Jistari

Excerpt from my post in C5 Tech section :

Backround:
OEM Delco failed a while back (nope...no leak...was the original in a 2001....six years old when replaced) so I replaced with an Optima Red Top. When I put the new optima in, I noticed that the DIC voltage displayed (while the car was running) was less than 14 (around 13.5 - 6). Car ran fine, figured may have been fom the battery sitting on the shelf in the store.
Used the battery for a few months, at times DIC voltage would read 14.2 - 3 and others it would drop to 13.3. I started getting Service Traction Control,ABS msg on the DIC intermittently (Im pretty clear on the Active Handling / Traction Control issues, ABSFixer, cleaning the grounds, and BTW my EBCM has already been replaced) so please limit this discussion to the batery / charging system, since that is the problem I'm having right now.
I had the battery tested at the place I bought it (Advanced Auto Parts) and they said it checked out ok, as did the charging system. Never got any DIC messages about Charging System Fault.

Present Problem:
This week I go away on vacation and on the way down (three hour trip) I touch the fog light switch and bam...get the Service ABS/T/c on the DIC. The DIC read 13.2 and by the time I got to my destination, it was reading 12.0. I stop and pick up a battery tender and put it on the car and also buy a terminal wrench and make sure the side post connections are good and tight. Next day DIC reads 14.3, drive a short while, back to 13.3 - 13.5 and Service AHS is back.
Went to Advanced Auto near where I'm staying on vacation, they put the red top out as defective (based on my story, we neve checked it here) and put a new one in. DIC still reads Service AH/ABS and DIC voltage still fluctuates between 13.2 - 13.5 . They put the tester on the new battery and told me it reads perfect (the guy helping me at this store couldnt figure out how to check the charging system, so thats not providing any info).
The only Diagnostic codes are the ones normaly associated with the AH / TCS and when the DIC volts read above 14 they go away.

Question : What may be causing the DIC voltage to fluctuate like that?

Question : the Red Top I have in is the 75 / 35 - 925 (720 CCA) type, is that the right one for the C5?

Question : Could the alternator be bad without getting "Charging System Fault" on the DIC?


Monady I'll find somewhere to take it to to figure this out, it's a three hour drive back home so I'd really like to get this taken care of before I have to leave.
I have a post in the NE section to see if anyone knows a reliable place near where I'm staying (Long Beach Island, New Jersey).

Thanks in advance to any posters that follow

Humanoid 2.0

You can try Kerbeck in AC, or DeFelice chevrolet in Pt. Pleasant. It could be bad a alternator or ground. Most major stores can load test the alternator if you take it out.

Jistari

Thx Humanoid, so you know these guys are reliable ?

I can find several dealerships close by, one right off the island, I was looking for places members have worked with and proven to be reliable ?

bill052463

i also have hear tom at defelice in point pleasnt im bringing mine in tuesday

Jistari

Pt. Pleasnt looks to be about an hour away, a little far, but doable :-)

Let's see if any closer to LBI pop up.

Thank you

GeorgeZNJ

I can only vouche for Tommy @ DeFelice. There is a chevy dealer on Rt 72 in Manahawkin, but I've never used them.

markiemark

I've been having the same problem with mine. It's probably not the alternator because your car would already be dead. I had mine checked. Also, I pretty much always run in the 13-13.5 range but to play it safe I put the tender on at night or if I'm away like you are, take the negative off so the battery doesn't die. BTW I'm in LBI this week too if I can be of any help. I'm not a mechanic but ......Mark.

Humanoid 2.0

Check out this thread here, maybe you can PM Tomy and he can advise you on what to do and if you should bring it in. http://forums.corvetteforum.com/show....php?t=1768811

Humanoid 2.0

That may not always be true, I can’t say about the Vette’s alternator but I had one of the three diodes go on my Lincolns alternator, basically it reduces the output current by about 1/3, so if it was not under a lot of load you would still get a charge to the battery, but under load it would drain the battery. It could have stayed like that for a while before the battery went dead. When I used the volt meter it checked out ok, but when I brought it in to NAPA for a load test it confirmed that it was the alternator. It is just something that you can do on your own with a few tools and some time to at least eliminate or confirm the alternator as part of charging problem.

Thor464

gardner chevy on rt 72 service opens 8:00 am i used them last week check engine light fixed in 1 hour

Dave S

Someone already mentioned Kerbeck's & I would agree. Theyr'e about an hour south of LBI & certainly have the largest shop in the area...plus a good reputation. Put the battery tender on overnight & then head down to them....call first. Greatest battery drain is on start up (starter motor), so once you get going you should be OK. Just be sure to turn off the DRLs plus any other unnecessary electronics. Good luck

markiemark

That may be true, and I wish it was because I still don't know what's up with mine, but the shop tested it and said the alternator was charging fine!!!!

LJD51

Where ever you go, make sure they have a GM Certified Corvette Tech that works on the car and not some part changer who has five thumbs...

zaragoza

Tommy at DeFelice chevrolet in Pt. Pleasant.

Jistari

You guys are lifesavers

So I'll call :

DeFelice Chevrolet
2506 Route 88
Point Pleasant, NJ 08742
Phone: (732) 899-2844
Ask for Tommy

Kerbeck Corvette
430 N. Albany Ave.
Atlantic City, NJ 08401
1-800-578-3883
1-609-344-2100
Large shop.

tomorrow, one should be able to see me prior to me going home at the end of the week.

I'll keep the forum posted on what I find the cause to be.

Thanks again guys.

BUSMAN C6

TOMMY FO SURE!
Good Luck

Ol'55

Not to hijack the thread, but I've had the same thing happening to my '02. I'll have to get the alt checked out. And my car lives on a float charger. Maybe get to use my GMPP for once.

Jistari

Appt with Tommy on Thursday, thanks guys, will advise.

Redvette_22

Are you still at the shore, and did you get your car fixed?

jbednarsh

I'm going to be down in Harvey Cedars next week. Just made an appointment with Gardner on Rt 72 for a brake fluid flush & oil change. They say they have GM cert vette tech, this is a very simple job, figure a good way to test out the service there. He did wonder why I wanted to supply my own brake fluid (Motul)...

After having been so incredibly shafted by a local dealer near my home (in Brooklyn), treading very lightly with this...