Well...it has been an interesting journey with this. Here are how things shape up so far.

I purchased the car about 7 months ago. The first thing i did was travel to NTB and purchase a battery called "Orbital" which is supposed to be their version of the Optima battery. My next stop was Pep Boys (a week later) to have a new alternator installed. I only drive about 10 miles a day during the week and often not at all on Saturdays. On Sundays I usually put maybe 25 miles on her.

Two months later, after not having driven her for 24 hours she wouldn't start. I got a jump and went to NTB...they said the battery was good. Then I went to Pep Boys...they said the alternator was good. fortunately one of the Pep Boys employees was friends with a mech from NTB and they decided that it would be best to replace my battery. NTB replaced it with a new Orbital gel battery and I rolled out non the worse for wear. Everything was ok for 30 days....then I didn't drive her for 24 hours and....she wouldn't start! I got a jump and drove to Pep Boys. They suggested that I take it to Automotive Electrical Services because they were electrical specialists. I did...they kept it for three days but could not find a drain. They even let it sit without moving it hoping it would die but it didn't. So I paid for the testing they had done and went back to Pep Boys. By now I was pretty sick of the whole thing so i just told them to put in a new battery (Bosch) and that is where we are today. I don't have anything extra plugged in. I make sure there are no lights left on and I walk around to make sure the trunk light is out etc. I don't know where to go from here.....

How would I inspect the radio? I never even turn it on....
I wasn't aware the glove box had a light...never open it...may I can just pull the bulb out?

 

To inspect the radio just pull of the big peice of plastic around it, be careful not to crack or break it though, be gentle. Once that is out it is just 4 bolts i think that hold the headunit in the dash, take them out and once again, be careful when sliding the radio out. And then just inspect the wires i guess, and if you think it could be your radio unplug it and see if the problem persists.

 

Thanks much! I'll take it to the stereo shop and give it a shot.....

 

To go completely off topic, my lights looked like yours, I got the kit with the Autosol from Eastwood. They cleaned up really well, they can be saved!!

 

Back to your problem, I don't think it's the stereo. My first choice would be sulfated batteries, probably same batch,same age, been sitting on the shelf awhile, etc,. I would suggest getting a cheap multimeter (about $10), test battery voltage, should be at least 12.5 volts, have someone try to start her while you watch the voltage drop on the meter, it shouldn't be more than 10% (1.25 volts). It's also possible to have a "flat spot" on your starter, that would be my next guess. They can be "borderline" and work fine with a 'jump'. Hope this helps!!

 

Hi
gene...thanks ever so much for the input....I have to tell you...when I took it to the stereo place today they asked if i had replaced the battry, alternator and the starter. I told them I hadn't done the starter yet....like you they said to replace the starter first...then consider unhooking the radio if the problem persisted.....so Monday....we'll see how that works...I think I'll unhook the radio anyway.....I really never listen to music when I drive.

 

Have you had any problems since you had the Bosch battery put in?

 

wow...

 

Wow what?

 

Well....the new battery worked great for about two months. Then this battery drain thing started all over again...It's amazing that between the electrical shop, Pep Boys AND the CHEVY dealership they can't figure it out....I really like the car but it is costing me a small fortune right now.