Back from Bowling Green... now problems
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 397
Likes: 1
From: Bedford TX
Back from Bowling Green... now problems
Just got back from our cruise to Bowling Green last night with 42 cars from Lonestar Corvette club. Had a great time except it rained fri. and sat. Cleared up sun. for the drive home. Had 3 states worth of bugs on the front so washed it this morning. But when I tried to pull it back in the garage the Battery was dead! Had a spare battery I got from a friend when he got his Optima. Had been sitting in the garage for a while so had to jump it to get it going. But the lights were flickering and the DIC voltage was very erratic from 12.1 to 14.3. Since I tried 2 batteries do you think its the Alternator? Also, I have the extended warranty on it through GM so would it be covered? Glad it happened when I got home after putting 1750 miles on it with no trouble. Any ideas? Will be heading to the dealer first thing in the a.m. 
Premium Supporting Vendor
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 36,838
Likes: 438
From: Manassas Park VA
St. Jude Donor '07-'08,-'13-'14, '16-'17
Originally Posted by The Shooter
Buy a brand new battery.
Red Top time...
Peace
Willfulone
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Drifting
Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 1,847
Likes: 1
From: Iowa
Cruise-In IV Veteran
Cruise-In V Veteran
You mean AFTER you got it jump-started, the lights flickered and the voltage was hunting back and forth?
That's not the battery, that's probably the alternator. If the alternator was GOOD, it would run just fine, once you got it started.
Make sure the belt is tight and the connections on the battery are secure as well.
That's not the battery, that's probably the alternator. If the alternator was GOOD, it would run just fine, once you got it started.
Make sure the belt is tight and the connections on the battery are secure as well.
Instructor
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 134
Likes: 1
From: Concord NC
Originally Posted by MagikDraggin
You mean AFTER you got it jump-started, the lights flickered and the voltage was hunting back and forth?
That's not the battery, that's probably the alternator. If the alternator was GOOD, it would run just fine, once you got it started.
Make sure the belt is tight and the connections on the battery are secure as well.
That's not the battery, that's probably the alternator. If the alternator was GOOD, it would run just fine, once you got it started.
Make sure the belt is tight and the connections on the battery are secure as well.
I disagree, if the battery is dead the car will not run off of the alternator. Get a new battery. 
Team Owner
Joined: May 2001
Posts: 87,334
Likes: 1,590
From: Western NY
In the process of "de-bugging" the car, is it possible that you got the alternator and/or pulleys wet? Wet pulleys will slip the belt for a while before they dry off and start charging the system. Maybe some water in the alternator or on a loose connection caused a discharge?
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Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 397
Likes: 1
From: Bedford TX
Originally Posted by leadfoot4
In the process of "de-bugging" the car, is it possible that you got the alternator and/or pulleys wet? Wet pulleys will slip the belt for a while before they dry off and start charging the system. Maybe some water in the alternator or on a loose connection caused a discharge?
Safety Car
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 4,208
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From: Rochester MN
CI 5-6-7-8 Veteran
St. Jude Donor '04-'05-'06-'07
NCM Ambassador
Since I keep hearing that the reason AGM batteries go bad is that they 'short out', wouldn't that lend even more credence to the idea of replacing the battery before anything else?
Team Owner
Joined: Jun 2001
Posts: 24,921
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From: Knoxville, TN
CI 3-4-5-6-7-8 Veteran
St. Jude '03 thru '26
You can stop by Advance Auto or Autozone if you can drive it and they can check it for free. Otherwise take the battery and they can check that. You may want to try this before taking it to the dealer.
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 397
Likes: 1
From: Bedford TX
Originally Posted by FrankTank
To answer the warranty question, I don't think the warranty will cover a battery replacement..if that's all it is.
Good luck
Good luck
Safety Car
Joined: Feb 2002
Posts: 4,038
Likes: 0
From: Springfield MO
St. Jude Donor '03-'05-'06-'07
I'm not sure a Redtop is such a good idea anymore. I've read a number of
threads lately complaining of problems with them. Unless things change, I'm
going to replace with a Delco when the time comes.
Regardless, good luck with the fix!
threads lately complaining of problems with them. Unless things change, I'm
going to replace with a Delco when the time comes.
Regardless, good luck with the fix!
Race Director
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 18,401
Likes: 3
From: Retired but working
Cruise-In VI Veteran
Had the same problem with daughters Camaro. Lights flickered (especially the dash lights) then nothing at all.
Late night trip to the parts house for an alternator, one hour drive to where it went down and a 2 a.m. install in a rest area.
After that, no problems.
Good Luck
Late night trip to the parts house for an alternator, one hour drive to where it went down and a 2 a.m. install in a rest area.
After that, no problems.
Good Luck
Pro
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 730
Likes: 45
From: kansas city mo.
Have you made sure the ground wire thats at the coner of the battery is clean and tight. I found out that was my problem and it cost me nothing. Try the easy things first and then get to the more bigger problems. Just my 2 cts. 
Drifting
Joined: Jan 2001
Posts: 1,347
Likes: 4
From: Slidell La
I would check the voltage across the bat. when the engine is running. If you are 12.8 or up with the headlights on the alternator is most probably charging. (I have a special test equipment that is no longer available - guess it worked too well). If the voltage is low,, the battery is probably bad.
REAL WARNING I have experienced battey explosion. My wife started her car and it sounded like a shot gun under the hood. The bat. blew and sprayed acid all under the hood. If you have a broken buss bar and hot spot you will have an ignition source for explosion. Doesn't mean it will happen but.......
I would make my bet on the battery. I have had few alternators fail but many batteries over the last 20 years. Good luck on the sparkies.
99 Nassau Blue
REAL WARNING I have experienced battey explosion. My wife started her car and it sounded like a shot gun under the hood. The bat. blew and sprayed acid all under the hood. If you have a broken buss bar and hot spot you will have an ignition source for explosion. Doesn't mean it will happen but.......
I would make my bet on the battery. I have had few alternators fail but many batteries over the last 20 years. Good luck on the sparkies.
99 Nassau Blue
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 397
Likes: 1
From: Bedford TX
Originally Posted by frankb
Have you made sure the ground wire thats at the coner of the battery is clean and tight. I found out that was my problem and it cost me nothing. Try the easy things first and then get to the more bigger problems. Just my 2 cts.