Battery problem
2013 Chevy Tahoe with 120K miles. Battery was last replaced Jan '17. For the past 8 months, especially after a cold night or when we haven't driven the car for a day or two, the car shows low batt...
Forum Discussion
If you are not ready yet to change the battery you might want to run a few more tests. Keep in mind that what really matters is the voltage to the starter. Connect your positive voltmeter lead directly to the starter and your negative lead to the block and see what voltage the starter is getting. If it is more than a volt or so lower than what you have been finding at the battery you may have a problem with the wiring.
Check battery + terminal to starter during starting to find the drop in that wire and engine block to battery negative terminal to find the voltage drop there. The return circuit is often overlooked but more critical than the hot side. A failure in the return circuit can cause seemingly unrelated problems elsewhere, like axle bearings. A bad ground strap from the engine to the battery can lead the return current to find an alternate path and the wheel bearings is one of them. Try to check the voltage drop across any connections or relays.
I tend to agree with the opinions that you most likely need a new battery but these tests are pretty quick and cheap so you may want to do them anyway.
Check battery + terminal to starter during starting to find the drop in that wire and engine block to battery negative terminal to find the voltage drop there. The return circuit is often overlooked but more critical than the hot side. A failure in the return circuit can cause seemingly unrelated problems elsewhere, like axle bearings. A bad ground strap from the engine to the battery can lead the return current to find an alternate path and the wheel bearings is one of them. Try to check the voltage drop across any connections or relays.
I tend to agree with the opinions that you most likely need a new battery but these tests are pretty quick and cheap so you may want to do them anyway.
