I had the pleasant surprise early this morning of the vette not cranking. I haven't driven it in about 2 weeks, but needed to drive it today since the dd is out of comission. Anyway, I believe that I probably left an interior light on at some time and it drained the battery (although I am very careful and don't recall even using the car at night recently). There was some small amount of power (it turned on the interior lights), but wouldn't turn the headlights or radio on. So, my first question would be have the 04 batteries been doing anything flaky that I should be aware of. Assuming it was just a simple light left on, what is the best way to get a charge back into the battery. I have heard it is a big no-no to jump start the car with another vehicle. I'm not sure if a jumpstart/booster kit would be any better. So, what is the best/preferred way to start the car. I also assume that if I go for a nice long spin that the alternator will charge the battery back up. Any thoughts? Also, is there any chance that I will need to do a PCM relearn. If so, what is the best method. I would appreciate any help that you could give me. Thanks.

 

a normal charger is most likely your best bet. I have not heard of any issues with 04 batteries, but then again, they're young. I'd put one on it and let it charge for a day.

Most things should be OK, but you may need to relearn your key FOBs and TPS - the rest should take care of itself.

 

From what I've read on this forum, you can jump the car's battery without worry as long as you do it correctly. However, if your car is at home, either charge the battery (disconnect cables first) with an auto-charger at 10 amps or so, or remove the battery and have it charged and load-checked.

Good luck.

 

I just thought of something. I bet I could just disconnect the battery and take it to Autozone or somewhere similar and let them charge it for me. This would presumably eliminate the concern with damaging the electronics of the car. Any issues with this idea?

 

If you don't have a charger, then that is a good idea.

 

The C5s use a deep cell battery and it is prone to going dead when the car is idle for an extended period of time. If you know you aren't going to drive it for a few weeks you should disconnect the battery ground. When you jump it, make sure the key is not in the ignition and especially NOT in the "on" position when you hook up the other battery. You can blow out the CPM. Take the key out and put it in your pocket so there is no foulup. Hook up the battery and then put the key in the starter switch and fire it up. Motor on dude.

 

I had mine jumped by AAA on a trip. Turned everything off. Didn't hurt anything. Drove it home and it charged up. No problems.

 

If you have a regular battery charger at home, just hook it up and let it charge (use the automatic setting if it has one). You can take it out and let an auto parts store charge it for you too. No problems will occur except you may have to unlock your radio if you have the theftlock activated.

 

A small charger is not that expensive, so I would buy one. If the store will charge it for you , you will have a long wait or have to go back and pick it up.

 

I also have a 2004 Corvette. The battery has gone completely dead four times on me. Twice it was my fault for leaving the Valentine 1 on ( I finally hard wired it). The last two times it was dead after not starting the car for 4 weeks while I had some engine parts off the car getting them painted. The last time was only 2 weeks after the battery was dead after 4 weeks.

I took the car to Advance Auto parts and had it load tested, it tested out as good. I guess that you have to start it at least once a month.

I will have a battery tender before next winter!

 

I can help you. Nothing worse than having a dead battery in a $42,000 brand new car. I know from experience. My 03 had a dead battery several times. I have a 61 and a 65 also, and they have never had a battery problem in 27 years! The problem is, the new Vettes have a draw on the battery when they sit. Whether it's the alarm system, the memory sytems, ABS, traction control, pollution system, ECM or whatever, it draws a lot of current. Mine would go dead after only 2 weeks of being in the garage. I only have 2,000 miles on it, so when I do take it out, it's only for about 15 miles or so, which doesn't give it enough time to get a full charge.
Here's the solution. There are 4 kinds of battery chargers. There are quick chargers, (like they have at dealerships), there are regular chargers, (like most people have, that go from 0-8 amps.), there are trickle chargers, and last but most important for us, there are float chargers. These charge at 1/2 an amp. You can put them on your battery for an hour or a year. It doesn't matter. There is a circuit breaker built inside of it that shuts it off when the battery is fully charged, and turns it back on when the battery needs it. It never overcharges the battery and never boils out the electrolyte. You don't have to disconnect anything, and it won't hurt any of the electronics on the car. It is absolutely awesome, and it only costs $15. I bought 5 of them! Look them up under "Battery Butler." Good luck. Enjoy that Vette!!