Quick battery question
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Oct 2001
Posts: 252
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From: FL.
Quick battery question
My 2002 Corvette is a daily driver so it never sits for any length of time. When I was leaving for work yesterday morning, it would not crank and was reading like 8 volts on the meter. It would click but not start. I had to get to work so I just left it and rode in with my wife.
Now my first Delco battery didn't last much over a year and died instantly like this one. The replacement that the dealership put in is around 4 years old so I just picked up a new battery over lunch and put it in when I got home. It started right up and the voltage on the DIC was 13.9 volts.
I'm pretty sure it was just the battery (or possibly even the terminal connect though they were clean and very tight when I changed the battery) but want to make sure that the alternator is working ok. If my battery is reading 11.8 volts on the DIC with the key turned on and 13.9 and 14.0 when I start it, does that mean the alternator is fine and that I should be ok now?
Thanks.
Now my first Delco battery didn't last much over a year and died instantly like this one. The replacement that the dealership put in is around 4 years old so I just picked up a new battery over lunch and put it in when I got home. It started right up and the voltage on the DIC was 13.9 volts.
I'm pretty sure it was just the battery (or possibly even the terminal connect though they were clean and very tight when I changed the battery) but want to make sure that the alternator is working ok. If my battery is reading 11.8 volts on the DIC with the key turned on and 13.9 and 14.0 when I start it, does that mean the alternator is fine and that I should be ok now?
Thanks.
Team Owner
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 58,551
Likes: 95
From: The warm part of Anger Island
St. Jude Donor '09
You should be fine. If the new battery goes dead, you have a power drain somwehere or the alternator is bad. But, it's most likely not the alternator. If you still aren't comfortable with the reading on the DIC, take it to Autozone and have them do the free charging system check for you.
This topic has been
to death on here many times, but I still say buy the optima red top battery. I've found that to be the most reliable one I have bought for any of my vehicles.
This topic has been
to death on here many times, but I still say buy the optima red top battery. I've found that to be the most reliable one I have bought for any of my vehicles.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 763
Likes: 1
From: Oceanside Ca
Battery/Alternator
YUP, your 12 volt battery should read around 12 volts with the engine off and the ignition key on. Once the engine is started the alternator should bring the voltage up to at least 13.5-14 volts. This voltage increase does indeed prove the alternator is working. In the event the voltage does not change when the engine is running then the alternator is having problems. I have an '01 vert and had to finally replace the factory battery. She is not my Daily Driver and the voltage draw from the electronics on these 'vettes is enormous! I wager you could power a small third world village with the "standby" voltage consumed by these cars! If you have a daily driver then your battery should last for several years, otherwise you will need a battery tender like I have for my Garage Queen!
Melting Slicks
Joined: Feb 2001
Posts: 2,562
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From: (Temporarily) Colorado Springs Colorado
No comment on the Red Top ... my Vette is sitting dead in the garage again, after not driving it for a week or so. My original Delco died in about 3 years, and I NEVER had to use a battery tender.
Hahahaha I agree about
Hahahaha I agree about
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 2,754
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From: Nokomis FL
I have to change the battery in my daily driver every 2 1/2 to 3 years. I switched to a AAA battery and get it delivered and changed under warranty. 
I think the Florida heat has a lot to do with it.
I think the Florida heat has a lot to do with it.
Team Owner
Joined: Jan 2006
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From: The warm part of Anger Island
St. Jude Donor '09
I rarely saw a battery last longer than 3 years when I lived in Jacksonville. When I worked for N.A.P.A and PepBoys, most of our battery sales were done during the hotter months....
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From the numbers you mention, sounds like the charging system is working OK. I agree that if the new battery goes dead, you may have some other drain on the battery.
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Verdad Gallardo
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Don't forget the DIC reading is only accurate once the engine is running. Someone way smarter than me reminded me of that when I had a dead battery after the car arrived off the boat. The only accurate reading is to put the multi meter on the battery terminals.
These cars have such a drain that it just makes sense to put it on a battery tender if its going to sit for any length of time. Do you have a short commute? Maybe the battery doesn't fully recharge on a short trip. In that case an overnight charge every so often would fix the problem.
If you want to check whether you have a drain on the system try Bill Curlee's test:
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/show...rent+draw+test
Welcome to the Dead AC Delco Club by the way.
These cars have such a drain that it just makes sense to put it on a battery tender if its going to sit for any length of time. Do you have a short commute? Maybe the battery doesn't fully recharge on a short trip. In that case an overnight charge every so often would fix the problem.
If you want to check whether you have a drain on the system try Bill Curlee's test:
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/show...rent+draw+test
Welcome to the Dead AC Delco Club by the way.
Last edited by DeeGee; Jul 22, 2007 at 02:46 AM.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 1,092
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From: Deerfield VA
St. Jude Donor '07
That is an excellent point, "extreme heat" toasting batteries. As a former New Englander, I can tell you this, -15 to 20 degrees a winter doesn't help them last either, a garaged car helps prolong battery life. Seeing this post just reminded me, my '04 (which I just replaced the battery on) spent two years of ownership, in Florida!!
John
John
