Another battery question
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 1,495
Likes: 0
From: Homer Glen IL
Another battery question
Dead battery on my 02'. Battery one year old. I left my radar detector plugged in for two weeks to aux port. Duh.
Now when I put the charger on I get a flashing underhood light and a clicking near the front of the car.
What is the correct way to recharge the battery?
Now when I put the charger on I get a flashing underhood light and a clicking near the front of the car.
What is the correct way to recharge the battery?
Burning Brakes
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 940
Likes: 0
From: Surprise Arizona
Deep discharging can be very hard on a battery such that it may not fully recover. If the battery has been sitting around for awhile in a discharged state, you may want to use a battery charger that includes a mode for desulfating before attempting to charge it. Otherwise, just run a trickle charge to it overnight. If you still have problems, you will need to have the battery load tested. Your battery shouldn't have gone bad because of a one-time discharge if it's only a year-old. But with batteries, you never know. Good luck. 
Intermediate
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 26
Likes: 0
From: Shakopee MN
I agree, do a trickle charge overnight if your charger supports it. A year is certainly on the short side, but I had something similar happen a couple of years ago. Batteries can be fickle, especially if your car isn't a daily driver and sees rare action in the winter months.
Is it a fast clicking, or a single click that you hear?
Edit: A flashing underhood light could signal a loose battery cable too, which would cause repeated clicks instead of a single click.
Is it a fast clicking, or a single click that you hear?
Edit: A flashing underhood light could signal a loose battery cable too, which would cause repeated clicks instead of a single click.
Last edited by Missile; Nov 9, 2007 at 09:51 PM.
Tech Contributor
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 10,962
Likes: 29
From: Van Buren Arkansas
Wounded Warrior Escort '11
First, you might disconnect the car from the battery, then charge it. Secondly, I know my '99 has a feature that kills power after 10 minutes, but I don't know if it applies to the accessory plug or not.
Tech Contributor
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 19,384
Likes: 87
From: Horncastle Lincolnshire, England
2023 C5 of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
If its an AC Delco I'd change it on spec.
Once those things die they are unpredictable. Mine died a death without warning at 8k miles. Luckily I was stranded in my garage and not away from the house.
Also the older batteries were prone to leaking before they updated the post design, although the guys say the 06s were a better design. Leaking acid and Vettes dont mix.
At least you know why it died. It may recharge and be fine. On the other hand.......................
$150 for a leak free AGM battery may be a good investment IMHO. An Optima Yellow Top is a deep cycle battery, wont leak and can live with occasional discharges.
Once those things die they are unpredictable. Mine died a death without warning at 8k miles. Luckily I was stranded in my garage and not away from the house.
Also the older batteries were prone to leaking before they updated the post design, although the guys say the 06s were a better design. Leaking acid and Vettes dont mix.
At least you know why it died. It may recharge and be fine. On the other hand.......................
$150 for a leak free AGM battery may be a good investment IMHO. An Optima Yellow Top is a deep cycle battery, wont leak and can live with occasional discharges.
Last edited by DeeGee; Nov 10, 2007 at 02:56 AM.
Race Director
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 13,592
Likes: 187
From: Hudson WI
NCM Sinkhole Donor
If its an AC Delco I'd change it on spec.
Once those things die they are unpredictable. Mine died a death without warning at 8k miles. Luckily I was stranded in my garage and not away from the house.
Also the older batteries were prone to leaking before they updated the post design, although the guys say the 06s were a better design. Leaking acid and Vettes dont mix.
At least you know why it died. It may recharge and be fine. On the other hand.......................
$150 for a leak free AGM battery may be a good investment IMHO. An Optima Yellow Top is a deep cycle battery, wont leak and can live with occasional discharges.
Once those things die they are unpredictable. Mine died a death without warning at 8k miles. Luckily I was stranded in my garage and not away from the house.
Also the older batteries were prone to leaking before they updated the post design, although the guys say the 06s were a better design. Leaking acid and Vettes dont mix.
At least you know why it died. It may recharge and be fine. On the other hand.......................
$150 for a leak free AGM battery may be a good investment IMHO. An Optima Yellow Top is a deep cycle battery, wont leak and can live with occasional discharges.
Standard SLI batteries are not made to be deeply discharged. An Optima Yellow Top will take that type of abuse becasue it was designed to take it. I have a Yellow Top in my car. You can't beat Spiral Cell Technology for power and life.
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