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Battery Drain

 
bloomsman bloomsman
New User | Posts: 1 | Joined: 08/08
Posted: 08/21/08
06:28 PM

I have a leased 2006 DTS Cadillac that the battery goes dead if car is not driven every two weeks. After the first dead battery incident Cadillac installed a new battery (Dealer "car sat on lot too long before being leased"), took car to Florida and on return trip our radio was all static even when shut off, we have had trouble with automatic lights, signal indicators on mirrors, etc. We have often had to get a jump from another vehicle, the portable chargers would not turn over engine. I have written Cadillac twice and they send us back to dealer who does a quick diagnosis and say "you don't drive the car enough" I think something in the electronics is draining the battery, as we are in our seventies and after 23 months, the dealer again did a diagnosis again and recommended we purchase and have them install a battery charger/refresher? I disagreed and when I picked up car discovered the "air bag" indicator was now flashing, Dealer did a computer check but could not correct problem, they do not have a replacement module in stock so I have to bring car back (90 mile round trip).  I was wondering how many Cadillac/GM drivers are having similar problem. This is out 9th and last Cadillac.  

 
marc.noordeloos marc.noordeloos
User | Posts: 175 | Joined: 10/06
Posted: 09/03/08
07:04 AM

My wife has an '06 Subaru that has had similar problems, though far less severe. No check engine lights, electrical gremlins, etc, just a dead battery once in a while. They did trace a battery drain to a bad radio about a year in a half ago and replaced it. It cured the issue for quite a while. She doesn't drive very many miles (3500 per year) and it seems about 2-weeks of sitting kills the battery and then it never seems to fully recover again. The dealer has replaced the battery twice (under warranty), they are helpful, but they say the car needs to be driven more.

In all honesty, I think a battery charger/maintainer would be a worthwhile purchase especially given your 45 mile distance from the dealer. They aren't very expensive. Modern cars have so many electrical systems that the battery gets a serious workout, especially with your driving habits.  

 

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