starting a C6 M w/ a dead battery
10-30-2010, 11:03 PM
#1
Burning Brakes
Thread Starter
starting a C6 M w/ a dead battery
I am just thinking ahead but here is the scenario: battery is dead on an '08 C6 manual. Since I have a push button start and no key for the ignition, is it possible to start by rolling down a hill and letting out the clutch in 2nd or 3rd gear?.... would I have to push the start button at same time and hope there is a little battery juice left??
10-31-2010, 12:05 PM
#3
Team Owner
How "dead" is the battery? Do any interior lights come on when you open a door? Does the horn work? What is the voltage reading at the battery (check with a DVM)?
A good jumper pack should be enough to start the car so that you can get it to a shop where the battery can be charged. Don't drive the car around to let the alternator charge the battery; that's too much of a strain on the alternator and it could damage it.
Invest in a good battery maintainer like the Deltran "Battery Tender Plus" and keep it connected to the battery if you don't plan on using the car for a few weeks at a time. Aren't C6 MN6 cars supposed to be left in Reverse when they are not being used??
A good jumper pack should be enough to start the car so that you can get it to a shop where the battery can be charged. Don't drive the car around to let the alternator charge the battery; that's too much of a strain on the alternator and it could damage it.
Invest in a good battery maintainer like the Deltran "Battery Tender Plus" and keep it connected to the battery if you don't plan on using the car for a few weeks at a time. Aren't C6 MN6 cars supposed to be left in Reverse when they are not being used??
10-31-2010, 06:24 PM
#5
Race Director
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Voltage regulator will probably burn out a few days later if you allow the alternator to charge a dead battery. Especially with dead battery at night and headlights on. If at all possible, charge the battery fully before driving or at least study up on how to replace your regulator.
10-31-2010, 10:30 PM
#6
Burning Brakes
Thread Starter
How "dead" is the battery? Do any interior lights come on when you open a door? Does the horn work? What is the voltage reading at the battery (check with a DVM)?
A good jumper pack should be enough to start the car so that you can get it to a shop where the battery can be charged. Don't drive the car around to let the alternator charge the battery; that's too much of a strain on the alternator and it could damage it.
Invest in a good battery maintainer like the Deltran "Battery Tender Plus" and keep it connected to the battery if you don't plan on using the car for a few weeks at a time. Aren't C6 MN6 cars supposed to be left in Reverse when they are not being used??
A good jumper pack should be enough to start the car so that you can get it to a shop where the battery can be charged. Don't drive the car around to let the alternator charge the battery; that's too much of a strain on the alternator and it could damage it.
Invest in a good battery maintainer like the Deltran "Battery Tender Plus" and keep it connected to the battery if you don't plan on using the car for a few weeks at a time. Aren't C6 MN6 cars supposed to be left in Reverse when they are not being used??
10-31-2010, 11:14 PM
#7
Drifting
None of these responses make sense the alternator has to be rated to charge the battery while the lights and accesories are running otherwise the battery would drain while driving at night with the AC headlights and radio are running.
11-01-2010, 07:18 AM
#9
Safety Car
the battery will take so much power from the alternator that it will soon go bad. so it just makes sense to charge a dead battery (in a Vette anyway) before you just drive off 
11-01-2010, 08:18 AM
#12
Race Director
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The alternator is rated at maintaining a battery, not charging a dead one. Yes, I have replaced regulators (twice) and yes, the last one was leaving work at night after having jumped the dead battery from a co-worker. Replaced the regulator when the warning light started glowing a week later.
11-01-2010, 11:00 AM
#14
Team Owner
It is a very useful tool if you find a dead battery when you need to drive the car right away. It will provide enough power to start the car and then you can drive it to a shop where the battery can be charged. Battery chargers like those used at auto repair shops can recharge a battery in 30 to 45 minutes. That will be more than enough time to bring a battery up to a level where the alternator won't have a problem with current load.
11-01-2010, 11:04 AM
#15
Team Owner
If you don't drive the car for extended periods (like a month or more), then attach the trickle charger and it will keep the battery at a fully-charged state. When you want to drive the car, disconnect it and the car will start.
11-01-2010, 11:07 AM
#16
Platinum Supporting Vendor
To answer your question, as long as there is enough juice to power the fuel pump. If you turn the power on like you are starting the car and the starter just clicks, then yes you can jump start a manual trans car just fine. You can turn your power on just like you do when you start the car, just don't push the clutch in and the start will not engage. Then let it rip and pop the clutch in 2nd. It will even do it in reverse if the car is going down hill backwards.
Justin
Justin
