Dead battery at 1265 miles?

[Evergreen6]

It's not unbelievable that the OE battery was just bad and gave it up early. Either have it replaced under warranty if you can...or, just buy an aftermarket battery.

If you're leaving it for extended periods, a battery tender isn't a bad idea.

[Chevy_cowboy]

Originally Posted by Todd in Vancouver

That's what I felt as well but after seeing how many others on here have the same issue I just chalked it up to SNAFU. Now that I already have the solar charger I've just put it out of my mind unless it happens again with the solar charger.

yeah the charger is just a bandaid masking the problem at this point, I'd figure out a long term solution before it gets worse or causes problems. With all the sensitive electronics on these cars, a short could take out other components.

[JCunningham]

its actually very normal for the battery to be dead after sitting for more then a week. The alt is only meant to maintain the battery not charge it. It will charge it some what but should be topped off with a trickle charger overnight if left for long periods of time. Op what is happening is your almost killing the battery then driving it some to get the charge back up then almost killing it again. Charge the battery with a trickle charger or take the battery to a parts store and they will charge it overnight and check it the next day. The dealer will do this too but you will have to leave the car with them.
Dealer keep the batteries maintained on the lot cars. there is no way a battery will keep a charge on a modern vehicle for 6mon.

[Chevy_cowboy]

Originally Posted by JCunningham

its actually very normal for the battery to be dead after sitting for more then a week. The alt is only meant to maintain the battery not charge it. It will charge it some what but should be topped off with a trickle charger overnight if left for long periods of time. Op what is happening is your almost killing the battery then driving it some to get the charge back up then almost killing it again. Charge the battery with a trickle charger or take the battery to a parts store and they will charge it overnight and check it the next day. The dealer will do this too but you will have to leave the car with them.
Dealer keep the batteries maintained on the lot cars. there is no way a battery will keep a charge on a modern vehicle for 6mon.

Thats true if you drive short trips. My wive's car used to slowly drain the battery even though she drove it to work daily, it was less than 2 miles and didn't have time to recoup the charge used to start the car...

But a car driven a good distance after sitting for a week would be a different story, thats why I asked how much he drove it on weekends. If he's putting a couple hundred miles on it over the weekend, and its not holding a charge for 5 days, something is wrong.

[Ragnar]

OP, I would have the battery checked. I run a car lot and we crank all the vehicles once a week. If I have to jump off a car 2 weeks in a row, we replace the battery with cheap ass blims for $32.95. We then check the charging system, problem solved. Been doing that for 10 years.

[jd10013]

Originally Posted by JCunningham

its actually very normal for the battery to be dead after sitting for more then a week. .

never happened on any car I've ever owned so I'm not sure how "normal" I'd consider it. I've never come back from vaca or some other extended trip and had to go out in the driveway and jump start cars.

[jd10013]

Originally Posted by Ragnar

OP, I would have the battery checked. I run a car lot and we crank all the vehicles once a week. If I have to jump off a car 2 weeks in a row, we replace the battery with cheap ass blims for $32.95. We then check the charging system, problem solved. Been doing that for 10 years.

a lot of car manufactures do that too, the cheap batteries that is. they figure it's something your going to have to replace in a couple years anyways, so they buy cheap to save money.

[Todd in Vancouver]

Notice the issues are on later ones not early cars. Coincidence or is there a difference causing this to happen?

BTW, just got back from an 8 day business trip and the solar trickle worked great.,and it was >$100. My time is worth more than that.

[Chevy_cowboy]

Originally Posted by Todd in Vancouver

BTW, just got back from an 8 day business trip and the solar trickle worked great.,and it was >$100. My time is worth more than that.

Thats kinda like putting air in a leaky tire every week, I guess it'll get you around for awhile but If it was me I'd rather fix it permanently.

You're still under warranty aren't you?

[baum]

if it happens again then i would say you may have a drain issue.

however i purchased my wife a traverse the sales man had brought it up to the door before i got there. when i went to start it it was dead. it can happen. problem its i think they only warranty a factory battery for a year or so from purchase

[JCunningham]

Originally Posted by baum

if it happens again then i would say you may have a drain issue.

however i purchased my wife a traverse the sales man had brought it up to the door before i got there. when i went to start it it was dead. it can happen. problem its i think they only warranty a factory battery for a year or so from purchase

dealer replaced 4 year old battery on my Silverado for free. I did have a extended warranty though