Battery Voltage

[ewill3rd]

On the DTS the battery goes under the back seat.
I think it is a 79 series battery. You need to be sure to put a battery in there that is properly vented and the correct size. I am not sure I know of many aftermarket batteries that meet those criteria.
All batteries produce gases when they charge, if the battery you install doesn't have the vents that mate up to the hoses back there those gases will vent into the passenger compartment.

We are still here if you need us.
I know we keep those in stock.
Are you out of warranty?
The factory warranty or certfied warranty will pay for battery replacement.

[RSD]

deleted

[RSD]

OK, i'm convinced, I will run it up to see you at Lindsay sometime this month for a battery check. just have to juggle my son starting college and a gruesome commuting schedule. Thanks for the support, all, and Advice, Scott

[ewill3rd]

I feel your pain.
I am glad to offer advice when I have some to give.
We'll be here when you are ready to have it checked out.

[NWWis]

Reply to RSD on issue of starter continuing to grind even after letting key return to 'run' position. This is automatic feature of remote start. Key switch acts the same as remote start. It will grind until starting and then automatically stop the starter motor. I think the owner's manual mentions this.

[z06bigbird]

Originally Posted by tedcmiller

The correct word is "advice," not "advise."

Is that true if you are using a generator instead of an alternator?

Your elem school teachers would be proud of you. H S too most likely.

[DTSdude]

Hi all,

I suspect I have a battery problem on my 2006 DTS Performance.

On 2 recent occasions now I have been unable to start my 2006 DTS as follows:

1) I re-activated my XM radio subscription and they said to leave the car in the driveway with the radio on while they downloaded the activation code. They said it would take up to 30 minutes. I turned the key to the first detent so that only the nav/radio was on. No headlights, no dash lights, doors closed, etc. After about 20 minutes the XM activated. Then I went to start the car but the battery was toast. I put a charger on it and started it about 10 minutes later and put it back in the garage.

2) Today, I was in the carwash lineup. There was 1 car ahead of me. I turned off the engine and had the key in the first detent to just listen to the nav/radio. Once the wash bay was clear I went to start the car but the battery was dead. again A guy in the lineup next to me gave me a boost. (embarassing)

I've only had this car for about 2 weeks. I've read about TSB 1906368 (BCM reprogramming), ground lug connections with paint on/under them, Onstar modules calling home too often, corroded BAT+ connections in the engine compartment, etc. but to me this just sounds like a weak battery.

So basically, I don't think my battery should die after listening to the nav/radio for just 15-20 minutes? I have noticed though that the screen gets fairly warm.

Also, does anyone know approx. what the parasitic load should be on my battery (milliamps) when the key is out of the ignition? Perhaps it's draining the battery a bit faster than normal and listening to the radio finishes it off.

Lot's of people on the Cadillac forums seem to complain about battery related issues but like I said, this sounds like the battery itself to me.

The DTS is still on warranty.

Thoughts?


Many thx in advance..............Ron

[Superjim]

DTS Dude,

Having a battery die, or having a flat irritates me, no end.

Your battery is about 4 years old.
They do have a finite life that varies depending on the conditions they have been subjected to.

I think I would take it to a local auto parts store and have the battery load tested. Most of them will test the battery for free.

If there is ANY DOUBT about the condition of the battery, take it to the dealer and have it replaced under warranty.

I had mine replaced about a year after I bought it.
It went dead in the garage after sitting for a week without being started.

Texas Jim

[cubldr]

My 2006 battery crapped out overnight about a year after I bought my DTS new. I drive it every day. Replaced under warranty

[DTSdude]

Well, I got my 06 DTS into the dealership yesterday. I told them what was happening (see my post above). I told them I suspected a battery issue. The Service Advisor told me that it's normal for the car to not start after listening to the radio for 15 minutes (key in 1st detent position). They said they would check it out anyways.

I came back 2 hours later and the car was ready. Service Advisor said everything checked out and that they did not replace the battery. I wasn't too impressed but what could I say. They checked it out. When I got home I decided to make sure the tech put everything back together properly and tight. When I removed the back seat I noticed right away that it was a different battery ???. I had taken photos prior to the trip to the dealership so I checked my camera. Sure enough it was a different battery. I checked the paperwork (for the 1st time) and it said "Battery tested no good. Battery replaced". ??? Now I'm happy again but why would the advisor say they didn't replace it?

The battery voltage on the DIC seems more stable now at 14.5 volts. Only way to know if it's fixed is to run the radio/nav unit for 15 minutes and see if it still starts.


Cheers.............DTSdude

[ewill3rd]

Delco batteries are superb at holding a "surface charge".
If you run the radio for a while it will quickly drain a weak battery and make it not start but once jumped or charged it will last for a while.
The battery is still likely bad but it appears good because of this characteristic.
Maybe the advisor was just clueless... but you got it fixed... that is good.