Express, Savana & G-Series Vans Offered in both a full size van, or a large box truck, the Express is the modern GM workhorse.

Chevrolet Express
Platform: GMT Van

Battery draining 1988 G 20

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old Oct 30, 2016 | 8:59 PM
  #1  
JIMMYDRIVER1's Avatar
Thread Starter
CF Junior Member
 
Joined: Oct 2015
Posts: 86
Likes: 1
Default Battery draining 1988 G 20

as the title implies, my battery is draining. If it sits for more than a day it almost won't start. It has a new battery. I'm going to get the charging system checked soon. What else could it be and how do I figure it out?
Reply
Old Oct 30, 2016 | 10:57 PM
  #2  
canucklehead's Avatar
CF Veteran
 
Joined: Dec 2012
Posts: 1,584
Likes: 7
Default

Dome light on, but bulb burnt out? You can put a test light between the neg post and the neg batt cable to see if you have a draw...but that wont narrow it down at all. On that van, something must be on.....
Reply
Old Oct 31, 2016 | 11:24 AM
  #3  
kevinkpk's Avatar
CF Monarch
10 Year Member
Liked
 
Joined: Jul 2011
Posts: 5,920
Likes: 140
From: kevinkpk
Default

If you have a volt meter, attach it to the battery, remove fuses individually, if the voltage stop's, you've found the circuit.
Reply
Old Oct 31, 2016 | 6:49 PM
  #4  
JIMMYDRIVER1's Avatar
Thread Starter
CF Junior Member
 
Joined: Oct 2015
Posts: 86
Likes: 1
Default

Thanks guys. I stopped at Autozone today and had the battery tested. I bought it there 10 months ago and it tested bad. I will take tools tomorrow and change it out.
Reply
Old Oct 31, 2016 | 7:06 PM
  #5  
canucklehead's Avatar
CF Veteran
 
Joined: Dec 2012
Posts: 1,584
Likes: 7
Default

While the tools are out, clean up the cables and have a look at the ground strap.....corrosion not your friend....lol.
Reply
Old Nov 24, 2016 | 3:10 PM
  #6  
JIMMYDRIVER1's Avatar
Thread Starter
CF Junior Member
 
Joined: Oct 2015
Posts: 86
Likes: 1
Default

new battery. Still draining.
Reply
Old Nov 24, 2016 | 4:21 PM
  #7  
kevinkpk's Avatar
CF Monarch
10 Year Member
Liked
 
Joined: Jul 2011
Posts: 5,920
Likes: 140
From: kevinkpk
Default

See post #3
Reply
Old Nov 24, 2016 | 9:39 PM
  #8  
JIMMYDRIVER1's Avatar
Thread Starter
CF Junior Member
 
Joined: Oct 2015
Posts: 86
Likes: 1
Default

Thanks Kevin. What I have heard is to remove one battery cable and put a volt meter in between and pull fuses until the voltage shuts down. I know that the clock in the radio pulls juice but it can't pull that much. I'm wondering if the voltage regulator is draining it. I keep a battery cable wrench in the van so it's easy to disconnect it. Saturday a co worker is going to fix the tranny so I might fiddle with it while he has it.
Reply
Old Dec 18, 2016 | 8:25 PM
  #9  
JIMMYDRIVER1's Avatar
Thread Starter
CF Junior Member
 
Joined: Oct 2015
Posts: 86
Likes: 1
Default update

I got my van back from a co worker who fixed the tranny. He knew that I have had several calamities in my life the last 14 months and he wanted to do something to help out a fellow man. Did I mention he used to rebuild trannies for a living and he did mine for free? Well anyway, I drive it a few days and notice it is doing a couple of the same things it was doing before the tranny job. running rough, bucking, sluggish, etc but far worse since the weather got frigid. It's acting like it has a misfire problem like our Blazer was doing right before thanksgiving. A new spark plug fixed that. So now I have new plugs, wires, cap & rotor in hand and 40 degree weather coming in a few days. We do know for a fact that the tranny was going bad by looking at the clutch plates. Since this is a conversion van I hope I can find out what is draining the battery. It might be worth taking the alternator out and having it tested.
Reply
Old Jan 11, 2017 | 7:59 PM
  #10  
JIMMYDRIVER1's Avatar
Thread Starter
CF Junior Member
 
Joined: Oct 2015
Posts: 86
Likes: 1
Default

Originally Posted by kevinkpk
If you have a volt meter, attach it to the battery, remove fuses individually, if the voltage stop's, you've found the circuit.
Finally got around to messing with this problem. I did what you suggested but with a test light. It stayed lit the entire time. I pulled every fuse and unplugged everything from the fuse block. Problem is I need a schematic to show me where to plug everything back in. I'm wondering if there is a horn relay that might be messed up. It honked a few times by itself when the weather was really cold. There is a small black box underneath the driver's seat I have no idea what it is. Very frustrated.
Reply



All times are GMT -5. The time now is 4:33 PM.