A little more then two years ago I parked my Vette and, other then a trip around the block once a month or so it hasn't moved hardly at all.

The newest problem though, is this:

when I turn the key I get all the clicks that you would expect from a nearly dead battery. I can put it on my charger, switch the charger to cranking assist mode, pump the gas one time and hit the key and it will fire up with no problem at all. While the car is running the battery light stays on constantly and occasionally, it sounds like there is a buzzer going off. Unfortunatly its a very quiet buzzer and you can barely hear it over my flowmaster 40's. I can drive the car as normal and, considering that it hasn't been run in two years and it need to be tuned it does run great. It feels just as powerful as it ever did when I was using it as a daily driver however, if I turn it off I'll have to put it back on the charger to start the car again.

At first I thought maybe it was the starter finally giving out but that doen't make much sense if it starts with with cranking assist from the charger. After thinking about it for a while I'm leaning towards a bad cell in the battery but I'm not sure about that either. The battery that is in the car now is a Sears Diehard that was installed about 3-4 months before I parked it so it only has about 400-500 miles on it but it IS a 2 year old battery.

I'm thinking that this weekend I'll pull the battery and maybe the alternator out and run them over to autozone to have them checked out but I was hoping someone here who knows a lot more about cars then I do could tell me if I'm on the right track or if i'm out in left field so to speak.

Help please?

 

If a battery has been sitting for two years without being charged, or having a load put on it and recharge it, it has probably sulfated and needs replaced. One of the worst things you can do to a battery is to just let it sit. You would be better off when parking the car for an extended period of time to remove the battery and put it in another car, then either put it back or buy another battery when you are ready to drive. The other thing you can do is buy a trickle charger or a battery saver and keep a small charge on the battery while in storage. If you have your battery and alternator at Autozone for a test, don't let them hook them together and test them. I had one of their guys try that on a car that I took in wiht a dead battery and they tried to sell me a battery and an alternator. An alternator hooked up to a bad battery will always appear bad, and most of the dummies working for chain auto parts stores don'thave a clue.

 

I would start with the battery if everything else was working fine before you parked it, that is a long time for a battery to sit without at least a trickle charge.

As far as starting goes, installing a remote solenoid when I had the stock style starter made a big difference in starting. They are $27 from Summit and relatively easy to install.

The click is telling you your at least getting juice to the terminal from the ignition switch. I had to replace my ignition switch a couple of weeks ago because it would do nothing when you turned the key.

Also, its just letting you know your not getting enough juice to the starter, whether it be the start solenoid or the motor. Inspect your cable for any deteriation and have a look at your ground on the frame.

Good Luck!

 

Remove the battery and take it in to a Sear's Auto center. They can check the battery for free. If its only 2 years old, there should be a good bit of the warranty remaining.

Good Luck

 

I think I'll go ahead and pull the battery first and have that checked then if a new battery doesn't fix the problem I'll pull the alternator.

I was having problems with heat soaking the starter after long drives before I parked it but I don't think thats the problem here since its happening even when the motor is cold. I'm actually thinking about selling the car pretty soon and I want it to be running and drivable if I decide to go that route. I've been on station here i9n California for almost three years so I should be getting orders soon and the car will just go back into storage if I get orders over seas. Not to mention I'm buying a new Motorcycle after my upcomming deployment to Iraq and three vehicles with only one drive just seems like kind of a waste... Once I get the bike I doubt I'll drive the Vette even as much as I do now. If I sell the Vette though, I'll be able to pay cash for the bike and save up for the 68-72 Covertable I really want

 

Well, if you get sent overseas to Andersen AFB in Guam, you could bring the car with you. Summer is forever here........

 

This is an indication of a problem with the alternator, been there and done that. I forget the exact part but it can be fixed or you can buy a new alternator. I think it is a diode failure but it might be a rectifier, can't remember for sure.

 

Don't pull the parts....DRIVE the car to AutoZone. They can test the entire charging system with their diagnostic unit for free. Saves you a lot of trouble. Take a few wrenches with you and you can replace what's needed on the spot.

Sears may be able to do it too, but check first 'cuz I don't know for sure.