Battery drain?
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: Jul 2020
Posts: 33
Likes: 15
Battery drain?
Put a brand new Duralast Gold Battery 75-DLG in my 92 last August. Drove fairly regularly through November. It has sat since. Nothing was left on in the car. Today I tried to start it and nothing works. Not 1 light comes on. No clicking, no sound at all. Just dead. I plan to get a new battery through warranty but is there something that could have drained it?
Melting Slicks
Joined: May 2019
Posts: 3,095
Likes: 1,339
From: Mid-Atlantic
2025 C4 of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
2023 C4 of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
2022 C4 of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
2021 C4 of the Year - Unmodified Finalist
I went through a few Duralast batteries in just under two years. Same deal, they'd just die if the car wasn't driven for a while.
I finally stopped messing with them and haven't had a problem since.
I mean, I'm not saying it's the battery. But, I haven't had a dead battery since I put an Interstate battery in there.
I did have an issue with a bad diode in the alternator that was draining the battery initially and I ended up just replacing the alternator.
But then the Duralast batteries still just kept draining if the car sat, except only a little slower.
I finally stopped messing with them and haven't had a problem since.
I mean, I'm not saying it's the battery. But, I haven't had a dead battery since I put an Interstate battery in there.
I did have an issue with a bad diode in the alternator that was draining the battery initially and I ended up just replacing the alternator.
But then the Duralast batteries still just kept draining if the car sat, except only a little slower.
Melting Slicks
Joined: May 2019
Posts: 3,095
Likes: 1,339
From: Mid-Atlantic
2025 C4 of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
2023 C4 of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
2022 C4 of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
2021 C4 of the Year - Unmodified Finalist
I took that bulb out a long time ago. Same reason. It wouldn't always close all the way and I didnlt feel like fudging with it.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Oct 2016
Posts: 2,024
Likes: 363
From: Central Alabama
I just checked on my 92 and my console light doesn't even come on until the lids is over 4" up so a slightly ajar console is not going to trip the mercury switch unless it's misaligned. And I'm pretty sure if it was that misaligned it wouldn't ever turn on the light.
Saying nothing was on is not correct. Computers use a small amount. radios use a small amount over 6 months that can add up.
If your planning to park the car for 6 months I would suggest a battery tender or removing the battery.
Saying nothing was on is not correct. Computers use a small amount. radios use a small amount over 6 months that can add up.
If your planning to park the car for 6 months I would suggest a battery tender or removing the battery.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jan 2019
Posts: 1,225
Likes: 680
From: Park City, TN
2024 C6 of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
2023 C6 of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
2022 C4 of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
2021 C4 of the Year - Unmodified Finalist
2020 C4 of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
2019 C4 of Year Finalist (stock)
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: Jul 2020
Posts: 33
Likes: 15
I just checked on my 92 and my console light doesn't even come on until the lids is over 4" up so a slightly ajar console is not going to trip the mercury switch unless it's misaligned. And I'm pretty sure if it was that misaligned it wouldn't ever turn on the light.
Saying nothing was on is not correct. Computers use a small amount. radios use a small amount over 6 months that can add up.
If your planning to park the car for 6 months I would suggest a battery tender or removing the battery.
Saying nothing was on is not correct. Computers use a small amount. radios use a small amount over 6 months that can add up.
If your planning to park the car for 6 months I would suggest a battery tender or removing the battery.
Corvette Stories
The Best of Corvette for Corvette Enthusiasts
2027 Corvette vs The World: Every Model vs Closest Competitor
Joe Kucinski
10 Most Common Corvette Problems of the Last 20 Years!
Joe Kucinski
5 MOST and 5 LEAST Popular Corvette Model Years in History!
Joe Kucinski
2027 Corvette Buyer's Guide: Everything You Need to Know!
Joe Kucinski
10 Things C8 Corvette Owners Hate (But Won't Tell You)
Joe Kucinski
10 Best Corvettes Coming to Barrett-Jackson Palm Beach 2026!
Brett Foote
Every Corvette Grand Sport Explained! (C2, C4, C6, C7, & C8)
Joe Kucinski
Grand Sport & Grand Sport X Launch Alongside All-New 535hp LS6 V8!
Michael S. Palmer
5 Reasons Bad Drivers Crash & 5 Ways to Avoid a Costly Mistake!
Joe Kucinski
Racer
Joined: Jul 2016
Posts: 308
Likes: 79
From: Orange CALIFORNIA
I second battery kill switch. Connect to negative terminal unless being used to quick shut-off of engine per NHRA rules. Quick method of preventing parasitic draining. Any time longer than 4 weeks my battery will be dead.
Team Owner
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 28,332
Likes: 3,247
From: Hartford WI
I have replaced a couple of Delcos, Interstate, Die Hard, etc. It is what it is unless you are willing to trickle charge it especially when it is exposed to the elements even in a storage shed that isn't heated.
Since I decided to drive it as part of the rotation unless there is snow, it has been much better.
Since I decided to drive it as part of the rotation unless there is snow, it has been much better.
Last edited by aklim; Mar 9, 2021 at 09:43 PM.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Aug 2017
Posts: 6,928
Likes: 1,486
From: New Jersey
****. I drove mine yesterday and went to today and it had enough juice to crank but wouldn't fire... I watched it dip to 7 volts cranking... long story short I'm on like my 3rd duralast/diehard in the last 15 months. I go to check my key off drain and its only something like 30ma so we'll within spec... generally it'll go a month and be fine... other times a day or two is all it takes. There isn't much going on electrically on the thing so idk if the car is to blame or the battery. I've just accepted I need a tender for now. The fact that it's so random leads me to think it however isn't a drain and is more a battery issue as float voltage when it occurs is still mid to upper 11. I don't know anymore. I used to use interstate and it would go 2-3 years before doing the same crap so who knows. It isnt a terribly common battery size anymore so maybe they're just made cheaper now?
Racer
Joined: Mar 2018
Posts: 385
Likes: 73
From: Swartz Creek MI
on my 84 corvette i buy the biggest cranking amp battery i can get as long as it fits battery box and always use a battery tender so far no trouble sitting though winter in garage only thing weird happen it said alt was over charging for few miles like 17.1 volts on dash maybe rust build up its ok now 14.5 volts drove all day to get my retirement papers done, banking stuff
Last edited by fparkin; Mar 10, 2021 at 10:50 PM. Reason: misspelled word
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: Jul 2020
Posts: 33
Likes: 15
In your experience and anyone else who uses a cutoff, any problems? I'm probably making a mountain out of a molehill but I like to get things right the first time (or 2nd). I see some people say a cutoff can be problematic and a tender is the way to go. But a tender could potentially cause a fire? My Vette will sit 4-5 months straight with fairly regular use rest of the year if that matters.
Team Owner
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 28,332
Likes: 3,247
From: Hartford WI
In your experience and anyone else who uses a cutoff, any problems? I'm probably making a mountain out of a molehill but I like to get things right the first time (or 2nd). I see some people say a cutoff can be problematic and a tender is the way to go. But a tender could potentially cause a fire? My Vette will sit 4-5 months straight with fairly regular use rest of the year if that matters.