[Z06] Battery Dead!
Thread Starter
Le Mans Master
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 6,984
Likes: 0
From: Central Coast CA
Battery Dead!
So I go out to start my 2003 Z06 today and the battery was dead. I currently have a Sears maintainer on it and it has been doing a great job. So I'm not sure what happened here.
I'm about ready to go to Costco and buy a Optima Red top battery, even though I'm still covered under my GM warranty. Not sure I even want another GM battery.
I'm about ready to go to Costco and buy a Optima Red top battery, even though I'm still covered under my GM warranty. Not sure I even want another GM battery.
Last edited by Shylor; Jan 25, 2006 at 03:27 PM.
Tech Contributor
Joined: Dec 1999
Posts: 32,910
Likes: 2,402
From: Anthony TX
CI 6,7,8,9,11 Vet
St. Jude Donor '08
Get GM to cover it. it may be something NOT battery related and if you kill the redtop,,, 
I always fault to the OEM warranty. That way you get the problem on paper if it occurs later on down the road after your normal 3/36. most of the time they will work with you.
BC
I always fault to the OEM warranty. That way you get the problem on paper if it occurs later on down the road after your normal 3/36. most of the time they will work with you.BC
Thread Starter
Le Mans Master
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 6,984
Likes: 0
From: Central Coast CA
No it is the battery. C5's have had battery issues since 97, if you don't drive them regularly. The battery is covered under my warranty but I really don't want a dealership touching my car and certainly don't want another GM battery.
Race Director
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 10,554
Likes: 33
From: Not on either liberal coast.
Where I'm at, 2-3 years is about average life span on an oem battery. If you take it to GM, they'll pro-rate it, won't they? It wouldn't hurt to have GM test everything though.
I've got OPTIMA batteries in everything I own. I keep mine charged with a BATTERY TENDER (13.8 volt/1 amp maximum). My longest lasting OPTIMA was still going strong after seven years with that.
I've got OPTIMA batteries in everything I own. I keep mine charged with a BATTERY TENDER (13.8 volt/1 amp maximum). My longest lasting OPTIMA was still going strong after seven years with that.
Last edited by hotwheels57; Jan 25, 2006 at 04:30 PM.
Thread Starter
Le Mans Master
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 6,984
Likes: 0
From: Central Coast CA
Again.....I already stated I use a Sears Maintainer, it's just like a Battery Tender, only cost less. And I do not want those dealership goons touching my car. But I find 2-3 years as an average life span on an OEM battery to be Bull! I have an older Optima Red Top on another car and it is still fine. The more I think about it the more I'm leaning towards just picking up an Optima for my Z06.
Racer
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 397
Likes: 1
From: Gurnee IL
Make sure you check the code date on the Optima Red Top if you go that way......several Z06 guys on the other forum have had trouble with recent Red Tops not holding a charge......a quality control issue. I am in the same boat with an '03 and will buy the Odyssey PC925MJT which is a lighter, better battery. FYI. 
Z06_Bob
Z06_Bob
Thread Starter
Le Mans Master
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 6,984
Likes: 0
From: Central Coast CA
Well I fully charged up my OEM battery. I drove the car around town today and it seems to be fine. Guess I will have to check it in a day or so. But it's rediculous that these batteries get so run down so fast.
Some of you feel the Odyssey battery is a much better battery than the Optima. I may have to look into that. But where can you purchase them?
Some of you feel the Odyssey battery is a much better battery than the Optima. I may have to look into that. But where can you purchase them?
Last edited by Shylor; Jan 25, 2006 at 07:03 PM.
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Pro
Joined: Oct 2000
Posts: 666
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From: Oviedo FL
Originally Posted by Shylor
Some of you feel the Odyssey battery is a much better battery than the Optima. I may have to look into that. But where can you purchase them?
Pro
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 710
Likes: 1
From: Fremont (Livin' On The Fault Line!) CA
Wow interesting thread!!
That Odyssey PC925MJT has my interest too Shylor
I checked my area and couldn't find anyone real close (San Francisco is about 45 miles away).
Batterymart.com wants 106 bux but then another 22 bux for shipping
I'd rather get one locally if I decide to go with this particular battery.
Someone mentioned in another 'battery thread' that Exide (Orbital) is also a good substitution but supposedly they are in a BK Chapter 11 reorg
I have an 04 with about 5300 miles (will be turning 2 this May); I'm wondering if I should buy one of these babies and stick it in my garage and wait for the day that my factory one craps out...
That Odyssey PC925MJT has my interest too Shylor
I checked my area and couldn't find anyone real close (San Francisco is about 45 miles away).
Batterymart.com wants 106 bux but then another 22 bux for shipping
I'd rather get one locally if I decide to go with this particular battery.Someone mentioned in another 'battery thread' that Exide (Orbital) is also a good substitution but supposedly they are in a BK Chapter 11 reorg
I have an 04 with about 5300 miles (will be turning 2 this May); I'm wondering if I should buy one of these babies and stick it in my garage and wait for the day that my factory one craps out...
Drifting
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 1,560
Likes: 25
From: Syracuse NY
My 2002 Z's battery died in 2004.
The dealer replaced it with an upgraded 72 month delco battery
(not-pro rated)
I would have the dealer replace it and then shop around yourself in a year or two.
The dealer replaced it with an upgraded 72 month delco battery
(not-pro rated)
I would have the dealer replace it and then shop around yourself in a year or two.
Racer
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 273
Likes: 0
Originally Posted by hotwheels57
Where I'm at, 2-3 years is about average life span on an oem battery. If you take it to GM, they'll pro-rate it, won't they? It wouldn't hurt to have GM test everything though.
I've got OPTIMA batteries in everything I own. I keep mine charged with a BATTERY TENDER (13.8 volt/1 amp maximum). My longest lasting OPTIMA was still going strong after seven years with that.
I've got OPTIMA batteries in everything I own. I keep mine charged with a BATTERY TENDER (13.8 volt/1 amp maximum). My longest lasting OPTIMA was still going strong after seven years with that.
......yep, battery tender IS the only way to go. i have used them for years, not only on the cars, but my harleys as well, sometimes 6 mos. goes by without starting them.....ZERO PROBLEMS
Thread Starter
Le Mans Master
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 6,984
Likes: 0
From: Central Coast CA
Originally Posted by pdqz06
......yep, battery tender IS the only way to go. i have used them for years, not only on the cars, but my harleys as well, sometimes 6 mos. goes by without starting them.....ZERO PROBLEMS
Team Owner
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 20,933
Likes: 905
From: salem OR
It's not your battery,no battery will do any better, because your car has a problem. Stock battery's last 6-7 years. Your car is the problem.
Battery tender is not needed. My cars sit for weeks, months at a time.
Ill buy Gm (delco battery's) any time. Support GM, They make the cars we love
Battery tender is not needed. My cars sit for weeks, months at a time.
Ill buy Gm (delco battery's) any time. Support GM, They make the cars we love
Instructor
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 189
Likes: 0
From: Montoursville PA
I just got a battery tender the other day. The directions say red/positive to red terminal post, no problem. Black/negative to the frame on metal on the motor - NEVER hook negative to negative terminal post. Problem - tender wires are only 12" long. Where do you hook the negative??