2004 Tahoe Z71 killing batteries

[mattt]

I've owned my Tahoe for a little over 3 years now. Bought it with 144k, just rolled 250k. Overall it's been good to me but as of this week, I'm wondering if there is something at work with the electrical system of this Tahoe. Out of the blue this week, my battery died, like barely start the car died. I had the battery replaced 2 years ago under warranty by AAA because the prior owner had a new AAA battery put, you guessed it, about 2 years before that. This is now 2 batteries that are only making it 2 years before they give up the ghost.

Is this a function of, from what I've read, the gremlin-y electrical system of the 03-06 Tahoes, or just a testament to poor quality batteries from the AAA Auto Club battery truck? Anyone else had this?

 

[reedal]

I’m assuming these are wet cell batteries? Or are they AGM? I prefer AGM. Much much longer use out of them. Wet cell really are only good for a couple years in my experience. You might be able to squeeze three years out, but that’s going to be a stretch. Where your vehicle is located can effect battery life a lot as well. Heat is terrible for batteries. If you’re in a hot area already, having the battery in the hot engine bay combined with weather temp is going to effect how long it lasts as well.

 

[mattt]

For the Tahoe I use std wet batteries. I don't spend the money on AGM for Tahoe. I've never had a wet battery only last 2 years. More typical life has been 4 years or more. Still thinking there is a underlying problem.

 

[Michigan]

I just bought a 2004 Tahoe z71 exactly a week ago as well. I drove it home 2 hours the day I purchased it and it has sat since. I've started it throughout the week with no issues and also I started it today a slower crank then tried starting again about a few hours later and just clicking. I jump started it and fired up. Turned it off and started it right back no problem.

About another few hours later go out to see if it starts and no start. I just so happened to have a yellow top optima at home model number D34/78. So I put it in and it starts right up.

Battery that was in it was an autocraft silver 75-2.

The reason I haven't been driving it is I haven't had it registered and insured but I will this week.

Do you guys think that this is simply a case of the battery just dying or another underlying problem like the OP? The autocraft battery has a date of 1/14 on it.

Does anyone know the life span of these battery's? I did a quick search but seen different answers. Hope this doesn't have any electrical problems that are killing battery's because before I purchased the truck i did a Carfax and it showed that it was in a shop to have electrical system checked and when I asked the seller about it they said it had an aftermarket alarm sytem that caused the horn to beep or something. Can't remember exactly what he said

I will take the battery in to advance auto shop to have them check it out. Also the alternator was recently replaced from prior owner

 

[mattt]

Interesting post....I have read about the 03-06's sometimes having electrical gremlins that cause strange symptoms. Not sure if that is what is killing my batteries every 2 years.

 

[79jasper]

If it was a electrical problem, I don't see if taking 2 years. It should be much sooner.
You said you don't spend the money on AGM, well maybe it's time to start?

Sent from my SM-G892A using Tapatalk

 

[mattt]

I'll follow GM's lead, if the Tahoe required it, they would have spec'd AGM battery.

This is the only vehicle I've owned that chewed thru a battery in 2 years. It's also the only vehicle I have ever had an AAA battery in. It could be either option causing the early death.

 

[JakeO625]

I have an 03 Denali that does the same thin every 2 years or so the battery goes to junk. I thought I was crazy but I see I'm not the only one having this problem. Subscribed

 

[mattt]

Interesting there is now two of us, wonder how many more there are? Yeah, I thought I was the crazy one or wondering if something I did or didn't do was the root cause of early battery death. Hope this thread finds the answer to this issue.

 

[David Smith]

My vote is for a bad battery. I agree with 79jasper. I do not think it would take 2 years for an electrical problem to be noticed. I feel like you would notice something nearly every time that you drive.

Is the old battery serviceable? If so, have you checked to see if it is low on water?