battery problem
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 148
Likes: 0
From: Ashland, Kentucky
battery problem
Bought a new battery a couple of months ago. I greased the terminals to prevent corrosion. I may drive my vette once every two weeks but I do pull it out of the garage about four times a week do to a single car garage and I am working on other stuff. About a week ago I started the car and moved it outside. It sat outside for a couple of hours and when I started it up it clicked like the battery was dead. I turned the key again and it started right up. Since then everytime it sits for a couple of hours it does this but when I turn the key a second time it starts right up. Whats wrong, have I got a grounding problem? I checked to make sure the terminals were tight. Thinks in advance.
Race Director
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 13,421
Likes: 8
From: Lake Mary Florida
Sounds like it. More so on the neg terminal not a good connection. When you say grease the terminals, are you talking dielectric grease? Otherwise that may be your problem.
Why not just clean the terminals both ends now, and use the treated felt rings?
Be sure to torque the connections to 15Nm.
Why not just clean the terminals both ends now, and use the treated felt rings?
Be sure to torque the connections to 15Nm.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 5,620
Likes: 206
From: Orlando FL
If you feel like the battery is good and the terminals are tight and clean, you probably have a bad starter motor. They can become very intermittent causing random no start and then just be fine. I lived with that condition for months, checked everything relays connections and all. When it kraped out did not have time to work on it or it corrected itself before I could get everything hooked up to make my tests. Finally changed the starter, all problems gone. Really knew it was the starter but did not want to beleive it, worked most of the time. Even tought space looks tight, it turned out to be an easy change out. 
starter motor, or loose connections
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 148
Likes: 0
From: Ashland, Kentucky
I used a silicone dielectric grease. Terminals are torqued but not to specs, torqued as tight as I can get them with a pair of vice grips. Previous owner had already rounded heads off. I just hate taking that side cover off. Thanks for everyones help. I am going to tear into it Saturday. I will post what I found.
Team Owner
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 20,172
Likes: 672
From: Freedom is never more than one generation away from extinction.
St. Jude '03 thru '24
Clean the terminals shiney & dry and tighten the clamps.
If you must, brush a light coat of grease on the terminals.
Be prepared to clean the posts at least twice a year.
Why the Corvette is h3ll on batteries, is a never ending question..
If you must, brush a light coat of grease on the terminals.
Be prepared to clean the posts at least twice a year.
Why the Corvette is h3ll on batteries, is a never ending question..
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 5,620
Likes: 206
From: Orlando FL
If you are talking about the bolts on the battery terminal being rounded out, they are replaceable with out replacing the entire battery cable. The bolt (stud) just pulls right out, go to dealer and get the right one, your done - do it right. A new starter will come with new nuts so your good there. Also, This is a great time to change the fuel filter. MUCH easier to get at with the starter removed. 
