Battery Drain Question - Camaro5 Chevy Camaro Forum / Camaro ZL1, SS and V6 Forums

SEEGEER2010SS · 04-12-2018, 06:36 PM

Hey folks,
I bought a 2010 SS last fall, it was having trouble starting (weak battery). If I ran the car every day, it was not an issue. I trickle charged it over the winter, this spring, fired right up.

I took it about 70 miles the other night, parked it, next morning, battery was completely dead. I tried charging it, no luck, couldn't even jump start it. I switched out the battery and it fired right up.

However, here is my question. I disconnected the ground terminal and with the meter, I am still pulling about 1 amp of draw; is this normal? I pulled every fuse in the car and that didn't change anything. Any ideas or comments?
Thanks!
Spence

TheFlyingBananaSS · 04-12-2018, 07:51 PM

It's just the justice department's gps logger no big deal

SEEGEER2010SS · 04-12-2018, 08:15 PM

Whew, I knew it had to be something simple!

DrLove38 · 04-12-2018, 08:16 PM

Please get a new battery tomorrow. Problem solved.

SEEGEER2010SS · 04-12-2018, 08:26 PM

I have a new battery in it. My issue is the 1 amp draw. I am trying to track down a short.

SEEGEER2010SS · 04-14-2018, 10:38 PM

I ruled out alternator and battery cable down by the starter. Any ideas?
Thanks

silversleeper · 04-14-2018, 10:46 PM

I think there is a light in my trunk, if I open it that would be about 1amp. I'm assuming you open the trunk to check it. If you remove the bulb does it drop down?
Any aftermarket stuff like alarms etc?

Rock-It Man · 04-15-2018, 07:23 AM

Do you know there are three fuse boxes in the car?

Gasoholic · 04-15-2018, 08:44 AM

Theres modules that will show light draws all the time. 1 amp seems high. But maybe not accurate. Trunk light probably more than 1 amp.
I'm betting your alright. Your problem was the battery.
Just to safe, make sure the alternator is keeping up. Driving around with a bad battery is hard on the alternator.

Olddudesrule · 04-15-2018, 05:29 PM

It is too high. You should be drawing milliamps only. I generally shy away from electrical issues, having a pro take a look at it.

JD555 · 04-15-2018, 07:24 PM

Start pulling out fuses one at a time and replace until the draw stops. I had to do that on my boat. It was the radio.

SEEGEER2010SS · 04-15-2018, 09:49 PM

Thanks for chiming in guys.
I pulled every fuse (in all three boxes) while my dad watched the meter. I did tape off the trunk switches. I ran it yesterday, I kept the new battery in it, it stayed at 14.7 volts this morning. However, I went out this afternoon and it was at 12.1 but quickly ran up to 14.7.

camguynj · 04-16-2018, 05:06 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SEEGEER2010SS

Thanks for chiming in guys.
I pulled every fuse (in all three boxes) while my dad watched the meter. I did tape off the trunk switches. I ran it yesterday, I kept the new battery in it, it stayed at 14.7 volts this morning. However, I went out this afternoon and it was at 12.1 but quickly ran up to 14.7.

So you didn’t find any parasitic draw when you pulled the fuses, correct? Where were the 12.1 and 14.7 readings from?

SEEGEER2010SS · 04-16-2018, 05:29 AM

No draw. I used the dic to measure the volts.

04-12-2018, 06:36 PM	#1
SEEGEER2010SS Drives: 2010 SS Auto Join Date: Nov 2017 Location: Pittsburgh, PA Posts: 73	Battery Drain Question Hey folks, I bought a 2010 SS last fall, it was having trouble starting (weak battery). If I ran the car every day, it was not an issue. I trickle charged it over the winter, this spring, fired right up. I took it about 70 miles the other night, parked it, next morning, battery was completely dead. I tried charging it, no luck, couldn't even jump start it. I switched out the battery and it fired right up. However, here is my question. I disconnected the ground terminal and with the meter, I am still pulling about 1 amp of draw; is this normal? I pulled every fuse in the car and that didn't change anything. Any ideas or comments? Thanks! Spence

04-12-2018, 07:51 PM	#2
TheFlyingBananaSS Evil Genius of Chevrolet Drives: 2017 Z06, 2019 XTS, 2013 SS Join Date: Feb 2017 Location: New York Posts: 3,260	It's just the justice department's gps logger no big deal __________________ GPI SS2 VVT cam, ECS Novi 1500 supercharger, Corsa Extreme, Detroit Speed and BMR suspension, Circle D triple disc, Melling oil pump, LS2 chain tensioner, ATI 10% UD, DSX E85 kit, High Energy coils, BTR springs, LS2 Lifter trays, Titanium retainers, hardened push rods, FIC 1000 injectors, ZL1 pump, Mighty Mouse catch can, AEM gauges, Tial BOV, Richmond 3.91 gears, Custom gauge bezels, Speed Engineering headers, Stainless Works HF cats, DSX Aux pump, 710rwhp on E85.

04-15-2018, 05:29 PM	#10
Olddudesrule Resident nomad Drives: 2014 Summit White 1SS/1LE Join Date: Nov 2015 Location: Gilbert, AZ Posts: 1,765	It is too high. You should be drawing milliamps only. I generally shy away from electrical issues, having a pro take a look at it. __________________ Sold: 2007 Z06 2002 Viper GTS/ACR 2003 Z06 1965 FFR Cobra 2012 Nissan 370Z ADM LSA Stage II, Roto-Fab CAI, Kooks LTH/HFC's, Phastek CC, ported TB, Mishimoto radiator and oil cooler, BC Racing ER Series CO's, JPSS 32mm Black Magic rear bar, JPSS front inserts, R1 Concepts Premier slotted rotors/Goodrich SS lines, Schroth ASM harness, MGW flatstick, Brey-Krause HB, Tuned by NicD, at Cordes Performance Racing.

04-12-2018, 08:15 PM	#3
SEEGEER2010SS Drives: 2010 SS Auto Join Date: Nov 2017 Location: Pittsburgh, PA Posts: 73	Whew, I knew it had to be something simple!

04-12-2018, 08:16 PM	#4
DrLove38 Drives: 2013 Black SS/RS Join Date: May 2017 Location: West Texas Posts: 133	Please get a new battery tomorrow. Problem solved.

04-12-2018, 08:26 PM	#5
SEEGEER2010SS Drives: 2010 SS Auto Join Date: Nov 2017 Location: Pittsburgh, PA Posts: 73	I have a new battery in it. My issue is the 1 amp draw. I am trying to track down a short.

04-14-2018, 10:38 PM	#6
SEEGEER2010SS Drives: 2010 SS Auto Join Date: Nov 2017 Location: Pittsburgh, PA Posts: 73	I ruled out alternator and battery cable down by the starter. Any ideas? Thanks

04-14-2018, 10:46 PM	#7
silversleeper Big Crow Drives: '13 ZL1 Join Date: Mar 2017 Location: California Posts: 1,486	I think there is a light in my trunk, if I open it that would be about 1amp. I'm assuming you open the trunk to check it. If you remove the bulb does it drop down? Any aftermarket stuff like alarms etc?

04-15-2018, 07:23 AM	#8
Rock-It Man 376 cubic inches of fun Drives: 2023 Camaro ZL1 A10 Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: MA Posts: 4,031 View My Garage	Do you know there are three fuse boxes in the car?

04-15-2018, 08:44 AM	#9
Gasoholic Drives: o Join Date: Jun 2017 Location: under a rock Posts: 220	Theres modules that will show light draws all the time. 1 amp seems high. But maybe not accurate. Trunk light probably more than 1 amp. I'm betting your alright. Your problem was the battery. Just to safe, make sure the alternator is keeping up. Driving around with a bad battery is hard on the alternator.

04-15-2018, 07:24 PM	#11
JD555 Drives: 2014 2SS RS, 6 sp man Join Date: Feb 2016 Location: Marlton, NJ Posts: 461	Start pulling out fuses one at a time and replace until the draw stops. I had to do that on my boat. It was the radio.

04-15-2018, 09:49 PM	#12
SEEGEER2010SS Drives: 2010 SS Auto Join Date: Nov 2017 Location: Pittsburgh, PA Posts: 73	Thanks for chiming in guys. I pulled every fuse (in all three boxes) while my dad watched the meter. I did tape off the trunk switches. I ran it yesterday, I kept the new battery in it, it stayed at 14.7 volts this morning. However, I went out this afternoon and it was at 12.1 but quickly ran up to 14.7.

04-16-2018, 05:29 AM	#14
SEEGEER2010SS Drives: 2010 SS Auto Join Date: Nov 2017 Location: Pittsburgh, PA Posts: 73	No draw. I used the dic to measure the volts.