Dead Battery
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Melting Slicks
Joined: May 2009
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From: Port St Lucie Florida
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Dead Battery
I last started my 69 small block on Tuesday. No problem - started right up and battery was strong and system showed it was charging. Just went to start it now and the battery is stone cold dead. Even the second hand on the clock has stopped. Any ideas?
Race Director
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 16,528
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From: Dayton, Ohio
Battery might not be dead but only unconnected to car by either the positive battery terminal or the negative. Check battery cables at battery then check the neg where it bolts to the frame just under the battery box then check the pos cable at the starter solenoid.
CF Community Team
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From: Cape Cod, Mass.
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If you are only starting it up periodically and not taking it for a good drive the battery is not being charged sufficiently to maintain it. Either drive it more or plug it to a battery tender.
Safety Car
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 4,454
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From: Indy Indiana
the battery is either totally dead or you have a open circuit from the battery to the car.. either positive or negative, check your volts at the battery terminals.. if zero, or less than 3 or 4 volts then the batter is totally dead, for it to die after just 4 days would only be casued by a big drain, interior light being left on or something like that... check your volts at the battery and let us know..
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: May 2009
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From: Port St Lucie Florida
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Thanks to all. I do use a battery tender but have not yet put the "plug in connector" on the battery side (after yesterday, I used the alligator clips but as of last night the light was still steady red). Double-checked all switches, lights etc and nothing was left on when the car was used last. I only have the car a little over a week and it is scheduled to go into the local Corvette shop latter in the week. Will check the cables and if that's not it hopefully I can jump start it or put a trickle charger on it to get it going. Hate like hell to have to put it on a flat bed.
El Camino
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 57
Likes: 0
From: Spring Texas
Battery
Did by any chance you open up your back center storage box and not close the box all the way. It took me several weeks to find out that the light in my storage box remained on and caused this same problem...
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: May 2009
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From: Port St Lucie Florida
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Don't think so but I will check. I also just tried to jump start the car to no avail although I now know it's not a loose connection. A couple of clicks and at least the clock is working (for now). Just connected my battery minder and will see what a 1 amp charge will do overnight. Why are they perfect the day you buy them!!!!!
Racer
Joined: Feb 2009
Posts: 427
Likes: 49
From: Pgh. Pa.
sounds like battery shorted. Time for a new one. How old is it any way? If the battery is more than a few years old I would change it any way. It is either a bat, seriously bad connections, or a short. With a new bat check the connections and before you connect the 2nd bat cable check for shorts.
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Terrorizing Orange Cones
Joined: Oct 2007
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From: Northern CO
I'm also suspicious the current (sic) battery may have opened a cell or otherwise, died in that short period of time.
The batt knew you would buy the car and "allowed" you to enjoy it a few hours before going to battery heaven.
Let us know what you actually discover, please.
BTW: Welcome to our world.
The batt knew you would buy the car and "allowed" you to enjoy it a few hours before going to battery heaven.
Let us know what you actually discover, please.
BTW: Welcome to our world.
Team Owner
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 53,648
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From: Southern Cal Ca
St. Jude Donor '22
I have seen batteries go bad in a blink.
Sucks, but hope that is all it is.
Oh, a bad bat will not allow a jump.
Do you have a car with a similar group size to test with?
Sucks, but hope that is all it is.
Oh, a bad bat will not allow a jump.
Do you have a car with a similar group size to test with?
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: May 2009
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From: Port St Lucie Florida
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Again my thanks to all. Sold a perfect 04 C5 with only 9K to buy this @&8^%0$ (actually got a good deal and after the shop checks it out, I hope I feel the same way). I have no problem investing $2 or 3K (this year).
Safety Car
Joined: Aug 2001
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From: North Easton Mass
Rick b.
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: May 2009
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From: Port St Lucie Florida
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I was only kidding about my old C5 versus the C3. I fully understand the fact that this is a 40 year old car and along with that go the problems/quirks. With that too goes the fact that we are driving something special and given this current political and economic situation, we may truly be the last of a breed.