Last Fall I purchased my first c-5 a beautiful 00 convertible with 14000 miles. Because of the pending nasty weather I put it in winter storage,an unheated rental unit w/o electric. I periodically started it up and gave it a brief run,but yesterday after not visiting it for 2 weeks I found it to have a very dead battery-no juice at all. I tried jumping it with a small battery pack jump unit,with the leads attached to the battery itself. even then I couldn't get any juice to even get the under the hood light to go on.Needless to say it would not start, I had planned to go back with a larger charging unit,but my mechanic said to be careful I might blow out the electronics or alternator. I am trying to avoid a costly tow and service at a Chevvy garage,so is there any safe way to do this ?,,any suggestion will be appreciated,note there is no electric at the storage unit so I can't use a trickle charger......Dan68

 

I would buy a new battery, bring it to the storage facility and install it.

 

I second the new battery. What happens with batteries that are allowed to die and stay dead is that they can never be returned to full-life, they are damaged forever. Put a new battery in and be done with it.

My car came with a brand new AC Delco battery that is just way too small. It is a 660 CCA and size-wise, it is not the right fit and I'm sure not the best battery for the car, but it is brand new so for now, it will stay. I am considering the Die Hard Platinum that someone just posted up a link to on the new battery thread.

 

if you currently have an AGM battery - there is a chance it is dead. They don't always recover from being discharged like the old wet acid ones used to.

 

One question? Did you walk to the storage place? Possible to jump it from the vehicle you drove over ?

I Understand the wanting to jump it part if you are just taking it out or letting it run a bit. It would be possible that if you put a good battery in it and left it again for an extended time, you'd be killing another battery.

But you're gonna have to replace it when you start using it regularly, and either figure out some way to get power to the storage area to use a battery tender or keep the car someplace else where you can.

Two other possibilities are to
1) put a battery disconnect in. That may help (but I'm not sure if it will solve) the problem. Generally if you leave a battery on the shelf for long enough, especially in an unheated environment, its gonna go dead. or
2) get used to pulling the battery out when you leave the car there and putting it on a tender at home.

Not sure what you are going to have to reset each time you put the battery back in (radio, seats memory, engine needing to relearn the stuff the computer needs to run optimally (possibly 40 miles).

Or, don't sweat it. Its march, you are probably planning to use it in 60 days tops. Letting it sit for another 60 days, even in the unheated storage, isn't gonna do anything to the car.

 

I dont know if vettes work the same as a Ta but my brother jumped his twice and each time his alternator quit. I had to replace them each time for him. Just go buy another battery.

 

I thank all those that responded, I guess the best solution is to buy a new battery, which I shall do...!

 

For next years storage period consider removing the battery and taking it to a place where you have power and then connecting it to a trickle charger a few days before you want to start the car.

 

That's your best bet.

Just make sure to FULLY charge it before you install it. Most new batteries on the shelf only have a 50-75% charge when they're sold.

Good luck, and welcome to the Forum!

 

Thanks again to all,but another question,it is difficult to change batteries. I previously had two c-4's and to change the battery you had to remove a body panel. Also since I have a very bad back,I can't lift heavy weights for any period of time. Any hints on removal /replacement would be appreciated...dan 68

 

It's pretty straight forward on a C5 Corvette.

Just remember to disable the theft lock feature on the radio, or know what the unlock code is before you disconnect the battery.

Also, disconnect the battery negative cable FIRST, and reconnect it LAST.

 

Don't forget you will need a 13mm socket and a long extension to get the tie down bolt out. While you have it out, you might want to put a battery pad down in case you ever have a leak (battery is right on top of your expensive to replace PCM).

 

Before you buy a new battery just yet, you might want to try jumping it with another car's battery. This whole winter my battery has been dying every 2 days and every time I checked it's below 2V. Anyway try jumping it first with another car.

 

I have jumped the verte with the wifes van, and it started right up, but after the second jump, well i bought a new battery , good luck

 

Just disconnect the cables and lift it right out of the battery den. Then place the new one in its place and connect the cables.

You probably already know this part:

Always DISCONNECT the negative (black) terminal first then DISCONNECT the positive (red) terminal last.

Always CONNECT the positive (red) terminal first then CONNECT the negative (black) terminal last.

 

Now where did I see that before?

 

man a lot of good advice next year get a storage with electric and a tender you'll be good to go

 

Well the problem resolved itself,I trickle charged the battery overnight,then started ir up this am and the message disappeared,so lets hope it stays that way. I want to thnk you for your help,I am really glad I joined this forum,it may be a big help to people like me who are not mechanically inclinned.