Dead battery

[seagravedriver]

So far my wife feels that after a decade of minivans, the 07 Yukon XL is like taking a vacation every time she drives it. Thats the good part.

The down side is 8 times in the last few months we have had a dead battery after it sits overnight. One time we traced it to the DVD system being on, but only that once. We have friends that live in an area where snow is almost a constant during the winter, and it will not start after sitting in 28 degree weather overnight. Letting it sit for a few days during a "cold snap" in WA State will also kill the battery. Bear in mind this is Western WA, we are not talking temps in the teens. Watching a DVD for a half an hour is out of the question, and I am too nervous to listen to the radio while it is off as well. The radio is stock, the DVD system is an add on.
The battery and alternator have been "checked", by a reputable battery shop, but no further. I plan on going to another shop that has a bit more depth other than just selling batteries, but would like some ideas that maybe I could deal with this myself. Many thanks.

 

[07Burb]

Have you checked the install of the DVD system and when was the DVD system installed? It's possible that it was installed incorrectly and is constantly pulling from the battery rather than just when the key is in the "on" position.

 

[seagravedriver]

It is scheduled to go in on Monday to the folks who installed it. It is an upgraded model, "Z10" or something like that for the DVD system. They did say the previous model did have a drain problem. I will update in a few days.

 

[bigbluebowtie]

Do you leave the keys in the ignition overnight?
I've been told the keys in the ignition stop the onstar from completely shutting down somehow.

It also seems like a lot of 07's are due for a battery by now, if it is the original

 

[seagravedriver]

The keys have never been left in. Not that we live in a dodgy neighborhood, it is just not something we do. I am willing to think battery, but dang, I have never had something like this. If i need to buy a bigger one, or perhaps duals, I will consider it, but I am guessing there is a problem. I just DO NOT want my wife with a no start situation.

We parked next to a maxed out 2011 Expedition EL tonight at a church function. If you offered us that for our 07 Yukon......nope. The Yukon is that good of a ride. We love it.

 

[cwh]

I'd probably have the battery double checked. Make sure a load checker is used to check for bad cells. I had a nearly identical problem on my '07 Yukon. It ended up an intermittant bad cell in the factory ac delco battery.

 

[07Burb]

It could be both a bad battery and load drain from the DVD system. I know ijust had to replace the original battery in my '07. I'll be interested to hear the outcome after they check your DVD system out especially since it's known for issues like this.

 

[seagravedriver]

I'd probably have the battery double checked. Make sure a load checker is used to check for bad cells. I had a nearly identical problem on my '07 Yukon. It ended up an intermittant bad cell in the factory ac delco battery.

You nailed it cwh! Intermitant dead cell. The folks that installed the DVD spent over an hour with it, and found just the battery issue. No charge

Easy instal on the battery, and we are good to go.

 

[07Burb]

That's good to hear