I am working on a 2005 Sierra 1500, loaded. I am trying to figure out why the battery keeps dying. I put an ammeter between one of the battery cables and battery, to check for drain. I am getting a spike of about 8 amps for 2 seconds, then no draw for about 10 seconds. I left the meter on for about 15 minutes and still getting the same readings. I am looking to find out if this is a normal condition or if anyone has an idea where I should look to fix the problem. I may just have a bad battery, but if the terminals are left off, it will start fine after a few days, whereas if left connected it won't start after 2 days sitting. Thanks for any help.

 

I'm fighting the same problem on my 2003 Silverado, not at all loaded. It had the same problem back when still in warranty. The first time it ran the battery down, the instrument cluster failed immediately after recharging. The dealer accused the cluster and replaced it. Within days it ran the battery down again and the dealer accused the ABS pump. It did not make sense to me, but it did not fail again until a couple weeks ago.

When I put an ammeter in series with a battery cable, I only see a tiny draw. When do you see 8 amps? Is it immediately after hooking the meter up (with the key off)? Does this happen every time you repeat the test...drive, turn off engine, remove battery cable, and hook up meter?

Gerald

 

Try hooking up the meter as you already did then start experimenting individual circuits. Pull the fuse to one circuit at a time and monitor the Multimeter to see if the draw fulls to 0

 

Mine had a problem with that. Somehow, the stock amp for the speakers that's under the center console, had the two positive wires touching, making it so it was like having the key in the aux position all the time.

 

Just to update....I haven't done anything to the truck and for now the problem of the battery going dead has disappeared????? When I get a chance I plan to re-check the battery draw.

 

Gotta love our Chevs Sometimes if you wait long enough... They heal

I'm hoping my right signal will correct itself.