Dead Battery...... Battery Tender?
Platinum Member
Joined: 05-09-2006
Posts: 6,805
From: "Upland" Mesa, Arizona
I would suggest, as others have, that you have a parasitic drain. A proper battery tender will take care of this. But you are using the "band-aid approach". Find the source of the drain first.
Taking the car to the dealer, probably charges the battery enough to cover any defect in the battery. Charging it at idle in a garage, as stated, will not charge to full capacity.
I know many people who store vehicles for some shorter periods of time....many for 2-3 weeks.....and have no problem (I'm one of them). But storing a vehicle for longer periods may warrant the need of a battery tender. For example, when I take extended vacations, 4-6 weeks, I sometimes use a solar powered battery tender. But on a few occasions I forgot to hook it up.....the car still started.
I believe I read someplace, that GM has had a problem with a component in the BCM that "sticks" and improper draws small amounts of current...enough to drain a battery in about a week. You might want to check this with the dealer.
But your add-on components may be the culprit.
Taking the car to the dealer, probably charges the battery enough to cover any defect in the battery. Charging it at idle in a garage, as stated, will not charge to full capacity.
I know many people who store vehicles for some shorter periods of time....many for 2-3 weeks.....and have no problem (I'm one of them). But storing a vehicle for longer periods may warrant the need of a battery tender. For example, when I take extended vacations, 4-6 weeks, I sometimes use a solar powered battery tender. But on a few occasions I forgot to hook it up.....the car still started.
I believe I read someplace, that GM has had a problem with a component in the BCM that "sticks" and improper draws small amounts of current...enough to drain a battery in about a week. You might want to check this with the dealer.
But your add-on components may be the culprit.
Senior Member
Joined: 10-15-2007
Posts: 199
From: Yukon
Battery Drain can be Normal
I would suggest, as others have, that you have a parasitic drain. A proper battery tender will take care of this. But you are using the "band-aid approach". Find the source of the drain first.
Taking the car to the dealer, probably charges the battery enough to cover any defect in the battery. Charging it at idle in a garage, as stated, will not charge to full capacity.
I know many people who store vehicles for some shorter periods of time....many for 2-3 weeks.....and have no problem (I'm one of them). But storing a vehicle for longer periods may warrant the need of a battery tender. For example, when I take extended vacations, 4-6 weeks, I sometimes use a solar powered battery tender. But on a few occasions I forgot to hook it up.....the car still started.
I believe I read someplace, that GM has had a problem with a component in the BCM that "sticks" and improper draws small amounts of current...enough to drain a battery in about a week. You might want to check this with the dealer.
But your add-on components may be the culprit.
Taking the car to the dealer, probably charges the battery enough to cover any defect in the battery. Charging it at idle in a garage, as stated, will not charge to full capacity.
I know many people who store vehicles for some shorter periods of time....many for 2-3 weeks.....and have no problem (I'm one of them). But storing a vehicle for longer periods may warrant the need of a battery tender. For example, when I take extended vacations, 4-6 weeks, I sometimes use a solar powered battery tender. But on a few occasions I forgot to hook it up.....the car still started.
I believe I read someplace, that GM has had a problem with a component in the BCM that "sticks" and improper draws small amounts of current...enough to drain a battery in about a week. You might want to check this with the dealer.
But your add-on components may be the culprit.
Page 3-20
The battery can be discharged at idle if the electrical
loads are very high. This is true for all vehicles. This is
because the generator (alternator) may not be
spinning fast enough at idle to produce all the power
that is needed for very high electrical loads.
A high electrical load occurs when several of the
following loads are on: headlamps, high beams, fog
lamps, rear window defogger, climate control fan at high
speed, heated seats, engine cooling fans, trailer
loads, and loads plugged into accessory power outlets.
loads are very high. This is true for all vehicles. This is
because the generator (alternator) may not be
spinning fast enough at idle to produce all the power
that is needed for very high electrical loads.
A high electrical load occurs when several of the
following loads are on: headlamps, high beams, fog
lamps, rear window defogger, climate control fan at high
speed, heated seats, engine cooling fans, trailer
loads, and loads plugged into accessory power outlets.
speed, heated seats and short trips of 4 km at max speed 50 kph.
New Member
Joined: 04-11-2008
Posts: 19
From: Texas
For what it's worth I have just had a flat battery in my HHR. (I tow behind a motorhome and when doing so you need to pull one of the fuses. To stop battery drain. I forgot!)
I locked the HHR up for the night, using the remote, ready to hit the road in the morning. (You have to leave the key in the ignition). I only have one key. (Don't ask).
So one dead HHR. With a flat battery your remote won't open up your HHR. So I had to call in someone to 'break' into the HHR. No go. Doors won't unlock without power. Rear tail won't open to jump the battery. In the end we had to break open the hood and jump start from up front.
The moral of the story is don't get a flat battery without a key to get entry.
I locked the HHR up for the night, using the remote, ready to hit the road in the morning. (You have to leave the key in the ignition). I only have one key. (Don't ask).
So one dead HHR. With a flat battery your remote won't open up your HHR. So I had to call in someone to 'break' into the HHR. No go. Doors won't unlock without power. Rear tail won't open to jump the battery. In the end we had to break open the hood and jump start from up front.
The moral of the story is don't get a flat battery without a key to get entry.
Senior Member
Joined: 10-15-2007
Posts: 199
From: Yukon
For what it's worth I have just had a flat battery in my HHR. (I tow behind a motorhome and when doing so you need to pull one of the fuses. To stop battery drain. I forgot!)
I locked the HHR up for the night, using the remote, ready to hit the road in the morning. (You have to leave the key in the ignition). I only have one key. (Don't ask).
So one dead HHR. With a flat battery your remote won't open up your HHR. So I had to call in someone to 'break' into the HHR. No go. Doors won't unlock without power. Rear tail won't open to jump the battery. In the end we had to break open the hood and jump start from up front.
The moral of the story is don't get a flat battery without a key to get entry.
I locked the HHR up for the night, using the remote, ready to hit the road in the morning. (You have to leave the key in the ignition). I only have one key. (Don't ask).
So one dead HHR. With a flat battery your remote won't open up your HHR. So I had to call in someone to 'break' into the HHR. No go. Doors won't unlock without power. Rear tail won't open to jump the battery. In the end we had to break open the hood and jump start from up front.
The moral of the story is don't get a flat battery without a key to get entry.
Within a few days of getting home with my HHR I was at the locksmith getting a door key cut. It just opens the door. It is hidden behind the licence plate on a mounting screw.
Senior Member
Joined: 08-06-2008
Posts: 1,761
From: Grand Haven, MI
I use this brand:
They have several options including hard wiring to the batt., using the lighter socket, and clips right on the battery posts. They will not boil the battery, rather just maintain.
I have one on my tractor, motorcycle, generator and have used one on my mother s car which is frequently stored up to 6 months at a time.
I highly recommend for long term storage as I have never had a battery problem since using.
They have several options including hard wiring to the batt., using the lighter socket, and clips right on the battery posts. They will not boil the battery, rather just maintain.
I have one on my tractor, motorcycle, generator and have used one on my mother s car which is frequently stored up to 6 months at a time.
I highly recommend for long term storage as I have never had a battery problem since using.
Senior Member
Joined: 06-18-2006
Posts: 839
From: Hillcrest, San Diego, CA
How about a solar battery maintainer, you could mount the solar panel outside your garage or out a window, and run the cable to your battery. http://www.sunsei.com/Solar-Lifestyle/RV-Living I keep one on my GMC Jimmy since it doesnt get used that often, and one in my HHR to maintain my battery for my laptop use.