Code and Dead battery

[dieseldan723]

I have been throwing the P0380 - Glow plug code recently. Now my batteries are draining FAST. I fully charged them last night and by noon they read 3.73 and 1.64 volts respectively. THAT AINT GOOD!

How are these related? How can I troubleshoot, or do I need to take it to the stealer?

TIA!

 

[TheBac]

Maybe the GP relays are shorting out, causing the drain??

 

[dieseldan723]

That's my next guess. I took the alternator to TWO different shops and had it tested. BOTH shops said it PASSED all three tests. I watched the second guy and he performed it twice. It's 8 years old and appears to be working fine.

Tell me if this is crazy? Could the GP relay be drawing MORE power than my 105 AMP alternator? The power draw is so much that, in addition to the power output of the alternator, it drained two BRAND NEW batteries in about 3 hrs of driving. I charged them overnight back to a full charge, and after reinstalling, they were again drained in about 3 more hours - this time sitting in the driveway. I removed the batteries again and checked the voltage. One measured 1.83 volts and the other measured 2.73 volts. That is a SERIOUS power draw!

I am afraid to take it to a shop because it will be drained after sitting in their lot waiting to be serviced.

I seriously would appreciate any help I can get. I am at the end of my knowledge.

 

[JoshH]

I would disconnect the battery cable running to the glow plug relay and see if that fixes your problem. The glow plugs shouldn't be on once the truck is running and especially when it is up to temp.

 

[dieseldan723]

I would disconnect the battery cable running to the glow plug relay and see if that fixes your problem. The glow plugs shouldn't be on once the truck is running and especially when it is up to temp.

Any idea which battery the glow plug relay is on?

 

[JoshH]

Any idea which battery the glow plug relay is on?

Just disconnect the battery cable that runs to the relay and tape it up.

 

[DAVe3283]

It looks like the glow plugs are run off a 175 Amp (yes, 175 amps) fuse under the fuse block in the hood. You have to remove the angle brace that ties the fender to the firewall, then the fuse block should come apart. Disconnect that fuse (probably disconnect the batteries first) and then see what happens.

So yes, the glow plugs could be drawing more current than your 105 amp alternator. Although, it is probably a short, since the glow plugs would likely burn out after a few minutes of continuous operation. But that is a good place to start looking!

Good luck,
~David

 

[dieseldan723]

It looks like the glow plugs are run off a 175 Amp (yes, 175 amps) fuse under the fuse block in the hood. You have to remove the angle brace that ties the fender to the firewall, then the fuse block should come apart. Disconnect that fuse (probably disconnect the batteries first) and then see what happens.

So yes, the glow plugs could be drawing more current than your 105 amp alternator. Although, it is probably a short, since the glow plugs would likely burn out after a few minutes of continuous operation. But that is a good place to start looking!

Good luck,
~David

Would this result in a P0380 code?

 

[dieseldan723]

Truck is in the shop. They hooked up a test meter to the truck to see where the drain may be coming from. It's such a large drain it keeps blowing the fuse in the meter.

No further word as of tonight. Hopefully more information tomorrow. Will keep updating.

 

[duramaxdiesel]

Any more news on this. I'm curious too as to what the problem was.

Nick

 

[dieseldan723]

Here's the verdict. It turned out to be the relay on the drivers side glow plug bank. Replaced the Glow Plug Controller and that solved the problem. Total cost ended up being $278 (no tax in Oregon).

The strange thing was how FAST the battery drained. When the mechanic was looking for the problem he only had 20 minutes before one battery was totally drained (he disconnected the 2nd one).

I was sure glad to get this resolved and the truck home.

Thanks for your support!