Weird electrical issue

Likes · September 11, 2017

Okay, first fellas let me introduce myself. Long time lurker, first time poster. I'm Nick, 27, from the good ole state of OH-IO. I have a 2015 Silverado, 2500HD crew cab, LT, with the 6.0. Bought her brand spankin new. Haven't had an issue, up until last week.

I went to start it one morning, and noticed the battery seemed kinda weak. Didn't really pay attention. Fast forward a couple of days, everything is normal, and it does it again. I then turn off my light bar I installed (always on, but shut off by Bluetooth or remote). Thought maybe that was running it down. A couple days after that- it's dead. Jumped it, and it fired right up and ran without a hitch. Next morning- dead again. Jump start- fine. I throw a charger on it, and think the battery was just dead. After a while charging it, it's okay for a day then dead again. Now I've determined there's something draining the battery. I do a bit of research on parasitic drain and see that on average it should be around 85ma. When I take off the negative cable, and use an ammeter from the Cable to the terminal, I show anywhere between 1.6-2.3A. Obviously not good. Here's where it gets weird. I start by unplugging things, drain doesn't go away. I get to the point of literally unfastening the cables off the "prefuse block" and still have a draw. Let me make myself clear- positive cable comes off the terminal to the prefuse block. From there- there are 3 cables and 2 connectors. I unplug them all. Ammeter on negative cable and negative battery terminal. Shows 2.3A. I move a stud that's literally connected to nothing- and the amperage fluctuates. I have no idea what's going on.

To make matters worse- the battery registers 12.4v. Only clicks. I replaced battery with duralast AGM (read good reviews plus 20% off). Now I let it sit overnight and it starts fine, but the radio/chimes/anything coming from speakers is messed up. The radio seems to work fine with key on, and as soon as I crank it over, the radio cuts out. Turn key off, and radio comes back. I'm so confused. Please, help lol thanks guys

Likes · September 11, 2017

Ok- little update. Just drove the truck to my girlfriends. All seemed well- then it cut out like I had bad reception. And it came back-when I pushed the brake pedal or rolled the window down. This is weird stuff.

Supreme Pizza · September 11, 2017

Still under warranty?

Likes · September 11, 2017

Nope. Had it over 3 years and I'm at 50,000 miles.

Supreme Pizza · September 12, 2017

Electrical is sometimes easy, and sometimes its a nightmare. You may have to bite the bullet and go to an electrical diagnostic shop or the dealer.

Maybe a frayed wire, rubbing against metal?

You might have already covered this, but maybe put the gauge on the battery, and pull all the fuses and relays out of everything to see if the draw goes away? Which ever fuse makes the draw go away is the problem circuit. It sounds like you may already be upstream of fuses if your checking the power distribution area. Do you normally wash the engine? Might have soaked the wrong thing.

The power wires that are always hot, are the ones that go to the alternator and the starter. I would probably start there. Power cables are worn through, or there may be a problem inside the starter solenoid or alternator.

Just keep at it man, and don't get frustrated. If ya got to punch something, try to avoid the body panels.

P.S.

I know this is a ghetto fix, but it might reduce or resolve the symptoms of the problem:

Likes · September 12, 2017

Thanks starman. So I replaced the battery, and it's been starting the last couple days just fine. I'm

Not sure if it was a draw or the battery just took a crap. I charged it- took it to advance auto and they said it was 12.6v at 521CCA. Now the issue is just with the speakers. They cut out when I start the truck and 5 minutes later come back like nothing happened. I've tried the "global reset" but still nothing seems to have changed. One weird thing is I still have all my presets as well. I would have thought those would disappear when I disconnect the battery and do the reset.