2003 Chevy Tahoe. If I turn car off and open cargo door, for even a few minutes to load something, the battery drains and I can't start without a jump. What is that?

Asked by TahoeGirl7 Sep 20, 2014 at 01:21 PM about the 2003 Chevrolet Tahoe

Question type: Maintenance & Repair

Started out of the blue and is very irritating. Sound like it's the starter because of clicking
when you turn over, but starts right up with jump and is fine until I forGet and open the
cargo door with ignition off. I can open cargo door if engine is running and it does not
affect start up.

2 Answers

200,915

Sounds like your battery might be going bad. Check all battery connections they must be clean and tight. Also check alternator output voltage. It should be around 14.5 volts to keep battery fully charged.

51,215

dandyoun is right on. If your connection to the battery are corroded, it will not accept a charge or a very slow weak charge and your running off the alternator. If you have some WD-40 and a small wire brush, and even a fine grit sand or emery paper, that will clean the connections to the battery. As long as your battery is disconnected, take it to a shop and have it tested. If there is one bad cell, it will not hold enough juice to turn over the engine. New batteries can go bad quickly, and harsh winter weather or hot summer weather can wreck havoc on batteries.

Your Answer:

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