Battery keeps draining
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 1,995
Likes: 9
From: Camdenton MO
2024 C5 of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
Battery keeps draining
Every couple of days my battery keeps losing it's charge. It began doing this with the last battery (hence, why I bought another one) if I listened to the radio for about a 1/2-hour without the car running. It's now gotten worse, and is losing charge just sitting in the carport.
So, my question is, is there one more common area than others to look at for draining my battery while it's off? Maybe something typical that other owners have experienced?
Any help would be appreciated. Thanks in advance!
So, my question is, is there one more common area than others to look at for draining my battery while it's off? Maybe something typical that other owners have experienced?
Any help would be appreciated. Thanks in advance!
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jul 2002
Posts: 1,054
Likes: 0
From: Perry Hall MD
The batteries in these cars seem to train easy. Go to Harbor Freight and buy a Battery Float Charger. It will keep your battery charged and will not overcharge. It also will not charge a dead battery. I paid $7.00 for mine.
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 1,995
Likes: 9
From: Camdenton MO
2024 C5 of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
That will definitely be something I'll check into, but this is more serious than a regular drain issue. It's been something that is getting worse. To the point I wouldn't take the car too far from home and consider it reliable for a re-start somewhere. 
Drifting
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 1,737
Likes: 349
From: Layton Utah
Not sure how long you've had the battery but if it were mine I would take to some place and have it tested under a load. I had to do that with mine and it showed a weak cell. Battery was still under waranty so was replaced with no cost. At the same time they are testing battery they can usually test rest of charging system to see if there is a current draw etc. Most places will do this for free such as Sears, Autozone, etc. My chevy dealer did mine because I still had the orig warranty on the AC Delco. Good luck.
Safety Car
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 4,487
Likes: 5
From: Naples Florida
I had a similar problem. The mechanic that works on my car only works on vettes. The first place he looked was the visor mirror lights, he checked to see if they stayed on when closed. He also said that water will sometime leak into the switches on the electric seats causing them to short and drain the battery. My car does not get driven enough because of my work schedule. I sometimes put the float charger on it and it has been good ever since.
Team Owner
Joined: May 2001
Posts: 25,049
Likes: 1,265
From: Virginia
St. Jude Donor '11
Every couple of days my battery keeps losing it's charge. It began doing this with the last battery (hence, why I bought another one) if I listened to the radio for about a 1/2-hour without the car running. It's now gotten worse, and is losing charge just sitting in the carport.
So, my question is, is there one more common area than others to look at for draining my battery while it's off? Maybe something typical that other owners have experienced?
Any help would be appreciated. Thanks in advance!
So, my question is, is there one more common area than others to look at for draining my battery while it's off? Maybe something typical that other owners have experienced?
Any help would be appreciated. Thanks in advance!
Tech Contributor
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 19,384
Likes: 87
From: Horncastle Lincolnshire, England
2023 C5 of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
I see you have a 2000. If its the original AC Delco battery change it now as a precaution. Those batteries are prone to leaking and the results are catastrophic. The PCM is under the battery tray and any leaks damage the wiring and computer. Seven years is good for any battery and $150 for a new one is a good insurance policy.
If the battery is on its way out a new one will probably solve the problem.
Optima offer a 3 year guarantee. If it loses its charge after you fit it they'll replace it for free.
You could also try a battery drain check. Bill Curlee posted a great "How To":
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/show...rent+draw+test
If the battery is on its way out a new one will probably solve the problem.
Optima offer a 3 year guarantee. If it loses its charge after you fit it they'll replace it for free.
You could also try a battery drain check. Bill Curlee posted a great "How To":
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/show...rent+draw+test
Last edited by DeeGee; Mar 20, 2007 at 02:32 AM.
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Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 1,995
Likes: 9
From: Camdenton MO
2024 C5 of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
Thanks gang. You've given me some ideas where to look first. Nothing worse than thinking you got an expensive paper-weight in the drive. 
It's a newer battery. Probably getting near a year old right now. It totally went over my head to have the battery tested right off the bat, though. I was probably too ticked off to logically think things out.
It's a newer battery. Probably getting near a year old right now. It totally went over my head to have the battery tested right off the bat, though. I was probably too ticked off to logically think things out.
Visor lites, under hood lite.
Tech Contributor
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 19,384
Likes: 87
From: Horncastle Lincolnshire, England
2023 C5 of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
The other gotcha is the cabin lights. Theres a rotary **** on the front panel to the left of the steering wheel. Its possible to have that cracked open (turned clockwise) and for the lights to be on.
Not sure if thats tied into the power saver circuit. They may go out after 15 mins or so like the other lights.
I found that by accident when I closed the car down in a dark garage and all the interior lights were still on.
The drain check should tell you whats causing the problem.
Not sure if thats tied into the power saver circuit. They may go out after 15 mins or so like the other lights.
I found that by accident when I closed the car down in a dark garage and all the interior lights were still on.
The drain check should tell you whats causing the problem.
Pro
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 666
Likes: 0
From: somewhere on tour as jake blues ohio
also try cleaning all of the ground plugs i think there is 10 or more they are easy to find just look for grey plugs on the frame,they are easily corroted some how my car is only 3 yrs old and they were dirty as helll
