Battery Question
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 2,928
Likes: 55
From: Port Saint Lucie, Florida
Battery Question
Hi
My 02 has the original battery and it hasn't failed me yet but l only drive it on the weekends and l keep it on a trickle charger. Should l just change it for the sake of changing it and should l get a Redtop.
By the way besides looking under the battery is thee a way l can tell if it's leaking?
Thanks
Alan
My 02 has the original battery and it hasn't failed me yet but l only drive it on the weekends and l keep it on a trickle charger. Should l just change it for the sake of changing it and should l get a Redtop.
By the way besides looking under the battery is thee a way l can tell if it's leaking?
Thanks
Alan
Drifting
Joined: Jul 2002
Posts: 1,649
Likes: 15
From: My Garage. Upstate, SC
Most of the leaks I've seen are on the top edges and sides, near the cables.
If the battery isn't leaking, don't spend the money. It'll die eventually and you can get your red-top then.
If the battery isn't leaking, don't spend the money. It'll die eventually and you can get your red-top then.
Race Director
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 10,554
Likes: 33
From: Not on either liberal coast.
If you remove your current battery you might see a white powdery substance on the area beneath. You might see moisture on the sides of the battery case. You might see white powdery substance on the tray.
It will taste bitter, but I don't suggest you try a taste test. Baking soda on leaking acid areas will bubble up and fizz. Your battery cables might show some white powdery substance (or green tinge) near the terminals.
Some of your HVAC components might not be working, ie, the vacuum tubes beneath the battery might be damaged/leaking.
I replaced my oem '04 battery with an OPTIMA the day I brought it home almost two years ago.
Stand by for the "What's the best battery debate"...
It's your car to do with as you please.
It will taste bitter, but I don't suggest you try a taste test. Baking soda on leaking acid areas will bubble up and fizz. Your battery cables might show some white powdery substance (or green tinge) near the terminals.
Some of your HVAC components might not be working, ie, the vacuum tubes beneath the battery might be damaged/leaking.
I replaced my oem '04 battery with an OPTIMA the day I brought it home almost two years ago.
Stand by for the "What's the best battery debate"...
It's your car to do with as you please.
Last edited by hotwheels57; Mar 25, 2008 at 01:19 PM.
Life Time NCM #2196
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 82,582
Likes: 1,692
From: Converse TX
If it was me I would get a red top and keep the trickle charger on it, that is what I have done with my 99 coupe that is not a DD and now issues and I do not have to worry about an acid leak, do before you need to
Race Director
Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 19,304
Likes: 85
From: San Diego CA
Kingman,
You have an AC Delco AGM, which is leakproof. My exact same battery has lasted me just about 7 years. It probably would've gone longer had I not inadvertantly drained it by leaving my detector on (something set it off for many hours while I was away).
Therefore, I will be picking up my 75-7YR Professional battery - a recently redesigned lead acid that carries a 50-month FREE replacement warranty (3 more years, pro-rated on top of that), in about 30 minutes. Cost is $130. An absorbant mat will reside underneath, but I am very confident that the case will not crack or leak.
You have an AC Delco AGM, which is leakproof. My exact same battery has lasted me just about 7 years. It probably would've gone longer had I not inadvertantly drained it by leaving my detector on (something set it off for many hours while I was away).
Therefore, I will be picking up my 75-7YR Professional battery - a recently redesigned lead acid that carries a 50-month FREE replacement warranty (3 more years, pro-rated on top of that), in about 30 minutes. Cost is $130. An absorbant mat will reside underneath, but I am very confident that the case will not crack or leak.
Tech Contributor
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 19,384
Likes: 87
From: Horncastle Lincolnshire, England
2023 C5 of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
Hi Kingman
Heres about all I can offer on the subject. Best tip is to check around the side posts. With an 02 battery thats wher its most likely to leak.
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/show....php?t=1974928
FWIW my 02 was a DOA
My 98 was a "leaker"
03s and beyond were produced by Johnson Controls. Yours may still be a risky one.
Good info from timd38 in the link.
Heres about all I can offer on the subject. Best tip is to check around the side posts. With an 02 battery thats wher its most likely to leak.
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/show....php?t=1974928
FWIW my 02 was a DOA
My 98 was a "leaker"
03s and beyond were produced by Johnson Controls. Yours may still be a risky one.
Good info from timd38 in the link.
Last edited by DeeGee; Mar 25, 2008 at 04:22 PM.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Mar 2002
Posts: 2,203
Likes: 63
From: Staten Island NY
Alan
I would replace it. Many times with the stock battery there is no warning that its going bad. (just the click of the started solinoid).
I am replacing mine with a Delco product.
Ws
I would replace it. Many times with the stock battery there is no warning that its going bad. (just the click of the started solinoid).
I am replacing mine with a Delco product.
Ws
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Team Owner
Joined: May 2006
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From: Palmdale, Ca----- 2009 Cyber Gray 4LT A6 F55 452 RWHP 422 RWTQ- RIP 1998 C5 734 RWHP & 585 RWTQ-----
Hi
My 02 has the original battery and it hasn't failed me yet but l only drive it on the weekends and l keep it on a trickle charger. Should l just change it for the sake of changing it and should l get a Redtop.
By the way besides looking under the battery is thee a way l can tell if it's leaking?
Thanks
Alan
My 02 has the original battery and it hasn't failed me yet but l only drive it on the weekends and l keep it on a trickle charger. Should l just change it for the sake of changing it and should l get a Redtop.
By the way besides looking under the battery is thee a way l can tell if it's leaking?
Thanks
Alan
Turn the tire and with a small 8mm wrench you can remove it in order to see the area in question
Wait till the battery shows signs of wear then replace it - you will know! You have done well with the trickle charger
Thanks,Matt
Racer
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 336
Likes: 0
From: Pine Colorado
I was told by several battery suppliers (checker, auto zone, sears) that the top of the line batteries (optima yellow top, AC Delco, and best Die Hard) were made by Johnson Controls and are best ones and most reliable ones out there. Most of the others are made by Exide - the leakers and the short life batteries. I replaced my Interstate battery with a yellow top Optima in my 94 and have the AC Delco in my 02. Do not buy the batteries with the top and side posts. The top posts are not reliable as they are not fastened inside the battery case very well and will break loose. Plus they look terrible. But all batteries will fail, some sooner than others. Make your choice, you get what you pay for.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Mar 2002
Posts: 2,203
Likes: 63
From: Staten Island NY
On the passenger side front fender well there is an inspection panel for the PCM.
Turn the tire and with a small 8mm wrench you can remove it in order to see the area in question
Wait till the battery shows signs of wear then replace it - you will know! You have done well with the trickle charger
Thanks,Matt
Turn the tire and with a small 8mm wrench you can remove it in order to see the area in question
Wait till the battery shows signs of wear then replace it - you will know! You have done well with the trickle charger
Thanks,Matt
WS
Last edited by warren s; Mar 26, 2008 at 09:15 AM.
Race Director
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 14,108
Likes: 26
From: 4th on the list of top 100 in USA Ga.
Kingman,
You have an AC Delco AGM, which is leakproof. My exact same battery has lasted me just about 7 years. It probably would've gone longer had I not inadvertantly drained it by leaving my detector on (something set it off for many hours while I was away).
Therefore, I will be picking up my 75-7YR Professional battery - a recently redesigned lead acid that carries a 50-month FREE replacement warranty (3 more years, pro-rated on top of that), in about 30 minutes. Cost is $130. An absorbant mat will reside underneath, but I am very confident that the case will not crack or leak.
You have an AC Delco AGM, which is leakproof. My exact same battery has lasted me just about 7 years. It probably would've gone longer had I not inadvertantly drained it by leaving my detector on (something set it off for many hours while I was away).
Therefore, I will be picking up my 75-7YR Professional battery - a recently redesigned lead acid that carries a 50-month FREE replacement warranty (3 more years, pro-rated on top of that), in about 30 minutes. Cost is $130. An absorbant mat will reside underneath, but I am very confident that the case will not crack or leak.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 8,847
Likes: 795
From: Longview Texas
As more Optima batteries get in the market, the more obvious it is that they can fail like any other batteries.
The only advantange is that they eliminate the side post.
I would go with a AC Delco top post Professional battery and change to 2004 top post cables. Delco added a 50 month replacement warranty on the professional grade batteries.
The only advantange is that they eliminate the side post.
I would go with a AC Delco top post Professional battery and change to 2004 top post cables. Delco added a 50 month replacement warranty on the professional grade batteries.
Terminal Vette Addict
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 1,634
Likes: 46
From: Philly PA
Red Top... and it matches my paint :-P
If you do, CALL around! There are 2 red tops sold... only a few bucks diffference btwn them. I have the one with 1000CCA, it took trying over a dozen phone calls to track it down locally.
If you do, CALL around! There are 2 red tops sold... only a few bucks diffference btwn them. I have the one with 1000CCA, it took trying over a dozen phone calls to track it down locally.
Navigator
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 9
Likes: 0
From: Jenison Michigan
I moved to Grand Rapids, Michigan.
I'm happy with the amount of Z06s on the road
I'm unhappy with the bitter winter. So, I let my battery drain, waiting for the snow to melt and it is not charging very fast on a trickle charger. How long should that take?
I'm happy with the amount of Z06s on the road
I'm unhappy with the bitter winter. So, I let my battery drain, waiting for the snow to melt and it is not charging very fast on a trickle charger. How long should that take?
Race Director
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 10,554
Likes: 33
From: Not on either liberal coast.
That's hard to say...some depends on the battery manufacturer.
If you allowed it to go completely discharged, it may never come back, especially if it's been allowed to completely discharge in the past. Every time you completely discharge a battery, you have effectively shortened its life.
Put it on a slow charge for a few days and see what happens. If not, buy a new one.
If you allowed it to go completely discharged, it may never come back, especially if it's been allowed to completely discharge in the past. Every time you completely discharge a battery, you have effectively shortened its life.
Put it on a slow charge for a few days and see what happens. If not, buy a new one.
Advanced
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 52
Likes: 0
From: "Officer, are you sure I was going that fast?" Texas
My orginial delco died without warning in my 03, and I used a trickle charger. I found a NAPA gel battery with a 7yr warranty on it and it was reasonable. It probably will compare with the red top, but it was alittle cheaper in price
