Battery problems

Johnny B · 08-23-2011, 04:12 PM

Im early July,I replaced my battery,it was only 2 years old & the dealer covered it under warrenty. It had gone dead after sitting in the garage for a short time (12 days?)
All was well & we went to Niagara Falls ( had a great time ) after coming home I drove the R at least once a week. I read about a inexpence cup holder on the Forum & bought one, all was still fine, I slid it down inbetween the consel & the pasenger seat,& did not run the R for maybe 5 days. When I did try to start it the battery was dead.really dead,had to remove it fromthe R to get it to charge.
Every thing in the R had been turned off except the AC.
The battery tested good after being charged & the alternator was also good.
I have an appointment with an auto electric technician tomrrow & hope he can find the problem.
Could I have shorted something when I installed the cup holder?(I have removed it)
Or any other thoughts ?
Thanks
Johnny B ( boffe@consolidated.net )

06 Blue SSR · 08-23-2011, 08:09 PM

Sounds like you have a module that isnot going to sleep and causing the battery to discharge. It could be anyone from the PCM, TCM, ABS, Airbag, Radio and a few more that I can't remember. FYI there are about 17 computer modules in any given late model vehicles, some more, some less.

HarleyGuy · 08-23-2011, 09:16 PM

My brother had a radio to go bad in his 1996 Chevy Impala and it would drain the battery also. You could try pulling the fuse for the radio and see what happens.

Another long shot, and a common problem with the SSR's is the ignition switch. At $35 bucks, if it doesn't fix this problem, you'd have the "spare" that most of us carry in the console, just in case.

Do a search on this site and see what you think.

Good luck.

Johnny B · 08-24-2011, 07:18 AM

Thanks for the replies,I had the ingition switch replaced earlier this year,maybe a module, I'll let you know what the Tech.guy has to say.

jojo750 · 08-24-2011, 07:17 PM

when you remove the key from the ignition, check to see if the RED battery icon is still lit on the dashboard.
its possible you are 1 or 2 teeth off on the ignition switch, and that will cause your battery to drain because it thinks the key is in the ACC position. and not completely OFF.

Johnny B · 09-20-2011, 09:24 AM

I am back, I sent the truck to the electrical auto tec., he had it for 2 nights & 1 day,called me & said he had good news, "coulld not find anything wrong".
He said " new cars today draw about 20mil amps, ( when sitting with ingition off) if you are drawing 50 or more, you have a problem. But my R was only drawing 10".
Brought the R home, then noticed that the battery light would come on if I turned th ingition switch very slightly with the key removed.
Changed the switch ( old one was in the correct position ) & I am back in business,& smiling again.
I would have posted this sooner, but have been out of town, & then did the Finger lakes run ( Had a great time!! )
Thanks for all of your responces this is a wonderful forum. And thanks to the Dictator for putting up with my phone calls,he is a real help & a great guy.
Johnny B

xoxoxoBruce · 09-20-2011, 01:26 PM

What? You put having fun with your SSR, before coming back to post the fix?
You Sir, have the proper attitude.

Dicktator · 09-20-2011, 03:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Johnny B

I am back, I sent the truck to the electrical auto tec., he had it for 2 nights & 1 day,called me & said he had good news, "could not find anything wrong".
He said " new cars today draw about 20mil amps, ( when sitting with ignition off) if you are drawing 50 or more, you have a problem. But my R was only drawing 10".
Brought the R home, then noticed that the battery light would come on if I turned th ignition switch very slightly with the key removed.
Changed the switch ( old one was in the correct position ) & I am back in business,& smiling again.
I would have posted this sooner, but have been out of town, & then did the Finger lakes run ( Had a great time!! )
Thanks for all of your responses this is a wonderful forum. And thanks to the Dictator for putting up with my phone calls,he is a real help & a great guy.
Johnny B

I saw pictures of you and your lovely wife in the Finger Lakes Run, so I figured you had it fixed.

Glad you are smiling again.

Dicktator