Electrical nightmare !!

[HUMMERDAD]

Ok has anyone has there duce drain a battery until dead with out showing any obivious signs had the alternater checked ok, replaced the battery with optima yelloe top, and now it not getting charged by the duce it seems I am not rocket scientist but this just don't add up.. Ok new thing jumped it letting iddle everythings fine got board take it for a drive get a quater way down the street the lights all dimm I get this whirrling sound from the dash all dash lights come on at the same time it seems like it tried to reset itself. so take it for a short drive 10mins or so it does this 3 more times park the duce pull the key out yea at least that worked, then courisity got the best of me and tired to restert it dead no click nothing had to hook the cables back up just to get the keys and lock it up.Ok looking at a post on an 03 that talked about the onstar being replaced by the dealer and not matching the vin or number of some kind basically the wrong one anyone heard this??:no:

 

[LagunaH1]

Have you tried doing a drain test?

Get an ammeter and place it inline with the battery, making sure the ammeter is fused to protect the meter. Then, wait up to 20 minutes to make sure all modules are in "sleep mode" and then see how much current is drawn by the truck's systems.

 

[HUMMERDAD]

Thanks for the tip LagunaH1 Its been a frustrating hickup had to jump the duce 3 times one for my own lack of thinking forgot about the whole key lock with out power. Anyway one of the tmies I had it up and running I noticed the running lights would not turn off for 10 mins and the AMP gage was all over the place just seemed liked the alternater gave up yet all systems are working when running.

 

[LagunaH1]

Hmm.... Did you check the alternator and battery's ground straps / ground connections? Any chance that any modules have been exposed to water at some point in the past?

 

[HUMMERDAD]

The battery cables seem to be in good condition I was troubble free when I put in the yellow top then she sat for a week and nothing now this and yes she been in deep snow in 2011 in the chicago area when we where pulling duty at a warming station no one else could get out of the driveways the duce just plowed it's way not sure if something that long ago would now be affecting it??

 

[LagunaH1]

I'd still think a drain test would be a good place to start if you haven't done one already

 

[alrock]

The weird signs might be due to a weak battery, which is why they went away after a few minutes. Might want to have the battery checked after running the truck for a couple of hours and see if the battery is fully charged - not just to verify if the alternator is working (which I know you tested) but that juice is flowing through those cables. I've had corroded cables that looked fine from the outside but were shot on the inside.

 

[3Hummers]

Ground connected well?

 

[Jwy1966]

Factory cables have a history of corroding underneath the rubber cover check them just below the ring connector.

 

[M22KLARS]

How about the mega starter fuse in your fuse box? Mine blew and I had the same problems. Might we worth replacing just for ****s and giggles.

 

[MuDnYrI]

Could be you have a bad Yellowtop. They are very hit and mis now that they are made in Mexico. I went through 2 bad Yellowtops before my current (3rd) YT that has been OK now for 3 years.

 

[Hunner]

I was following this and have decided to mention something you may want to check. The alternator having been checked for charging but could be intermittent and was not caught. Also even though it was putting out, if a diode is blown it will "leak back" I would try again to eliminate the alternator at a shop that rebuilds them and knows how to also check the diodes.

 

[atvspeed4]

I was following this and have decided to mention something you may want to check. The alternator having been checked for charging but could be intermittent and was not caught. Also even though it was putting out, if a diode is blown it will "leak back" I would try again to eliminate the alternator at a shop that rebuilds them and knows how to also check the diodes.

I definitely agree that this ^ is worth checking. We had this happen on a skid steer and also my gmc sonoma I used to have.

 

[HUMMERDAD]

Update.. Thankyou all your responces were a great help. Lessoned learned positive cable when useing the Optimua battery it is conciderbly smaller then OEM and will shift somewhat in the battery tray LOSSENING YOUR BATTERY CABLES when this happens particulary on the positive side you will get these strange things happening. The best I can figure is when the postive cable came lose enough it sent the duce into a fit trying to connect and reboot it's self like when you change the battery. The cables were checked and seemed tight after haveing the battery check the alternator checked and no postive conclusions I remembered that when removing the battery the positive cable was loose. It has been an interesting and very frustrating issue but one that seems to have concluded it's self I am keeping an eye on the battery and will see if my conclusions are correct. I will keep all updated if it happens again...

 

[alrock]

Glad to hear it was a simple issue

 

[Savethereef]

Hi hummerdad. I plan to replace my stock battery soon with a yellow top. What model did you get? I went to auto part store and the kid there wanted to sell me one over the counter. He did not seem sure of him self so I just want to make sure. What should the cranking power be also since I run amps woofers and plan to add roof lights.
Any advise would be appreciated.
TIA

 

[HUMMERDAD]

I have the yellow top Optimua with duel posts so I can hook up my accessarys seperatly mine has 1000 cranking amps and I believe 740 sustained. Just an FYI the optimua is alot smaller then OEM so you have to realy careful and make sure ir's good and tight. I wound up cutting the battery cover up so I could put it back over the battery. I will try and get some pics so you can see when the weather clears up.

 

[Savethereef]

Great would really appreciate it.
Here is the pic of the battery I took at store. Does look smaller than the stock. I honestly forgot what the battery harness looks like on my H2. All I see is a cloth looking cover on my batt. I'll check mine to this weekend.

Thx

 

[HUMMERDAD]

That looks like the same one to me we've had a cold snap here so havent looked yet but will today. The battery has been great just be sure you have it secured down really good. The battery blanket on mine was trashed so I cut it up for my purposes.

 

[Savethereef]

Is yours really 1000 cranking amps though? This on is only 870CA

 

[HUMMERDAD]

Yes when I had the battery checked out thats what the actual reading the battery was showing on there machine.I have posted pics on the facebook page hope this helped in one of the pics you see how much smaller the opituma batterys are compaired to the OEM style sitting in the battery tray.

 

[Aquatek]

Had a nightmare scenario 2 days ago when my H2 wouldnt start, radio was booming & interior lights were strong but the car wouldnt start, then, nothing, no lights or anything...key stuck in the ignition etc... Turned out to be the positive lead connection at the battery being a little loose, all good now

 

[alrock]

Glad to hear it was a simple fix, Aquatek.