Disconnecting Battery For Storage
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 216
Likes: 0
From: Greenfield Wisconsin
Disconnecting Battery For Storage
I posted this comment in the other storage thread,
but no one addressed it.
I was warned about disconnecting the battery from a guy at work.
Something about the radio not working when I reconnected it.
But I have disconnected it every winter with no problems.
All I do is disconnect the positive terminal, and leave the ground on.
The radio still works, and all the station presets are still there.
My seat memory is still there, as is the climate memory and the side mirror memory.
If I remember right, I do have to reprogram my key fob.
So is this an old wives tale, or what?
Is it just for certain years?
Mine is a '98.
but no one addressed it.
I was warned about disconnecting the battery from a guy at work.
Something about the radio not working when I reconnected it.
But I have disconnected it every winter with no problems.
All I do is disconnect the positive terminal, and leave the ground on.
The radio still works, and all the station presets are still there.
My seat memory is still there, as is the climate memory and the side mirror memory.
If I remember right, I do have to reprogram my key fob.
So is this an old wives tale, or what?
Is it just for certain years?
Mine is a '98.
Race Director
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 16,795
Likes: 62
From: Lake Havasu City, AZ
Buy a battery float charger... many brands
www.harbor freight .com
at their local store they are on sale this week for $6
I have used two for the past three seasons on my two Verts
and several other club members have equally satisfactory experience with them.
Why pay more???
www.harbor freight .com
at their local store they are on sale this week for $6
I have used two for the past three seasons on my two Verts
and several other club members have equally satisfactory experience with them.
Why pay more???
Racer
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 333
Likes: 1
From: Mendota Heights MN
I simply disconnect my battery every winter. It's fine after several months of storage in an unheated garage. Simply reconnect and fire it up. No need for a batter tender IMO -- as you mentioned, you don't even lose your radio presets, just re-sync the key fobs. I think your friend is giving you bad advice -- if disconnecting the battery affected the radio we'd all be in trouble with a simple battery swap.
Last edited by Cart99; Oct 15, 2006 at 01:23 PM.
Race Director
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 19,459
Likes: 48
From: Schaumburg IL
CI 7-8-9-11 Veteran
St. Jude Donor '06-'10, '13
IT can happen, but I am not sure exactly how, or under what conditions, it does seem to happen to some people (not all) when they disconnect the battery.
Read this.
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/show....php?t=1371443
Read this.
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/show....php?t=1371443
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Race Director
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 12,346
Likes: 5
From: Mustang OK
Originally Posted by Arnie Guitar
...(snip)...So is this an old wives tale, or what?
The following quote is from the 1998 Owner's Manual, Section 3 > Audio Systems (See your owner's manual for information on activating, disabling and more information on this feature.):
Theft-Deterrent Feature
THEFTLOCK is designed to discourage theft of your radio. It works by using a secret code to disable all radio functions whenever battery power is removed. The THEFTLOCK feature for the radio may be used or ignored. If ignored, the system plays normally and the radio is not protected by the feature. If THEFTLOCK is activated, your radio will not operate if stolen. When THEFTLOCK is activated, the radio will display LOC to indicate a locked condition anytime battery power has been interrupted. If your battery loses power for any reason, you must unlock the radio with the secret code before it will operate.
THEFTLOCK is designed to discourage theft of your radio. It works by using a secret code to disable all radio functions whenever battery power is removed. The THEFTLOCK feature for the radio may be used or ignored. If ignored, the system plays normally and the radio is not protected by the feature. If THEFTLOCK is activated, your radio will not operate if stolen. When THEFTLOCK is activated, the radio will display LOC to indicate a locked condition anytime battery power has been interrupted. If your battery loses power for any reason, you must unlock the radio with the secret code before it will operate.
Unlock C5 Radio
Hope this answers your question and helps.
Last edited by GrayC5; Oct 15, 2006 at 07:05 PM.
Safety Car
Joined: Feb 2001
Posts: 3,725
Likes: 53
From: Warrington Pa.
When I purchased my car the salesman asked me for a 4 digit # I would remember and suggested I keep a record of that #. I have had to unlock the radio several times with no problem.
Last edited by Bill Vett; Oct 15, 2006 at 07:07 PM.
Drifting
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 1,383
Likes: 1
From: Newport News va
Ok...
I think i understand what your asking. If there is a security code set on the radio the radio will be locked once the power is disconnected. This is at least true for most models that have a security option. I have a 98 also. I am not sure if it does have this option or not. I have been told that if it does lock that you need to go to the dealer to unlock it.
I had a miata that had this option...
I guess what you need to find out is if your radio had this option.
I hope this is what you where talking about...
I think i understand what your asking. If there is a security code set on the radio the radio will be locked once the power is disconnected. This is at least true for most models that have a security option. I have a 98 also. I am not sure if it does have this option or not. I have been told that if it does lock that you need to go to the dealer to unlock it.
I had a miata that had this option...
I guess what you need to find out is if your radio had this option.
I hope this is what you where talking about...
