Diagnostic Aids

WARNING: This page is about a different variant/trim than selected.

Rule out any possible aftermarket equipment causing an unacceptable parasitic current drain. Aftermarket accessories installed into the courtesy lamp circuit can cause the inadvertent power timer in the body control module (BCM) to keep resetting. This may cause the BCM to remain awake and cause a current drain on the battery.
Rule out customer driving habits such as regular short trips that do not allow enough time to properly charge the battery. Refer to Battery Description and Operation .
Verify that the battery and charging system are in proper working order. Refer to Battery Charging , and Charging System Test (Without CZ2) .
A battery discharging for no apparent reason while the vehicle is parked can be caused by an intermittent draw, such as a module waking up, or a continuous draw, such as a dome light or stuck relay.
Some systems and modules such as OnStar®, and regulated voltage control, if equipped, are designed to wake up, perform a task, and go back asleep at regular intervals. Refer to Body Control System Description and Operation for the system or modules description and operation.
An engine off natural vacuum evaporative test can occur if the engine control module (ECM) determines the drive cycle has met the appropriate criteria immediately after key off. The ECM will stay awake and the vent solenoid will stay energized for as long as 45 min. The typical current draw for this is about 1A.
Digital OnStar generation 6 and later vehicle communication interface module do not "wake up" every 10 min for the first 48 h as the generation 5 and prior. generation 6 and later vehicle communication interface module current draw is very low, less than 40 mA, so the OnStar system is left in that state for up to the first 48 h. Parasitic draw of up to 40 mA with an occasional spike as high as 80 mA through the vehicle communication interface module for the first 48 h is normal.
Some automatic climate control systems can remain in a semi awake state for up to three hours, actual draw amounts vary by vehicle platform but are typically not greater than 50 mA.
An extremely low mA current level is consumed by the remote keyless entry receiver for monitoring purposes, actual system wake up only occurs when the fobs for the vehicle are used. When other devices on the same remote keyless entry operating frequency are activated, such as the 4 tire pressure monitoring sensors and other vehicle FOBs in the vicinity, the remote keyless entry receiver will have a 100 mA spike. These spikes are normal and occur too briefly to have a significant effect on battery drain. Competing signals may cause remote keyless entry performance issues such as jamming but should not cause excessive battery draw.
If an excessive current draw is not present during initial testing, continue periodic testing over a 1-2 hour period to see if the current draw increases and stays above an unacceptable level.

NOTE:

The battery specification listed below is a generic specification. Refer to the label on the original battery when testing the battery.

The battery run down time will vary depending on the batteries reserve capacity. If the reserve capacity is higher, then the battery run down time may be longer. If the reserve capacity is lower, then the battery run down time may be shorter. The graph below indicates roughly how many days a 690 cold cranking amperage battery with a 110 min reserve capacity starting at 80% state of charge will last with a constant current draw until it reaches 50% state of charge. Differences in battery reserve capacity and temperature will affect the results.

Current Drain	Days
25mA	33
50mA	16.5
75mA	11
100mA	8.25
250mA	3.3
500mA	1.65
750mA	1
1A	0.8
2A	0.4