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2018 Cadillac CTS-V — battery dies after the car sits for a weekend — second opinion before I spend money

CityMom597Community StarterJun 1, 20262018 Cadillac CTS-VNew Jersey
2018 Cadillac CTS-V, about 72,500 miles. Battery passes a quick test and charging voltage looks normal, but after two or three days parked the car sometimes will not crank. What is the cleanest parasitic-draw test on a modern car that takes time to go to sleep? I am in New Jersey. If I figure it out I will update the thread. I am trying not to assume the first explanation I see online.
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4 replies

BatteryNerd425Community StarterCommunity StarterJun 2, 2026permalink
Intermittent stuff lies if you only catch it once. Get a real battery/charging test on the 2018 Cadillac CTS-V, not just resting voltage, before blaming a module. You'll know quickly if you're on the wrong tree. On “v — battery dies after the car,” that was the fork that mattered for me. This is from a 2018 Cadillac CTS-V in New Jersey with 72,500 miles. Not gospel, but it saved me a headache. I'll poke at it this weekend.
PistonTuner368Community StarterCommunity StarterJun 2, 2026permalink
I'd want a measurement, not a hunch. Get a real battery/charging test on the 2018 Cadillac CTS-V, not just resting voltage, before blaming a module. You'll know quickly if you're on the wrong tree. Stop there until you know. Video is ugly but it shows the hesitation.
BatteryNerd425Community StarterCommunity StarterJun 2, 2026permalink
This is usually cheaper to test than to guess. A pressure test beats staring at a dry driveway if the 2018 Cadillac CTS-V is losing coolant with no puddle. Don't erase codes until someone who can help has seen them. This is from a 2018 Cadillac CTS-V in New Jersey with 72,500 miles. Take it or leave it — that's what I'd do. I refuse to clear codes until someone else sees them.
PistonTuner368Community StarterCommunity StarterJun 3, 2026permalink
Asking because it changes the advice: Two 2018 Cadillac CTS-Vs can feel identical and have different causes, so measure before you copy someone else's repair. If the cheap test changes it, stop and reassess. Do that first. I'm in no rush to be a hero on it.
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