Got my C4 in garage, working on power antenna. Got it mostly patched up, but wanted to test it with the radio on/off before i install it back into car. Not the easiest thing to do, so i just popped the hatch and connected up the relay and harness, turned on radio and nothing. Gages/lights were dim. Heard some ticking relay noise, that wouldnt stop.

but i figured it out. I noticed the "security" light was blinking steady. And i think the driver door was cracked. (not shut all the way) Had it like this for at least a week i am guessing. I know there is a sensor for the door ajar light. Could this condition really have killed my battery? I didnt try to start the car, and no the key was not in ignition the whole time. I was able to pop the hood, so i could get to the battery. Hooked up my super-duper charger/desulphater, and it had a weak battery light on. Gonna let it charge for a day or more. I really want to make sure this antenna goes up and down with the radio, before i put it back in. Battery is an AC delco 6 year bat, 650 CCA, just over a year old.

Anyone else have this condition kill their battery? Dam sensors!

 

make sure the battery is charged before trying to start and yes leaving your light on for a week can drain your battery

 

good advice. i didnt notice if any interior lights were on with the door not shut tight. I know the rear hatch lights stay on with the glass up, those do not time out. Maybe the side interior lights were on, just didnt notice them, but i should have for sure!

 

Hi

Have been there, the antenna clicking on and off every few seconds does it in a day or two.

I changed to a Optima yellow top battery, they are a deep cycle battery that will bounce back good as new if totally flat from a battery drain. Even new lead acid batteries will never be the same once it has been completely drained, one word of advice.

Most common battery chargers will not charge if the battery is below 10.5 volts, this is what gives optima battery's a bad rap.
People think it wont charge and think its dead, its only a charger problem they need charger designed to charge battery's below 10.5 volts.
You can connect another battery that is above 10.5 volts then connect in parallel to enable an ordinary charger to do it's thing.

I have had my optima yellow top go completely flat a few times, it bounces right back .

Red top optima is for ultimate starting power.
Yellow top for deep cycle use and blue top for marine use.

I love my optima battery, have used it for many years and it always bounces back from deep discharges..

 

Interesting response. First off, it wasnt the antenna cliking on/off rapidly; it was a relay up under the dash. Once i shut the rear glass hatch, it stopped. I am quite sure it was the door ajar, interior lights on that drained battery. I am quite frustrated i didnt notice them on. Even when i was working on the power antenna business for several days!

As far as the Optima battery, i have a red-top in my IROC Camaro. I have read lots of opinions on Optima, and just decided to get one for myself and see how it works. I mainly use ACDelco bats in all my rides. In fact, the one that came out of my Camaro, went into my truck, cuz that original 11 year AC battery finally went. And this AC bat from my Camaro to truck is like 12 years old now, and still going.

As far as my C4, Optima does not list a replacement battery. I think it is a fitment issue with the top terminals. Lots of folks rig one up, modify the top brace and whatnot. I just went with the AC unit, not into hacking up my C4. I have a special charger from VDC Electronics, namely a Batteryminder, which can charge the AGM bats. It has lots of idiot lights and modes. I have used several of those VDC chargers over the years.

I didnt really look at the yellow tops, not sure why a person would want one in their ride, maybe if they go and park and run a big-amp stereo or something that runs it down. I dont plan to run my car batteries down. I like the starting power of the red top.
Good stuff regardless.

 

Hi the Optima battery's do have side terminals, well my one has both. My C4 is a weekend car that sometimes sits for a month, any electrical gremlins that pop up can flatten the battery.

That is why I recommend a yellow top, if the car is not used every day they are a great choice. I know first hand that a standard battery is never the same after being totally discharged.
A rapid discharge can bend the plates causing a short, the optima has individual coiled cells.

Yes a car with a mega dollar 'Doof Doof' stereo system definitely can do with a couple of yellow tops .

 

Copy that, my Camaro red-top Optima has both terminals. top terms are capped off. Happy with it so far, had it just over a year. Like most C4 owners, our cars do sit around alot. When mine rods are idle for more than 4 days, i put a charger on them. Even my truck. They discharge on their own. I have several chargers from VDC. I even watch the voltage with a meter. With constant maint, batteries can last a long time. That's the plan at least.

 

Sure

I've made the same on my c4, when i worked on mine 95 for power antenna open close door, courtesy light radio and so on have killed battery

 

My last AC Delco 75B lasted 7 years. They are good batteries and period correct. Charge it for a day on trickle and see what the voltage is. Above 12.5 is good to go. If you go 10 amps it will kick off. Use 2.

I was fiddling with an aftermarket stereo this week and plugged it in with the key on duh.
it discharged the battery to the point of clicking and 9 volts. It came back to life and is working fine. I really thought I'd ruined any number of things. 1 year old AC Delco. They are tougher than many, but you can kill them like that.

 

I didnt measure the voltage when it was low, but should have. Right now on charger it is at 13.84v. Still havent started it. Like i said above, been using AC bats for long time.

Now back to my original post. Got the power antenna installed back in the car. New mast goes up and down nice with radio on/off button. Wasnt too bad getting the wires back up in. But now i have a new dilemma. I cannot seem to find the coax cable that mates to the antenna side. It cannot be too far away, as the coax lead coming from the antenna is not that long. I never saw it when i pulled it out either, somewhat forgot about it, more worried about the power leads. I think i just pulled it all down together, and the coax mates just separated. So need some help pointing me in the direction where the antenna lead comes in. I am sure it was connected before, since i did have radio reception previously. Thanks!

 

if is a targa it is under the trim plate by the latch

 

Yes targa top, not convert. So you are saying the cable should go towards the center of the car, somewhat next to the power cable?
I looked all around there, but it could be under the foam jacket.

 

yes poke around under the foam.

 

Found it.....wasnt in/under the foam on the rear section, that holds the harness. Was under the left side trim panel, going towards the front of the car. This is just above the speaker, just hidden under another wire harness. Was kinda trickey getting it out, so i could make the connection.
Regardless, it is done, and i got it all back together.

 

sorry either my minds going or my 94 is differant.