Battery is draining my patience
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 2,602
Likes: 38
From: Westchester County, NY
Battery is draining my patience
The battery continues to drain as I check it each night and reconnect the charger/trickle.
I'm worried about going to a dealer and having a mechanic spend hours looking for a short.
Does anyone know a good mechanic with knowledge about C5's electrical system in Westchester County, NY???
Thanks guys, I appreciate it.
I'm worried about going to a dealer and having a mechanic spend hours looking for a short.
Does anyone know a good mechanic with knowledge about C5's electrical system in Westchester County, NY???
Thanks guys, I appreciate it.
Safety Car
Joined: Oct 2000
Posts: 4,949
Likes: 10
From: Monticello MN
What kind of battery do you have and how old is it? Your battery may be in the process of failing. Also, the electrical system does have a very small constant draw, and, many have reported that their batteries are low during periods of infrequent driving. A weak battery would suffer under these conditions.
Ed
Ed
Tech Contributor
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 19,384
Likes: 87
From: Horncastle Lincolnshire, England
2023 C5 of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
What type of battery do you have and how old is it?
If its an AGM type (Red Top or 01-03 AC Delco) chances are its toast. Once the AGMs are discharged they dont recover and wont hold a charge.
If its an old lead acid type, it's probably dying anyway. They typically last about 5 years depending on climate. Extremes of hot or cold is hard on a bettery. You can get the battery checked under load for free at Autozone.
This car has a drain even at rest. If your car's not a DD or you make short trips, maybe the battery never fully charges.
In any event its time for a new battery. Its an easy DIY change. Just make sure you have the security code if you have a stock radio.
You may want to consider buying a battery tender if the car sits for any length of time between trips. That way dead batteries are a thing of the past.
If you really think you have a drain (seat switches, interior lights left on, radar warners and audio gear are a common source), Bill Curlee posted how to check for a drain in his electrical sticky in C5 Tech.
HTH
If its an AGM type (Red Top or 01-03 AC Delco) chances are its toast. Once the AGMs are discharged they dont recover and wont hold a charge.
If its an old lead acid type, it's probably dying anyway. They typically last about 5 years depending on climate. Extremes of hot or cold is hard on a bettery. You can get the battery checked under load for free at Autozone.
This car has a drain even at rest. If your car's not a DD or you make short trips, maybe the battery never fully charges.
In any event its time for a new battery. Its an easy DIY change. Just make sure you have the security code if you have a stock radio.
You may want to consider buying a battery tender if the car sits for any length of time between trips. That way dead batteries are a thing of the past.
If you really think you have a drain (seat switches, interior lights left on, radar warners and audio gear are a common source), Bill Curlee posted how to check for a drain in his electrical sticky in C5 Tech.
HTH
Melting Slicks
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 2,336
Likes: 4
From: NW Arkansas
St. Jude Donor '08-'09
I had a faulty driver's side seat bolster switch. it would drain a fully charged battery in less than 36 hours. diagnosing electrical problems can be time consuming. the car can sit now for 4 weeks with no starting problems...... plain old three year old Delco and no charger
Burning Brakes
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 1,217
Likes: 5
From: Stark County Ohio
Has anything changed at the time this battery drain started? Anything new installed, anything acting up recently? – Lights – door – electric seats – heating system – new sound system install or repair, etc.?
If the battery proves OK (sometimes installing a new battery if you have any doubts) you can pull the main fuses of some “non essential” systems as a starting point. If the drain stops, reinstall the fuses one at a time to determine which circuit is at fault.
Keep track (write it all down) of the fuses pulled & reinstalled.
If push comes to shove, you may have to start by pulling ALL the fuses and replacing one at a time with a meter attached at the battery. (amp meter wired in series) Not difficult to do.
It is normal to have a slight current draw when the car is “off”. (I think – please verify this independently – about 35 milliamps is normal. That is not very much of a current draw – but even this slight draw will drain a car battery after a few weeks.
Read the Electrical Stickey at the top of C5-Tech.
Keep us apprised of your progress. Much help can be found here.
If the battery proves OK (sometimes installing a new battery if you have any doubts) you can pull the main fuses of some “non essential” systems as a starting point. If the drain stops, reinstall the fuses one at a time to determine which circuit is at fault.
Keep track (write it all down) of the fuses pulled & reinstalled.
If push comes to shove, you may have to start by pulling ALL the fuses and replacing one at a time with a meter attached at the battery. (amp meter wired in series) Not difficult to do.
It is normal to have a slight current draw when the car is “off”. (I think – please verify this independently – about 35 milliamps is normal. That is not very much of a current draw – but even this slight draw will drain a car battery after a few weeks.
Read the Electrical Stickey at the top of C5-Tech.
Keep us apprised of your progress. Much help can be found here.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 860
Likes: 3
I don't but maybe someone does. I understand your fear of having it at a dealer for hours or days, being worked on by someone that does not specialize in electrical issues. You may want to ask in the NE Regional section of the forum, or if you know of some local clubs, ask them too.
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Safety Car
Joined: Oct 2000
Posts: 4,949
Likes: 10
From: Monticello MN
Why don't you get a simple load test done on your battery as a starting point? Any NAPA, or similar, dealer will do it for free. Then you can eliminate what may be the highest potential source of your problem before you spend any money.
Ed
Ed
Last edited by C5XTASY; Mar 25, 2009 at 05:00 PM.