Truck battery completely dead, AGAIN!

jimmerz98 · May 19, 2020

SO end of January 2020 I picked up a Silverado LTZ Z71 4x4. Great truck, love it so far.

However, about 2 days after I had it it died. Dead battery? I jumped it then took it to the dealer to be checked out. They "checked" it out. No issues, battery was fine.

Fast forward to today. Once again, battery dead. Took a while hooked up to my wife's car to bring it back to life. Sounded like a whole bunch of electrical noises going on while charging.

Finally it starts, the check engine light is now on?

I drove it to the store and back with no issues other than the check engine light and the radio wasn't working on the way there. Radio worked on way home.

Only has 4000 miles and this is my first Chevy!

I have a service appointment scheduled for Wednesday.

Any input or others who have had similar issues?

I'm supposed to be going camping Friday and I really don't need any issues while camping.

I've owned 2 Ram Big horns over the last 6 years with ZERO issues...

Grrr.

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Colossus · May 19, 2020

Make them replace the battery after they test everything else. The battery needs to be fully charged as well, and you can't do that driving it around. The alternator is just a maintainer, not intended to charge depleted batteries. If you continue to have a dead battery after it has been replaced, then we know we have something else. FYI modern vehicles don't do well sitting more than 2-3 weeks without use. There is enough electronic crap in them now that draws power that the batteries drain quicker than ever and everything on the truck now depends on a good working battery.

Patrick Nelligan · May 20, 2020

I had the same issue with my 2020 Trail Boss at 900 miles. It was a bad battery. The dealer hooked it up to a battery diagnostic machine for a 4 hour test. It came back as borderline fail. They ran the test again for another 4 hours and it failed. The battery was then replaced.

Colossus · May 20, 2020

Just remember that even when a battery may "test" good it could still be bad. It may show fully charged after a charge and pass the test, but because of bad internals it shorts or whatever is bad in the battery will quickly drop the battery within hours, so a battery tester may detect full voltage but may not detect the issue in the battery.

Max Z71 · May 20, 2020

Traded my 2018 2500 Duramax due to a battery constantly discharging.

Dealer could not determine how to fix it.

It started at about 4000 miles. After having it towed from my driveway the third time, it had to go.

I loved that truck but had no trust it would start when I turned the key.

I have been researching and read somewhere that sometimes the Body Control Module, BCM, does not shut-down and it can drain the battery in 2-3 days.

Not sure if this was my problem, but may be worth asking for yours. Good luck!

Kelly Shilka · May 21, 2020

Had same issue in my 2011 gmc ,mechanic found breaker pannel under hood" back side of pannel had connectors inside the panel itself shorting out to other terminals. Three months down the road no issues. Gm mechanic with own shop.

jimmerz98 · June 18, 2020

UPDATE!

So after dealing with this issue 2 more times, my onstar actually sent a message to my dealership that i was hanging ABS issues. I scheduled an appointment and they tested my battery and it failed. So they replaced the battery and put a new negative lead wire because he said the one that was on it was very short and barely reached. The ABS issue resolved once a new battery was installed, they said they thought it was something to do with the amperage it was getting?

Let’s hope this solves my problem.

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Pappy58 · June 19, 2020

In my opinion the AC-Delco AGM batteries suck! Went through two on my 2015 Silverado and after the second I bit the bullet and bought an Optima. I've had the issue on several GM vehicles, so now I put the charger on once a month or so, and once the original batt dies, I go Optima. I have two 10 year old Redtops and they still rock and roll!

HarleypsychRN · June 20, 2020

I have has the battery die (and had to be put on the flatbed) twice now in 1700 miles. The dealer is telling me I'm "not driving it enough".

The tow truck driver says to me "Yea I tow a lot of these 2020s and 2019s"

Jboggs71 · June 3, 2021

I have a 2020 trail boss and had the dead battery mystery about 4 weeks ago.
yesterday when I got in it the truck had no volume on stereo and the CarPlay wouldn’t do anything while I tried to make a call.
it sat all weekend and was a hot day here in Florida. Do you think the heat had anything to do with it or is my battery fixing to die again ?

BIGDOGx · June 3, 2021

On 6/19/2020 at 12:42 PM, Pappy58 said:

In my opinion the AC-Delco AGM batteries suck! Went through two on my 2015 Silverado and after the second I bit the bullet and bought an Optima. I've had the issue on several GM vehicles, so now I put the charger on once a month or so, and once the original batt dies, I go Optima. I have two 10 year old Redtops and they still rock and roll!

I have the direct opposite, every delco battery surprisingly has given me well over 7 years of service, in each of my last 3 trucks. I bought a red top once from autozone and it was by a far far margin the biggest pile of junk i have ever used. Lasted me around 3 years before it crapped out on me. All the delcos by the way were replaced before failure, once i get over 7 years i fear of getting stranded. Maybe delcos changed but i didn't see any reason to switch brands after my 2014 trucks battery needed to be replaced, i can't complain about 7 years of solid service.

Vigilante375 · June 3, 2021

7 hours ago, Jboggs71 said:

I have a 2020 trail boss and had the dead battery mystery about 4 weeks ago.
yesterday when I got in it the truck had no volume on stereo and the CarPlay wouldn’t do anything while I tried to make a call.
it sat all weekend and was a hot day here in Florida. Do you think the heat had anything to do with it or is my battery fixing to die again ?

Did you have to jump start it? Only asking since you mentioned a dead battery then no volume and CarPlay.

You have any mods? I read some people say the dealer found that the heated seat was causing a very slight parasitic draw but only found that out after the dealer kept the vehicle over the weekend and hooked up hardware to monitor the electrical system.

BigdaddyoCan · June 15, 2021

So I saw the notice in GM Authority newsletter about this drain. I have a 2021 1500 LT but have not experienced this issue yet. Is it safe to say I am not affected by this?

The customer satisfaction number reference is N212335340 but I cannot find details to tell if I need to get this fix for my truck. Any ideas where I could look it up?

https://gmauthority.com/blog/2021/05/gm-releases-fix-for-2021-chevy-silverado-gmc-sierra-battery-drain-issue/

Edited June 16, 2021 by BigdaddyoCan

gemarsh · June 15, 2021

2 hours ago, BigdaddyoCan said:

So I saw the notice in GM Authority newsletter about this drain. I have a 2021 1500 LT but have not experienced this issue yet. Is it safe to say I am not affected by this?

The customer satisfaction number reference is N212335340 but I cannot find details to tell if I need to get this fix for my truck. Any ideas where I caul look it up?

https://gmauthority.com/blog/2021/05/gm-releases-fix-for-2021-chevy-silverado-gmc-sierra-battery-drain-issue/

The notice also says GM will contact the owner, if their truck is effected and to contact their dealer for repair.