C4 Tech/Performance L98 Corvette and LT1 Corvette Technical Info, Internal Engine, External Engine

Dead Vette

Old Sep 1, 2013 | 11:02 PM
  #1  
ronexpofan's Avatar
ronexpofan
Thread Starter
Intermediate
 
Joined: Jul 2013
Posts: 27
Likes: 0
Default Dead Vette

So I had a week where I could not use my vette, an 87, and now it's dead like a door nail . Tried boosting and that did nothing. Probably simple to most more experienced than I, but tomorrow I shall check if there is power at the battery, but what could have gone wrong out of the blue? Starter? Alternator? Thanks all.
Reply
Old Sep 2, 2013 | 03:00 AM
  #2  
Cliff Harris's Avatar
Cliff Harris
Race Director
15 Year Member
 
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 10,036
Likes: 346
From: Anaheim CA
Default

Sometimes batteries just die suddenly for no apparent reason.

I once stopped at a gas station on the way home from work and when I tried to restart the car it was completely dead. No dash lights or anything. The mechanic measured the battery and it showed 4 volts. Fortunately they sold batteries there...

If boosting doesn't work you could have a bad battery cable or connection. I had a battery leak acid into the battery cable and boosting did nothing. The battery was fine and a new cable fixed it.
Reply
Old Sep 2, 2013 | 08:06 AM
  #3  
ronexpofan's Avatar
ronexpofan
Thread Starter
Intermediate
 
Joined: Jul 2013
Posts: 27
Likes: 0
Default

Originally Posted by Cliff Harris
Sometimes batteries just die suddenly for no apparent reason. Thanks Cliff, much appreciated

I once stopped at a gas station on the way home from work and when I tried to restart the car it was completely dead. No dash lights or anything. The mechanic measured the battery and it showed 4 volts. Fortunately they sold batteries there...

If boosting doesn't work you could have a bad battery cable or connection. I had a battery leak acid into the battery cable and boosting did nothing. The battery was fine and a new cable fixed it.
Thanks a lot Cliff, supposedly a new battery but will check the voltage.
Reply
Old Sep 2, 2013 | 09:20 AM
  #4  
ghoastrider1's Avatar
ghoastrider1
Le Mans Master
15 Year Member
 
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 7,708
Likes: 266
From: indy indiana
Default

quick check is to try starting the car with the lights on. If the lights don't change at all,or stay very bright, it aint the battery.
Reply
Old Sep 2, 2013 | 09:23 AM
  #5  
ronexpofan's Avatar
ronexpofan
Thread Starter
Intermediate
 
Joined: Jul 2013
Posts: 27
Likes: 0
Default

Originally Posted by ghoastrider1
quick check is to try starting the car with the lights on. If the lights don't change at all,or stay very bright, it aint the battery.
Thanks, good plan, as soon as it stops pouring out. Happy labor day
Reply
Old Sep 2, 2013 | 09:29 AM
  #6  
AirForceOne!'s Avatar
AirForceOne!
Drifting
 
Joined: Jul 2012
Posts: 1,796
Likes: 14
From: Nampa Idaho
Default

Mine did the same thing out of the blue, but it was the starter, but I had power to everything else!

Your battery shouldn't go completely dead after a week, unless it's a bad battery.

Like Cliff said, start with the battery cables first.

I keep mine on a battery tender when not in use!

Good luck!
Reply
Old Sep 2, 2013 | 09:49 AM
  #7  
ronexpofan's Avatar
ronexpofan
Thread Starter
Intermediate
 
Joined: Jul 2013
Posts: 27
Likes: 0
Default

Thanks all, love this forum
Reply
Old Sep 2, 2013 | 09:53 AM
  #8  
ronexpofan's Avatar
ronexpofan
Thread Starter
Intermediate
 
Joined: Jul 2013
Posts: 27
Likes: 0
Default

Originally Posted by AirForceOne!
Mine did the same thing out of the blue, but it was the starter, but I had power to everything else!

Your battery shouldn't go completely dead after a week, unless it's a bad battery.

Like Cliff said, start with the battery cables first.

I keep mine on a battery tender when not in use!

Good luck!
Thanks AF1
Reply

Get notified of new replies

To Dead Vette

Corvette Stories

The Best of Corvette for Corvette Enthusiasts

story-0

8 Most "Only Corvette Owners Understand" Quirks and Problems

 Pouria Savadkouei
story-1

10 Reasons the C6 Z06 is Still A Performance Benchmark After 20 Years

 Joe Kucinski
story-2

How Much Horsepower Every Corvette Engine "LOST" in 1972

 Joe Kucinski
story-3

Top 10 DOs and DON'Ts for Protecting Your Convertible Top!

 Michael S. Palmer
story-4

Top 10 Most Explosive Corvettes Ever Made: Power-to-Weight Ratio Ranked!

 Joe Kucinski
story-5

150 hp to 1,250 hp: Every Corvette Generation Compared by the Specs That Matter

 Joe Kucinski
story-6

8 Coolest Corvette Pace Cars (and Replicas) of All Time

 Verdad Gallardo
story-7

Top 10 Corvette Engines RANKED by Peak Torque (70+ Years of Muscle!)

 Joe Kucinski
story-8

Corvette ZR1X Will Be Pacing the Indy 500, And Could Probably Race, Too!

 Verdad Gallardo
story-9

Top 10 Corvettes Coming to Mecum Indy 2026!

 Brett Foote


Thread Tools
Search this Thread

All times are GMT -4. The time now is 07:20 PM.

story-0
8 Most "Only Corvette Owners Understand" Quirks and Problems

Slideshow: These are the quirks, annoyances, and oddly lovable problems that every Corvette owner eventually learns to live with.

By Pouria Savadkouei | 2026-05-28 09:31:39


VIEW MORE
story-1
10 Reasons the C6 Z06 is Still A Performance Benchmark After 20 Years

Slideshow: 10 reasons why the C6 Z06 is still a performance benchmark after 20 years.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-27 17:20:09


VIEW MORE
story-2
How Much Horsepower Every Corvette Engine "LOST" in 1972

Slideshow: How much horsepower every Corvette engine lost in 1972.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-27 16:54:53


VIEW MORE
story-3
Top 10 DOs and DON'Ts for Protecting Your Convertible Top!

Slideshow: How to Protect A Convertible Top: 10 DOs & DON'Ts

By Michael S. Palmer | 2026-04-03 00:00:00


VIEW MORE
story-4
Top 10 Most Explosive Corvettes Ever Made: Power-to-Weight Ratio Ranked!

Slideshow: The 10 most explosive Corvettes ever built based on power-to-weight ratio.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-20 07:23:03


VIEW MORE
story-5
150 hp to 1,250 hp: Every Corvette Generation Compared by the Specs That Matter

Slideshow: From C1 to C8 we compare every Corvette generation by the numbers.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-12 16:54:12


VIEW MORE
story-6
8 Coolest Corvette Pace Cars (and Replicas) of All Time

Slideshow: Some Corvette pace cars became collectible legends, while others perfectly captured the look and attitude of their era.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-11 09:50:51


VIEW MORE
story-7
Top 10 Corvette Engines RANKED by Peak Torque (70+ Years of Muscle!)

Slideshow: Ranking the top 10 Corvette engines by torque output.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-05 11:58:09


VIEW MORE
story-8
Corvette ZR1X Will Be Pacing the Indy 500, And Could Probably Race, Too!

Slideshow: A Corvette pace car nearly matching IndyCar speeds sounds exaggerated, until you look at the numbers.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-04 20:03:36


VIEW MORE
story-9
Top 10 Corvettes Coming to Mecum Indy 2026!

Among a rather large group of them.

By Brett Foote | 2026-05-04 13:56:44


VIEW MORE