Car just died
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 212
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From: Huntsville Alabama
Car just died
Went to get in the Vette (2002) yesterday to go to work. First thing I noticed was that the key fob did not make the lights come on as usual, car was already unlocked. I'm thinking I need a new battery for the fob, no big deal. Got in and tried to start the car and nothing, no gauges, no lights no starter drag, nothing, not a sound, totally dead. My wife took me to work.
She called AAA and they came out and charged the battery and it started right up. She took it to a near by Autozone and they ran a check on it and said the battery and alternator were fine. She brought it home a let it run for a half hour or so and then shut it off. This evening I go to get in it to go somewhere and the same thing all over again, key fob does nothing, cars dead, nothing at all. Whats up here? Thanks!!
I did a search and did not find what I have going on here, please help.
She called AAA and they came out and charged the battery and it started right up. She took it to a near by Autozone and they ran a check on it and said the battery and alternator were fine. She brought it home a let it run for a half hour or so and then shut it off. This evening I go to get in it to go somewhere and the same thing all over again, key fob does nothing, cars dead, nothing at all. Whats up here? Thanks!!
I did a search and did not find what I have going on here, please help.
Last edited by KeithG; Dec 8, 2007 at 08:06 PM.
Le Mans Master
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You need to have a load test done on your battery. Regardless of what the car parts place says, I'd bet you have a battery headed south.
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If AAA charged the battery during a quick visit all they would do would be give it enough charge to get the car started. You'd need a long drive or an overnight charge to put enough spark back into it.
Next question is how old is the battery. If its an OEM Delco, they are renowned for leaking. For peace of mind, now that its started showing its age I'd replace it on spec. Almost certain that would solve your problem.
If the cars a DD regular use should keep the battery topped up. If its a weekend car you might want to think about a battery tender as these cars always have a minor drain even when dormant.
If its any consolation I'm on my third battery on my 02.
Next question is how old is the battery. If its an OEM Delco, they are renowned for leaking. For peace of mind, now that its started showing its age I'd replace it on spec. Almost certain that would solve your problem.
If the cars a DD regular use should keep the battery topped up. If its a weekend car you might want to think about a battery tender as these cars always have a minor drain even when dormant.
If its any consolation I'm on my third battery on my 02.
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From: Lake Havasu City, AZ
I would think your battery has been sulphated from continuing discharging... get it load tested for free at Autozone.
If it is the battery,put a new gel or spiral cell type battery in it .
If it is the battery,put a new gel or spiral cell type battery in it .
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Sounds like you may have some component of the car that is not shutting down like it should and creating a steady drain on the battery. Either that or your battery is on its way out, but that should have shown up when AutoZone checked it the first time. Might have them recheck it.
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Feb 2006
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From: Huntsville Alabama
Thanks guys 
I was tinking it had to be a bad battery. The one in it now is not OEM. The car is a DD and the battery in it now is only a year old so I can get it replaced for no cost. I will look into the gel, spiral gel battires.
I was tinking it had to be a bad battery. The one in it now is not OEM. The car is a DD and the battery in it now is only a year old so I can get it replaced for no cost. I will look into the gel, spiral gel battires.
Drifting
Joined: Feb 2004
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From: Las Vegas Nevada
If the battery is only a year old I believe that you have other
problems. Either a steady drain short in the system or possibly a
grounding issue.
Load test the battery before you replace it and that will be a good
indicator of where to start investigating.
If the battery is truely only a year old, you have another problem.
Good Luck
problems. Either a steady drain short in the system or possibly a
grounding issue.
Load test the battery before you replace it and that will be a good
indicator of where to start investigating.
If the battery is truely only a year old, you have another problem.
Good Luck
Le Mans Master
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From: Saraland Alabama
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I agree that unless your C5 is your daily driver you definitely need to keep a battery tender on it. My Redtop only lasted two years because I didn't have a battery tender at that time. Even the best of batteries can only stand about 100 deep cycle discharges and recharges and if your weekend driver sits there for two years only being driven on the weekends it will get those 100 cycles as our cars constantly draw considerable power from the battery. The amount they draw is small if the car is driven daily but if allowed to sit all week your battery will be down considerably and week after week of this routine will kill your high dollar battery.
I hook up my battery tender to my battery any time I don't intend to drive the car within the next day or two. It only takes a minute to do it.
I hook up my battery tender to my battery any time I don't intend to drive the car within the next day or two. It only takes a minute to do it.
Le Mans Master
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Sounds like you may have some component of the car that is not shutting down like it should and creating a steady drain on the battery. Either that or your battery is on its way out, but that should have shown up when AutoZone checked it the first time. Might have them recheck it.
Could be something like a under hood light not going off or and interior light.
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