DIABL0

99 c5 82k miles

My battery is about a year old. It was working great at the start of the summer. I took a ride to CT about 1.5 hours each way. On my way back it didn't crank strong like it usually does but it turned over. I got home and parked it. In the morning it was dead. I called AAA and they tested everything and said the battery and alternator were good. No draw on the battery either. I got it jumped and drove to work and back home about 1 hour each way. In the morning the same thing happened. AAA wont replace the battery because their machine said the battery was good. I called the other day to get a jump because i had to move it from its spot and now the headlights wont open while running.

Any ideas whats going on?

TLDR - battery wont hold charge and headlights wont open while running.

rrichar2591

If it were me, I would first get a second opinion on the battery. It appears it started when you jumped it so I would make sure of the battery before I did anything else.

You will also want to check the dic for any codes. You can do a search of the forum for instructions if you haven't done this before. If you will post the codes here you will get further advice on how to proceed. Good luck on tracking down the issue.

JR-01

Do you hear anything when car is shut off? Are any lights on? Headlights not opening while running could be a clue. I assume battery connections were checked.

Evil-Twin

More than likely, the positive wire from the battery to the starter, is either loose at the solenoid, or corroded. This was a common problem in the field. the loose connection gives false positives when tested. as the motor heats up around the started and close to the exhaust manifold, it becomes an intermittent connection. It would be the first place I would look, clean and retighten.

corvet786c

One day my vehicle just shut down on the highway. Steering almost locked and brakes where stiff. Turns out the starter latterly melted from the post. Had to get it towed. Put in a new starter cleaned the grounds much better, now just trying to get the volts back up to 13.

They stay around 12 when warmed up.

Vetteman Jack

Thanks for the recommendation E-T. No problem yet, but will keep your response in a file for future reference.

Evil-Twin

NP Jack..... but that may not be the problem here, but its a typical problem for many.. High probability that its the culprit.

DIABL0

no, no sounds except when the charger goes on i can hear some computer clicking on.ya i check the connections to the battery and they are nice and tight.

hoosiervette

Did you do like ET said. Check battery cable at the STARTER, not just at the battery? I just went through the head lights now opening when I was driving. Replaced the battery and everything is happy again.

DIABL0

No havent checked it at the starter yet

65GGvert

I'm wondering how the steering "almost locked". But anyway, another vote for the connection on the large red wire from the battery to the starter solenoid AT THE SOLENOID END. Not just the cable end, check the solenoid post and the bakelite around it, you'll probably find it's been turned to charcoal.

dadaroo

I bet AAA did not do a load test on the battery. If not, take it to an auto store and have them load test it. If you can jumper the battery and start the car that would be the first thing I would check.

Had that exact thing happen with the 1 year old Bosch battery in my Wife's Lexus this summer. Bad battery.


Mr. Sam