Something draining battery

Asked by GuruNHFJM Nov 02, 2019 at 03:28 PM about the 2013 GMC Sierra 2500HD

Question type: Maintenance & Repair

Something in my car is draining the battery, but
only when temperature is below freezing. The
battery is less than a year old. Have had no issues,
then first below freezing night hit this week and car
wouldn’t start next day. I charged the battery and
started right up. Same thing happened last year.

I’m certainly no expert related to car mechanics. I
did hook up a meter to the battery and pulled fuses
one by one. Didn’t find anything using power. Is
there something in a car that only kicks on when it
gets cold and would use the battery?

Any help appreciated!!

1 Answer

157,575

When things get cold they contract. I suspect you have a switch that needs replacing. Many years ago I had a car that when it got really cold outside the horn would start blaring. I replaced the horn switch in the steering wheel and that fixed it. What was happening was the cold caused the switch to contract and make contact like someone was pressing the horn button. I'm thinking the same thing is going on with your vehicle. Only something less obvious than the horn blaring at 3am is turning on and draining the battery. Possibly the interior lights or maybe the blower motor for the heater. I'd suggest waiting until it's cold outside and walk around the vehicle. Look for any lights on and listen for anything running. Once you determine what it is, you can replace the offending switch. Hope that helps! Jim

1 people found this helpful.

Your Answer:

CarGurus Experts

  • #1
    Gilbert Tijerina
    Reputation
    490
  • #2
    BoholMark
    Reputation
    460
  • #3
    Marcus Victorius
    Reputation
    410
View All

Find great deals from top-rated dealers

Search

Related Models For Sale

Used Chevrolet Silverado 2500HD
25 Great Deals out of 1,249 listings starting at $9,990
Used GMC Sierra 1500
148 Great Deals out of 7,070 listings starting at $3,950
Used Ford F-250 Super Duty
26 Great Deals out of 1,180 listings starting at $8,995
Used RAM 2500
47 Great Deals out of 2,164 listings starting at $14,998
Used GMC Sierra 3500HD
17 Great Deals out of 1,414 listings starting at $11,950
Used Chevrolet Silverado 1500
222 Great Deals out of 5,891 listings starting at $2,975
Used Ford F-150
327 Great Deals out of 15,257 listings starting at $3,295
Used Ford F-350 Super Duty
35 Great Deals out of 2,607 listings starting at $8,888
Used Chevrolet Silverado 3500HD
15 Great Deals out of 883 listings starting at $6,495
Used Toyota Tundra
41 Great Deals out of 1,168 listings starting at $9,395
Used GMC Yukon
10 Great Deals out of 836 listings starting at $1,225
Used RAM 1500
545 Great Deals out of 15,575 listings starting at $5,000
Used RAM 3500
40 Great Deals out of 2,345 listings starting at $6,777

Content submitted by Users is not endorsed by CarGurus, does not express the opinions of CarGurus, and should not be considered reviewed, screened, or approved by CarGurus. Please refer to CarGurus Terms of Use. Content will be removed if CarGurus becomes aware that it violates our policies.