redfrc

Well my Z-51 battery bit the dust this weekend unexpectedly. The car has around 16K miles and runs quite well, so this seems out of order.
I jump started the car, drove it around 90 miles and after resting it for around hours, it wouldn't restart.
Clearly its time for a new battery.
Anyone else had this early battery failure?
What's the best brand to replace it with?
I might bring it to the dealer since the dreaded "Service Column Lock" alert now goes when I try to start it.
What's up with this?

not08crmanymore

If your car is an 05 MN6 you might have DBS.

redfrc

Jesse- Yes it is a MN-6, since all Z-51's are manual.
I think I'll be at the dealer asap, but from what I've read, the best cure is to have them replace the battery.

Mystical Musician

You can get the Z51 in automatic form too.

redfrc

Thanks for clarifying that point, Mystical.
My main concern is to get my problem fixed and I was hoping others with this experience would chime in.

Mystical Musician

No problem on the clarification, I just wanted to make sure that others did not get confused by the statement. As for your problem, quite a few 2005 corvettes have had issues with DBS. My 2006 just recently had to be jumped after a period of inactivity. The dealership told me it was because all of the functions and settings stay in the memory and drain the battery a little bit everyday. As for your situation, I would contact the dealer. If your running the car and it still will not start after a short period of rest, it seems that the battery itself is more than likely faulty.

sjreeh

I have an 05 and just went through the same thing. Dead battery. I thought that maybe something had been left on. Not. I also got the same "column lock" code. I pulled the battery and had it checked at two different places. (Auto Zone & Pep Boys). It failed both times. I replaced it with the red top optima and all is well.
Seems like gm would put a decent battery in their flagships.

Oh yeah, mine is a six speed with f55.

redfrc

Shannon:
Same here. Nothing was left on.
To get this done in a pinch, did you use Pep Boys to replace the battery or the GM dealership?
Is a dead battery a warranty issue or did you opt to just get it done asap?
Is red top optima a national or Pep Boys brand?

'06 Quicksilver Z06

Optima Yellow Top time.

'06 Quicksilver Z06

It can at Pep Boys for retail.

redfrc

Since GM doesn't make Optima, do you recommend buying it elsewhere, and if so, where can this be bought at retail?

redfrc

I'll check Pep Boys, but online their info didn't reference a 2005 corvette. I suppose their installation service would be just fine.
I don't want to hassle with the dealer unless they can get this done fast.

sjreeh

Sorry for the delayed response.

I didn't even fool with the dealership. I figured that best case scenario would be a replacement in kind. I didn't want that. I replaced it myself with the Optima red top.

Optima is a national brand. You can read all about them right here:

http://www.1st-optima-batteries.com/

I payed 169.00 at AutoZone, which was a little high. They come with a 3 year replacement at no cost. They really are great batteries and are used a lot in the aviation industry because they can be mounted in any position, so stunt planes can fly upside down & not worry about battery problems.

redfrc

the manufacturer's web site doesn't list any batteries designated for 2005 corvettes, but I assume this is just sloppiness on their part?
How did you determine this would work ok?
I might buy one- first I'm going to the dealership for other stuff and will do a quick fix, so I'm really interested since this seems like a great brand.
FWIW, another member chimed in with "Optima Yellow".

sjreeh

If it will fit in your space and has at least the same CCA (Cold Cranking Amps) rating then it will work. Of course, more CCA is better. I think the old one was around 580. The Yellow top batteries are deep cycle and really are used mostly in the marine industry where batteries are discharged and recharged regularly.

The battery I bought is Part no. 75/35-OR Model: 7586DE. It is good for 720 CCA. It fits in the tray perfectly width wise and has at least a half inch on each side to spare. It is definitely bigger than the delco though.

Hope this helps.

Hoonose

You may have had DBS. Have the battery and charging system checked, and have the dealer give you the new BCM reflash to (hopefully) prevent DBS. Just replacing the battery without the reflash will definitely leave you susceptible to future DBS.
Replacing the delco with optima will not prevent, but only extend the amount of time for DBS to occur, probably less than an extra day. DBS hits an '05 MN6 with a good delco in about 2 days or so. The 'service column lock' error is commonly seen when a battery starts to come back from the dead. The error can be ignored.

Hoonose

You need the BCM reflash too!

sjreeh

What does that mean?

Hoonose

http://forums.corvetteforum.com/show....php?t=1495433

VET4LES

You can call Optima Customer service at 1-800-292-4359 for their input. They recommended the Red top 35, part number 8020-164 for me.