Tahoe dead after tail light install..

[lynxnova]

Hey guys, need to vent plus find out what's the problem... just came out to hit the gym and to my surprise, my truck is completely dead! I can't believe it. I drove it last 2 days ago... the only thing I've done to it since was change the reverse lights to led... could that have caused my truck to die? These are the bulbs I used (2015 LTZ). Philips 921 Bright White Vision LED Back-up light, 2 Pack

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[lynxnova]

Also what should I do if it was the LED bulbs?


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[AngelXL]

Probably just the cold weather getting to the old battery. Not the bulbs

 

[lynxnova]

I was thinking the same thing but my battery never gave any indication of being drain to that point and it's been cold under 35degress just one night.... I find it a little odd


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[05Single]

I'm 99.99% sure those leds are not the problem, it has to be something else. cold just be the cold.

 

[Yukon John]

Buy a new battery, It's been my experience that factory installed batteries on GM/FOMOCO/Chrysler cars make it 2 years...maybe three.

The first cold snap is what the Auto Parts guys call "Battery Weather". With all of the electronics on these new vehicles...it's surprising they last as long as they do. When you buy a battery...buy the strongest (Highest CCA rating) that will fit in the truck. Costco has some good prices on Interstate...but if you want the best, get an Optima Red Top Gel Pak.

 

[lynxnova]

Thanks guys, your answers and quick response are always very well appreciated... that's why I love this forum.... it's better then any other social media ...


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[AngelXL]

Sears gives you one hell of a warranty and install

 

[05Single]

Thanks guys, your answers and quick response are always very well appreciated... that's why I love this forum.... it's better then any other social media ...


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Bunch of know it all idiots on social media. Stick with the forum for direct and right answers.

 

[1_8TTony]

Take the battery to a retail store and have them put a deep charge on it. And then have them do a load test.

The battery is rated at 12v.......in reality it is more than that. The standing voltage of the battery is above 12v. I've tested new batteries on store shelves and seen some as high as 13 volts....as a battery ages, it's standing voltage drops. If it drops below 11 volts, it probably wont have enough amps to crank the engine.

Before battery purchase, I would have the alternator output tested. It should give a reading of atleast 13.8 volts. Any reading below 13 volts would be an indication that the alternator is not capable of charging the battery while supplying power to the rest of the vehicle. Once the engine is running the alternator can put out as little as 8 volts to keep the engine running. All engine management sensors rely on atleast 5 volts to keep them operating. But that 8 volts output is not enough to charge the battery above 12 volts.......giving a long enough duration time of cranking amps which is where it needs to be to best spin the starter.

 

[lynxnova]

@1_8TTony thank you for the detailed response it's perfect information... I'm at the dealership now and of course they are trying to say that I left my lights on....smh freaking idiots, I told them that I leave my lights on auto all the time.... they have to replace it and of course with your information I had them check the alternator ... I also explained to them about the voltage and now they are gonna check because they think I know my ish about trucks....lol... thanks to people like you and everyone on this forum giving us novice people some knowledge these dealership service Dept. Can't pull a fast one ....


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[lynxnova]

Ok, I spoke to soon.... of course the dealership blamed the dead battery on my 10" sub connection... this is the explanation they gave me...

. So can this be true?.... I bought the truck used in sept. Of this year and I put the speaker in about 2 months ago...


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[lynxnova]

This is the speaker set up

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[lynxnova]

My question is can my subwoofer. Drain the battery that quick? I had this same sub set up on my previous 2010 Tahoe for 4 years and I never had a problem with my battery...


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[gat0r]

dealer/tech possibly being lazy.


however,
-test draw on system w/o woofer hooked up.
-then hook up the woofer & test draw on system.
does woofer setup auto power off? if so , how long does it take?
i would assume 10-15 minutes.

-if it does auto power off, test amp draw again.

see if results prove their theory.


also leave woofer unhooked for a few days... see if battery dies again.

 

[lynxnova]

Yes the woofer has auto shut off, it takes about 5min then it shuts off... the system is a woofer and amp combo where the amp comes in the sub box so I wouldn't know on how to test the amp separate from the woofer. I will disconnect the sub for a week and wait to see if the battery has power still... I know they probably recharged it so it might last a couple of days.... do I need to disconnect the woofer from the battery itself or can I just disconnect the plug and wires from the sub box?


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[AngelXL]

Just make sure the amp is turning off with the ignition. If you are using the factory radio. You don't have a remote wire for the Amp.

 

[lynxnova]

Theres a blue light that turns on the subwoofer box when I turn the truck so I'm assuming that's the indicator light for when it's on and off.... the blue light turns off about 5min after the truck is off, does that mean the amp and subwoofer if off?


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[yates ™]

Just make sure the amp is turning off with the ignition. If you are using the factory radio. You don't have a remote wire for the Amp.

Theres a blue light that turns on the subwoofer box when I turn the truck so I'm assuming that's the indicator light for when it's on and off.... the blue light turns off about 5min after the truck is off, does that mean the amp and subwoofer if off?


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The amp shutting off or the blue light have nothing to do with a power draw. Just leave the amp unhooked, should be able to do this by pulling the fuse, and see what you can find.

This article may help you, http://www.popularmechanics.com/cars/how-to/a5859/how-to-stop-car-battery-drains/

 

[WillCO]

I bet 99% of dealers are going to see that subwoofer and blame the problem on it. It's a legitimate possibility though - even if the sub's amp is designed to shut off with inactivity, the switch can malfunction. A car amplifier could definitely suck down a battery on its own in a couple days' time.

I agree; unplug it for a while and see if the problem persists.