Dead battery
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Aug 2017
Posts: 246
Likes: 6
Dead battery
All of the sudden, the battery is dead. Charge, and 24 hours, dead.
What are some common reasons for this? I have checked for accessories etc left on. Surely it is something like that which i am overlooking.
No suggestion will be discarded. 1996 Collectors Edition coup LT1 auto.
Thanks
What are some common reasons for this? I have checked for accessories etc left on. Surely it is something like that which i am overlooking.
No suggestion will be discarded. 1996 Collectors Edition coup LT1 auto.
Thanks
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Aug 2017
Posts: 246
Likes: 6
Battery was charged (not tested), alrernator was tested and was fine.
Right now i am looking at the simple things BEFORE going thru the PTIA of removing the battery.
This just all of the sudden started. No warning at all.
All input is appreciated.
Right now i am looking at the simple things BEFORE going thru the PTIA of removing the battery.
This just all of the sudden started. No warning at all.
All input is appreciated.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Feb 2000
Posts: 9,058
Likes: 214
From: Epping NH
Clearly something is drawing current that shouldn't be and quite a bit if it's draining your battery in 24 hours.
Easiest method is to grab one of these and check each fuse for unusual current draw.
https://www.harborfreight.com/30-amp...ter-67724.html
Easiest method is to grab one of these and check each fuse for unusual current draw.
https://www.harborfreight.com/30-amp...ter-67724.html
Race Director
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From: Rolla Missouri
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Le Mans Master
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 6,314
Likes: 508
From: South-central Missouri
with others, so far. Determining current draw and running it down (anything over 50mA) is on the troubleshooting list for sure. But, to "clear the decks" there is first need of some vital information to be had before proceeding: the battery health!Dead cell?
Check for a dead (shorted) cell first! Each of the 6 cells of a std lead-acid car battery produces 2.1 volts for a total of ~ 12.6V when fully charged. Specifically, a reading of 10.x Volts indicates a bad battery and it must be replaced before further charging or dis-charging testing is done.
Discharged battery?
Anything less than 7.1 volts measured across the terminals indicates a fully discharged battery. And, given it takes only 24 hours to discharge after being "fully charged", then either 1) there is excessive drain (most likely), or 2) the battery has at least one of several serious internal issues. The latter being the case, the battery may not be salvageable and in need of replacing.
If the battery checks out to this point, then the external load drain and charging system deserves scrutiny - as touched on before.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 7,705
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From: Everett WA
C4 of Year Finalist (appearance mods) 2019
Yep, that's why there are so many battery side panels with that bottom tab broken off. That tab needs to be maintained in good condition to preserve the alignment between that panel and the lower half of the drivers door.
Safety Car
Joined: Aug 2013
Posts: 4,422
Likes: 602
From: Minneapolis Mn
On that bottom bolt, it's a 10mm IIRC. Big thing though when you put it back together remember to put the tab of the panel above the washer on the bolt. If you put the tab between the washer and the head of the bolt and tighten it down, the head will dig into the panel and make it close to impossible to get off the next time. That's what Bubba did to mine before I bought it, it took hours and lots of luck to finally get that bolt loose without having to cut the panel.
My 2 cents.
Last edited by hcbph; Apr 28, 2018 at 07:26 PM.
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Aug 2017
Posts: 246
Likes: 6
I am slowely going thru this car. Upgrading and modernizing as i go. I am lookinh at an 800 amp Optima gel type battery. At $237, i am wondering if it will be that much better than a regular 800 amp battery?
Le Mans Master
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 6,314
Likes: 508
From: South-central Missouri
Don't get me wrong. The Optima is a great battery. But, it was designed to meet standards (rough, abusive handling) for military acceptance which do not apply to Corvettes. In terms of performance, I've been getting (on average) 7-8 years (and one now over 12 years!) life from plain ol' WalMart "Gold" (or whatever they call their premium fare) series 75 batteries - in conjunction with a BATTERY TENDER.
Note: These batteries are installed in Corvettes with compression ratios between 11 and 11.5:1.
Use the difference in cost for something else.
Last edited by Paul Workman; May 3, 2018 at 09:22 AM.
Safety Car
Joined: Aug 2013
Posts: 4,422
Likes: 602
From: Minneapolis Mn
Like Paul said, look elsewhere. Mine also came from Walmart. Maxx Something-or-Other (not home at this time and can't remember the full name on it). IIRC I caught it on sale, under $100 about a year ago. Between the Vette and my 2 kids, we have 3 of them and so far they're all working out fine.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 2,387
Likes: 123
From: CA.
my friend bought a new optima for his 02 corvette and about a month later it was totally dead. had a bad cell, he finally listened to me and bought a much cheaper one. I have been buying blems from an interstate battery place near my house forever and never had a problem with one and they last several years for about a third of the price of a new one.