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Chevy Tahoe Battery Problems

252 messages,  Last post on Feb 26, 2013 at 7:56 AM

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Messages Page 14 of 26

#122 of 252 What's normal? by triadium

Apr 23, 2010 (10:59 am)

I have a 2007 Chevy Tahoe that I've had since 2006. Since I've had it I've experienced several times (5+) a dead battery as a result of running the dvd player without the engine running. My question is this: how long should I be able to run it before the fully-charged battery dies? In my experience, it can die in under 15 minutes. Is this normal? It seems to me that it should run much longer. In other words, can someone walk me through the math to calculate what the theoretical time the Tahoe battery would last under the draw of the entertainment system? By the way, here's a snippet from Edmunds' Long Term Road Test of the 2007 Chevy Tahoe (full article = http://www.insideline.com/chevrolet/tahoe/2007/long-term-test-2007-chevrolet-tah- oe-lt.html):
 
"On two occasions the Tahoe failed to start. First it was because we ran the headlights with the engine off, and then we overused the radio on accessory mode. Each time the battery was solely in use for about 20 minutes. With the help of jumper cables the SUV started right up both times, but we found it hard to believe there was such limited juice in the battery."

#123 of 252 Re: What's normal? [triadium] by kiawah

Apr 23, 2010 (11:52 am)

Replying to: triadium (Apr 23, 2010 10:59 am)
Battery storage is rated in AMP-Hours.
 
So a brand new 400 amp hour battery would have enough stored current to drive a 20amp draw on it, for 20 hours....and it would be dead.
 
I don't know the draw by the starter, but it wouldn't surprise me if it's over 100 amps.
 
I know there are a couple people who have complained about battery life while running music. I personally have not experienced that problem, so haven't looked into it and diagnosed the problem. However if I did have the problem, the first thing I'd do is put an ampmeter in series with the battery, to measure the actual current draw when the audio was on. My guess would be, that there are a number of other things that powered while the DVD was on, things that might make the current draw much more substantial than the DVD itself.
 
Could be things like HVAC blower fans, auto-ride compressor, windshield rain sensor, engine/transmission/body computers, ONSTAR transmitter....who knows.
 
You then start unplugging fuses, until you see the current drop. Trouble shoot the problem from there.
 
But try calling the dealer service reps, and see if there is a TSB technical service bulletin or some dealer alert.
 
I do remember a post somewhere that referenced a problem with a 2007 Tahoe LTZ, that had a bad High Speed Bus Bar. It was a defective part which overheats, and simulates a fake dead battery. Battery is actually fine. They indicated there was a bulletin released in April 2009.
 
Good luck.

#124 of 252 Re: What's normal? [triadium] by gmcustsvc

Apr 23, 2010 (1:50 pm)

Replying to: triadium (Apr 23, 2010 10:59 am)
Hello,
I am from GM Customer Service. Can you please email me to give me more information on your vehicle concern? You can click on our profile name, and it will give you my email address. Thank you,
Mariah GM Customer Service

#125 of 252 Re: What's normal? [gmcustsvc] by houghrog

Jun 21, 2010 (8:56 am)

Replying to: gmcustsvc (Apr 23, 2010 1:50 pm)
I also own a 2007 Tahoe VIN# 1GNEK13Z13J129323 with a no start problem that just started over the weekend, 4 days ago. No prior electrical problems, but Thursday morning it would not start. Jumped it quickly and it ran and restarted 4 times. I suspected something was "left on", but found nothing. Then 2 hours later, no start and had to jump it again. Ran fine and restarted multiple times, then no start again. Checked the terminals, both perfectly clean and put a meter on the battery, it showed a small draw, with nothing turned on, basically I was watching it discharge for no reason. Today I am at my Chevrolet Dealer, where I have it served every time. They tell me that it only has 280 cold cranking amps and needs to be replaced with NO warranty on a 6 year battery! Why is that? Yet if I BUY a new one, I DO get the 6 year warranty. I have yet to determine if this will fix the complete "electrical" no start problem, but it better! Is this what I should expect from a new vehicle battery? I have had 4 Tahoe's over the past 10 years with no battery issues. Thanks

#126 of 252 Re: What's normal? [houghrog] by Mr_Shiftright HOST

Jun 21, 2010 (9:28 am)

Replying to: houghrog (Jun 21, 2010 8:56 am)
If a battery is stone cold dead, jump starting it multiple times is not a really good idea (of course, nobody really tells us that) ---furthermore, a jumpstart and running the engine for a bit might get you re-started a couple of times but the battery isn't even close to being re-charged at that point.
 
I'm surprised the battery was not at least "pro-rated"--I think it should be.

#127 of 252 Re: What's normal? [Mr_Shiftright] by houghrog

Jun 21, 2010 (11:53 am)

Replying to: Mr_Shiftright (Jun 21, 2010 9:28 am)
Thanks for the tip. Since my 36 months/36,000 is expired now (although I have GM extended warranty too) they say it is NOT covered even though it is suppose to be a 6 year battery. Good news I guess that the NEW replacement battery at the dealer WILL have a 6 year warranty (prorated I assume).

#128 of 252 Re: What's normal? [houghrog] by gmcustsvc

Jun 21, 2010 (2:00 pm)

Replying to: houghrog (Jun 21, 2010 8:56 am)
Hello Houghrog,
I apologize that you had a problem with your vehicle. Unfortunately I can't diagnose why your battery died over the internet usually the battery is covered under the 3K/3year bumper to bumper warranty unless you have a brand such as a Cadillac then it falls under their warranty. Thank you,
Mariah GM Customer Service

#129 of 252 Re: What's normal? [gmcustsvc] by shadetree88

Jun 21, 2010 (5:30 pm)

Replying to: gmcustsvc (Apr 23, 2010 1:50 pm)
I had dead battery problem on my 07 Silverado, truck would have a dead battery, jump start it and it would be good for 2 or 3 months. Started my truck moved near the house to load up to go out of town and dead battery. Did not jump start it had it towed to dealer, tested batter it had a short in one of the cells. They put in a new AC DELCO under warranty. 6 months latter same problem, when to Auto Zone bought a Duralast 1 1/2 yrs latter still no problems.

#130 of 252 Re: What's normal? [shadetree88] by gmcustsvc

Jun 22, 2010 (1:01 pm)

Replying to: shadetree88 (Jun 21, 2010 5:30 pm)
Hello Shadetree88,
I am sorry that you had to go through the battery issues but I'm glad to hear you are no longer experiencing these problems. I'm not able to determine what was causing the problem with the battery but as I stated earlier I'm glad you are no longer having the problem. Thank you,
Mariah GM Customer Service

#131 of 252 2007 battery drains by dyno1973

Oct 14, 2010 (12:12 am)

My 07 tahoe battery drains completly dead overnight. Wake up next morning and cant start vehicle. I narrowed the problem down to the radio. if i remove the fuse for the radio or unplug the radio it does not drian the battery. I did an amperage check and it is drawing about 2 amps with nothing on in the car. The radio is a replacement that was given to me when my original unit was making a whine when you rev the engine. It really annoying that I am not able to have radio and would have to pay to get something fixed that is a factory defect.

Messages Page 14 of 26

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