Draining battery :(
Thread Starter
3rd Gear
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 3
Likes: 0
From: Erotic City CA.
Draining battery :(
Hello Peep's, this is my 1st time posting on Vette Forum and I hope I can help others as well as receive some help with By Vette 
I have this prob with my '00 C5
I recently had my ignition switch fixed at the Chev dealer here in Vallejo, and ever since my battery has went down and my right side headlamp is making a noise like a stripped gear in the headlamp, my battery will drain instantaneously if the light's are left on and the key is removed and or if anything electrical,light's left on or radio, the car goes dead and I have to jump it and it start's up immediately. I bought a new battery, but when I went to put it in and unhook the old 1 the headlamp noise came on and lasted 10 sec's as if i had turned on my headlight's. I'm baffled by this, anyone ever experience this prob, Thank's all !
I have this prob with my '00 C5 I recently had my ignition switch fixed at the Chev dealer here in Vallejo, and ever since my battery has went down and my right side headlamp is making a noise like a stripped gear in the headlamp, my battery will drain instantaneously if the light's are left on and the key is removed and or if anything electrical,light's left on or radio, the car goes dead and I have to jump it and it start's up immediately. I bought a new battery, but when I went to put it in and unhook the old 1 the headlamp noise came on and lasted 10 sec's as if i had turned on my headlight's. I'm baffled by this, anyone ever experience this prob, Thank's all !
Safety Car
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 4,735
Likes: 14
From: Visalia CA
Welcome, "jesmalo". 
Don't know about your battery problem. Someone will pipe up soon, I'm sure. Just wanted to welcome you to the forum. Could ya please fill out your profile? We all want to get to know ya. At least a first name? You're from Vallejo. That's Calif., right? Visalia, CA here.
Don't know about your battery problem. Someone will pipe up soon, I'm sure. Just wanted to welcome you to the forum. Could ya please fill out your profile? We all want to get to know ya. At least a first name? You're from Vallejo. That's Calif., right? Visalia, CA here.
Tech Contributor
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 19,384
Likes: 87
From: Horncastle Lincolnshire, England
2023 C5 of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
Looks like a new battery will fix the first issue. These cars are battery hungry and the OEM Delcos are bad. If its an old one, take a good look around and make sure it hasn't leaked onto the tray.
You headlight gears are stripped. the gears are nylon and very flimsy.
I've never heard that problem with the motor not cutting out. The motor tries to close the lights if it senses that they are open. If the gear is stripped it's trying to close the lights but the gear is spinning without hitting the end stop. Its supposed to cut out after about 10 secs even with a stripped gear.
Try this thread and run down to headlight motors. It describes the problem and where to buy the brass gears. If you're doing one you may want to replace both at the same time. I had mine done under warranty but I have the euro headlights which are heavier. I have a set of brass gears waiting to go in.
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/showthread.php?t=984927
Btw, fill out your profile than members can give advice specific to your Vette.
You headlight gears are stripped. the gears are nylon and very flimsy.
I've never heard that problem with the motor not cutting out. The motor tries to close the lights if it senses that they are open. If the gear is stripped it's trying to close the lights but the gear is spinning without hitting the end stop. Its supposed to cut out after about 10 secs even with a stripped gear.
Try this thread and run down to headlight motors. It describes the problem and where to buy the brass gears. If you're doing one you may want to replace both at the same time. I had mine done under warranty but I have the euro headlights which are heavier. I have a set of brass gears waiting to go in.
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/showthread.php?t=984927
Btw, fill out your profile than members can give advice specific to your Vette.
Thread Starter
3rd Gear
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 3
Likes: 0
From: Erotic City CA.
Thanks to all, I think when I took it in to the Stealership and had my ignition switch worked on they disabled something and it hasn't started right since, I still haven't put the new battery in, maybe I will do that , but it still baffle's me when I leave my door's or or trunk that the car will die fast, and when i jump it start's instantly. Also, could the headlight stripped gear be draining it , I haven't replaced it yet as well, or should I return it back to the Stealership and demand that they fix it since I paid for the ignition switch fix and the car doesn't work right, is there someone at GM headquarter's to contact ? Thank's
and it hasn't started right since, I still haven't put the new battery in, maybe I will do that , but it still baffle's me when I leave my door's or or trunk that the car will die fast, and when i jump it start's instantly. Also, could the headlight stripped gear be draining it , I haven't replaced it yet as well, or should I return it back to the Stealership and demand that they fix it since I paid for the ignition switch fix and the car doesn't work right, is there someone at GM headquarter's to contact ? Thank's
Last edited by iesmalo; Jun 20, 2007 at 09:24 AM. Reason: misspelled word
Melting Slicks
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 2,787
Likes: 139
From: center of Kalifornia
I don't think that stripped gear has anything to do with the battery drain at all. I would get that battery in and see how everything works. If battery drain hits quick again go back to the stealership and advise him of what you have done since they worked on it.
