Owners of a 2014-2018 Chevy Silverado truck may comment about any of a number of issues, including reduced or loss of power steering assist (on models equipped with electric power steering), a jerking or kicking-back steering wheel during turns, a Service Stabilitrak message with warning chime, engine stall, IPC going blank, radio going blank, HVAC going blank, hood ajar message when locking doors, and/or wipers continuing to run for a short time after turning off and then stopping in the wrong position.
One or more of the following DTCs may be set: B1325, B124B, B124C, B127B, B127E, C0544, C0710, C0800, P0513, U0020, U0073, U0077, U0078, U0100, U0101, U0102, U0121, U0126, U0131, U0140, U0155, U0164, U0415, U0422, U0428, U0452, U1509, U150F, and/or U15E1.
The following causes listed below may cause the battery to discharge:
Cause 1: This condition may be caused by battery cables with high resistance and/or loose connections at the positive or negative battery cables or at the battery fuse block.
Cause 2: This condition may be caused by a poor BCM ground at G218.
Cause 3: This condition may be caused by a shorted B+ battery cable at the starter solenoid caused by a loose starter shield contacting the starter battery cable terminal ring, or a starter cable ring terminal that has been mis-installed and/or rotated when installed on the starter solenoid.
Cause 4: This condition may be caused by a discharged or faulty battery.
The following steps must be completed in order. Grasping or attempting to rotate cables could affect readings and should be done after performing the voltage drop measurement.
Note: When checking voltage drop, the voltage drop should be performed with the fuel system disabled (or hold the accelerator at WOT) and while cranking the engine. MIN?MAX on the digital multimeter should not be used. The voltage drop should be monitored at a steady crank.
Inspect for any high resistance and/or loose connections at both the battery fuse block and the positive or negative battery cables.
Perform a loaded voltage drop test on the short positive battery cable. Perform a loaded voltage drop test on the negative battery cable.
Refer to “Measuring Voltage Drop” in the service manual. If the voltage drop is above 200mV, replace the affected cable(s).
It is imperative that both the positive and negative battery posts protrude above the battery cable clamps 0.040-0.080 inch (1-2mm) for proper installation.
Check both the positive and negative battery cable clamp nuts and make sure they are properly tightened to 62 in-lb.
After the positive and negative battery cables are fully installed and tightened, grasp each battery cable near its battery post and make sure they are secured and do not spin on their posts. If they spin, replace the cable(s).
Inspect the battery fuse block cable connections for looseness by grasping each cable near the eyelet and verify that they do not rotate on their respective stud. Verify that each nut is torqued to 11 ft-lb (15Nm).
Inspect the negative battery cable where it connects to the engine block and make sure it is not loose by grasping the cable near the eyelet and verify that it does not rotate. Verify that the cable nut is torqued properly to 33 ft-lb (45 Nm).
Perform a loaded voltage drop test on the negative battery cable.
It is imperative that the positive and negative battery top posts protrude above the cable clamps by 0.040-0.080-inch.
