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Followup To
Question - Thank you for your quick reply. i have already checked the radio, even took it out completely and it still drained the battery. There are no lights that i can see that are on. i have went out at night and looked for any signs of light and could see none. Do you have any other suggestions that I might try? I didnt have this problem until my cigarette lighter grounded out. The coating on the wire was burnt off, so i took the fuse out for the lighter.
Thanks.
I have a 1987 GMC S15 pickup truck that has a good battery in it, but something is draining the battery everynight, overnight. I have returned my battery and got brand new ones three times so i know the problem isnt with the battery. I had to buy a charger to keep charging it up again, but I cannot find out where the problem lies. It must be some kind of short or something in the system. Is it possible that my alternator has something to do with it? Or how can I troubleshoot this problem. It charges right back up in a couple of hours, but then drains overnight again. Can you help me. Thanks in advance.
Hopper
Answer -
Check for the obvious first. A glove compartment or engine compartment light that is staying on?
Also, GMs are known to have a problem with their radios that can drain the battery. You might try removing the fuse for the radios memory circuit, which is powered on all the time.
AnswerOkay, you are on the right track.
Try removing other fuses, noting their value and location, and see if your battery stays charged. If you find that removing a fuse stops the problem, you will need to look at the wiring for that circuit and see what devices it powers.
Also, be sure that the diodes in your alternator are working properly. The alternator can be tested for free at most alternator shops. Alternatively, you can try disconnecting the big wire on the back of the alternator after removing the negative lead from the battery. Tape up the end of the big wire and reconnect the battery ground. If the battery stays charged, you have a problem with the alternator or the wiring to it.
