'14 Chevy Impala - Battery Dies Overnight - Part I

PUBLIC SERVICE ANNOUNCEMENT - If you are watching this video on 4/15/24 or 4/16/24 and you don't fall asleep before the end screen and you see part II is listed as "Members Only." DO NOT PANIC Do not send me nasty emails, don't unsubscribe, don't tell me I am an asshole or a sellout in the comments and DO NOT CALL MY SHOP to tell me you can't watch it. The part II will be posted on the 17th at 6am just like I ALWAYS DO. The reason it says members only is because there are some folks that support our YouTube channel by becoming a "YouTube Member" and it gives them early access to all videos I put out. Take a breath, slow down, everything is gonna be OK. Thanks for watching! -Eric O.

Back in the early eighties, we had a customer whose battery died three times, about every six days. After a slow charge, it would test good. Her charging system, current draw and starter also tested OK. The fourth time me and my helper went to her house to get her started. We found her Chevrolet parked on a steep incline and it was drawing current from the battery. Checking around we found that it had a trunk light that used a mercury switch. My helper climbed into the trunk and sure enough the light stayed on with the trunk closed. Things were much simpler in those days.

I taught wiring diagrams on jets for many years. Love this stuff. Then, I bought a 2015 Silverado WORK TRUCK with a 300+ page owner's manual! I spent 2 days chasing RPO codes before finding the parasitic current draw. I'm retired now so I love watching other people teach this stuff.

Between you and ScannerDanner, I can't tell you how much your videos have helped me take my automotive knowledge to the next level. It's really helped me help other people. Thanks for what you do!

Old people are kinda funny! That cracked me up because as an old person, I can confirm.

As an "Old Person" all my safety glasses have readers built in now! I have about 10 sets between the House, Shop and Work!

As someone who went to vocational automotive school in 1970 and quit working on cars in the 1980's, I really got left behind when it comes to electronics. Now at age 74 there is no catching up! Eric, your diagnostic skills really amaze me. Although I don't always know exactly what you are talking about, your videos always make me stop and think. Thanks for someone who can still make me THINK!! Great Videos!!

Another great video from SMA ..I would rather watch this than the stuff they push on tv ..from a retired mechanic this is totally entertaining Eric ..thank you !!

So far I haven’t been able to find a reputable mechanic here in Reno that is willing to dig deep into an electrical issue. If my back wasn’t hurting all the time I would follow in my father and grandfather’s footsteps. They both were mechanics by trade. My grandfather rocked for a man with no high school or college education. Told me to learn electronics if I was going to be a mechanic, he wasn’t wrong.

Interesting this problem and repeated flat battery. I’ve recently had similar issues with my GM Vauxhall 2ltr diesel automatic. It started happening in January 24. The car radio/ Satnav stopped working! My daughter working for a National breakdown company called and plugged into the diagnostic socket to tell us a radio fault? So we disconnected it. But within two days, flat battery again. Cutting to the chase and after three garages looking at the problem and another new battery (the one on the car was 1 year old) it cost me around $1000 to be told that one of my young grandsons had put a 10p coin into the CD player which is a separate device to the radio. Direct short circuit, I got a used CD player off EBay for $25 Oh dear! Expensive 10 cents but after watching many of your videos it made realise how much time these electrical problems can cost in time and money. Keep up the good work, best Wishes to you and your family 😊

Electrical issues have always been my weak suite as a technician! I'm truly grateful for your diagnostic skills and very much appreciated and helpful!

I purchased a used Fusion from a friend that had a draw that drained the battery in a day. Traced it back to an aftermarket remote start system. Removed it and never had an issue afterwards. While removing it I found hideous workmanship done by the installer. They stripped various wires and wrapped the remote start wires around the factory wires and simply taped them up. This is why I never use shops to have work done. I do it myself.

Never before have I been on the edge of my seat watching someone current probe an interior fuse box

Fluke 87 or 88 true RMS automotive meter. Once i used one, never went back to the others. Pricey meter, but worth it for the low voltage and amperage accuracy, among many other test functions. Awesome video as always Mr.O. Thank you for all you do.

Mr. O.: "Old people are kind of funny." Me: "Why you young whipper-snapper!!"... 🤣

Outstanding! And as a former GM tech, you sir earned yourself .3 labor for your diagnosis under warranty! (Unless you want to fist fight with corporate for straight time that they kick and scream to deny!)

The same thing happened to me once with my Rav4. Took it to the dealership only to have a service 'advisor' tell me I wasn't driving my car enough for the battery to be charged. It turned out to be a relay that was being left open that was draining my battery. They ended up doing a firmware update. Between that and a conversation with the service manager telling him how stupid my advisor was all was good and it fixed my issue! Oh and the advisor never did apologize when he told me what the issue turned out to be.

Brilliant way to start the week, watching Eric O chase phantom current. I was on the edge of my seat.

You do a great service providing these videos. This one is a very good example of why we need more people capable of doing great work

On my daughter”s Chevy Impala, it was the door actuator for the heating system, that was drawing the juice. Also heard a knocking sound as well though, even when car was off and key was removed.