery.

Depending on which one you get. Get a hardwire cable or extension with terminals to wire it to the battery. Then run the line somewhere up in the front. So you don't have to open the hood every time to plug it in. My truck (ram) doesn't get driven much so after each time it gets plugged in. Doesn't even take 5 seconds to grab the tender plug it into the truck and plug it into the outlet. I got the 6' hardwire cable and ran it so it comes out of the lower grill on the front bumper. You wouldn't even notice it unless you were really looking for it.

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07PY7JPYJ?ref_=cm_sw_r_cso_cp_apan_dp_WMKY64ZQC7T0775EGF0K

I also did this on my aunts suv since she works from home and rarely goes anywhere. Hell I even have it on my side by side that stays plugged in all winter unless I need it to plow.

so I can wire that to the battery and leave the plug in the engine compartment?

 

[Fless]

Not sure if they still make them, or if they're for your type of batteries, but they used to make solar chargers that you could put on the dash and plug into a hot 12v outlet. That would work if the vehicle is kept outside.

 

[15burban]

so I can wire that to the battery and leave the plug in the engine compartment?

Yep.

On my ram attached to the battery.


Where I have the plug for it coming out in the front bumper. When it's not in use I flip the plug up into the bumper and it's out of sight.


On my side by side the battery is buried under the air intake in the front and a bunch of other crap.


For now I just have it ran into the "cab" area. I just wind the cable up and store it out the way when plowing. I haven't decided yet on how to finish it. I've seen some cool plugs where you can mount them on a flat surface. So I might do that eventually.

 

[Fless]

You could also make up a 7-blade connector to plug into the trailer light plug, using the Hotel and ground circuits. @Rocket Man did this, I think, although he used the connections to power a vehicle-mounted trickle charger, IIRC.

My plan would be to have the trickle charger external, with its 12v power going to the vehicle battery through the hotel circuit, retaining full use of the trailer connector when not charging.

 

[tom3]

You could also make up a 7-blade connector to plug into the trailer light plug, using the Hotel and ground circuits. @Rocket Man did this, I think, although he used the connections to power a vehicle-mounted trickle charger, IIRC.

My plan would be to have the trickle charger external, with its 12v power going to the vehicle battery through the hotel circuit, retaining full use of the trailer connector when not charging.

I like that plan. No worries about warranty coverage with added on wiring.