Question2 batteries and an alternator later and I let my car sit a few days and it won't start, won't even turn over - completely dead. Dealer had it for 2 and 1/2 weeks and had the fluke meter on it and they could not find anything that was drawing more than 7 spiking to 25 at times. Any ideas??
AnswerKathy;
I picked up your question from the question pool. it seems no one wanted to reply to it.
I'm assuming this is a chronic problem and has happened several times. Or did this just start after the alternator was replaced? Why was the alternator replaced?
Obviously something is causing your battery to drain down. I know first hand that it can be very frustrating trying to locate the problem. It could be anything from a bulb staying on to a module not shutting down.
If the dealership just let your vehicle sit for 2 weeks with a fluke meter hooked up...that's most likely not going to locate the problem.
In my opinion the technician needs to make sure the GM special tool battery cutoff switch is installed between the battery negative and negative cable. This prevents the technician from disconnecting the battery before hooking up the fluke meter. When you disconnect the battery to hook up the fluke, it may disconnect any modules or electronic device that is causing the parasitic drain.
So with the cutoff switch installed. The vehicle should be road tested for awhile and use all the electrical accessories, then park the car, hook up the fluke, and then open the cutoff switch. There is a older GM bulletin explaining the procedure.
Now if after the vehicle sits for 8 hours or so and the fluke does not indicate an excessive milliamp drain, the vehicle should be road tested again ( preferably overnight)
and repeat the procedure. It may take several tries to locate the problem. Just letting the vehicle sit for 2 weeks without driving and loading up all the modules will hardly ever indicate a failure.
I do not know what the dealer has done...they may have already done this procedure. I'm pretty sure(being a GM dealer tech for 20 years) that if you show them this response from me, they're going to tell you that's what they have done, even if they did not.
A couple other things to consider are aftermarket accessories. Make sure no phone chargers, radar units, gps units, etc are left plugged in. Also aftermarket alarm systems have been known to cause this problem too.
I hope this helps you understand the problem a little more.
I usually do not get this involved into a response but you caught me on a good day.
I would also consider calling the Chevy zone office to see if they can be of some assistance...set up a case file and contact GM technical service.
Feel free to reply back with more questions and I'll try to help you out.
Bob
Hi Kathy:
Just curios, what ended up being the problem with your Monte Carlo...Hope it was not too much of a headache.
Bob
