Battery question for a 99
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Sep 2000
Posts: 412
Likes: 34
From: Blairsville....North Georgia Georgia
Battery question for a 99
Hello,
I have not been able to drive my 99 for close to 6 weeks. I came back and it barely turned over but did start. I drove it only a few miles and then turned it off and restarted it with no problem. I should add that while driving the DIC guage showed the volt reading was 14.1 constant, no fluctuation which I guess means it was charging OK? But.................
I checked the battery with a volt/amp meter and it is registering 12.3 volts. 1)should I charged the battery? 2)or just let the driving do the charging?
Thanks
I have not been able to drive my 99 for close to 6 weeks. I came back and it barely turned over but did start. I drove it only a few miles and then turned it off and restarted it with no problem. I should add that while driving the DIC guage showed the volt reading was 14.1 constant, no fluctuation which I guess means it was charging OK? But.................
I checked the battery with a volt/amp meter and it is registering 12.3 volts. 1)should I charged the battery? 2)or just let the driving do the charging?
Thanks
Instructor
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 247
Likes: 1
Although the alternater is showing 14.1 it doesnt mean the battery will hold that charge.how old is the battery? I just replaced mine in my1999coupe,i put in a7 year delco battery.it may be time to change out your battery.......good luck
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 804
Likes: 4
Aside from checking the battery and charging system C5's had problems with vanity mirror door not closing all the way and the light staying on or the glove box light switch coming loose/braking and the light continuously drawing down the battery. Small bulb = small draw but enough to severely weaken battery over two/three week period.
Drifting
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 1,737
Likes: 349
From: Layton Utah
It would be interesting to know how old the battery is. You should have the battery tested under load which tells you if the battery needs to be replaced or not. Most car part places will do this for free.
My battery tested at 12 volts also by just putting the amp meter on it but it did not fail untill put under load. Good luck
My battery tested at 12 volts also by just putting the amp meter on it but it did not fail untill put under load. Good luck
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Sep 2000
Posts: 412
Likes: 34
From: Blairsville....North Georgia Georgia
response to questions posed
1. The battery is approx. 3+/- years old
2. mileage on battery is approx. 15K miles +/-
3. there have been no draws on it. Just left for 5 1/2 weeks with no driving.
4. I live in Florida so imagine the heat will shorten a life too?
thanks for the replies and assistance
2. mileage on battery is approx. 15K miles +/-
3. there have been no draws on it. Just left for 5 1/2 weeks with no driving.
4. I live in Florida so imagine the heat will shorten a life too?
thanks for the replies and assistance
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Have a local auto parts store check the battery and see if it checks out OK. They usually will do this for no cost.
Drifting
Joined: Feb 2005
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If you don't plan to go another 5-6 weeks before driving it again (in other words, driving it on a regular basis), then I wouldn't worry about it unless you sense a weak starting situation again. After sitting 5-6 weeks, it's going to start up on the weak side the first time, but since it's started up fine since then, chances are good you're ok. Then again, if you're really worried about it, it can't hurt to pull into a parts store that can load test your battery, and put your mind at ease. 
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If you don't plan to go another 5-6 weeks before driving it again (in other words, driving it on a regular basis), then I wouldn't worry about it unless you sense a weak starting situation again. After sitting 5-6 weeks, it's going to start up on the weak side the first time, but since it's started up fine since then, chances are good you're ok. Then again, if you're really worried about it, it can't hurt to pull into a parts store that can load test your battery, and put your mind at ease.
You could always get a battery float charger and put it on it if your going to be gone for any length of time. I have a little "BatteryButler" from one of our supporting vendors, and if I know I'm not going to use the car for 10 days to two weeks, I put the trickle /float charger on it. 
Life Time NCM #2196
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 82,595
Likes: 1,711
From: Converse TX
My 99 is a weekend car now and always stays on a float charger, have had the red top for years and no issues, if yours checks out get a float charger for the times you are not motoring in your Vette
Le Mans Master
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 7,604
Likes: 8
From: Belleville Il
From what I've read ,,sounds like you could use a C-tech charger. It is a multi purpose charger with several handy features. One is it has a pulse phase that can revive some marginal batteries. Two it can be a regular battery charger,,and three from what I've read is one of the best float charger out there,,,goes off when charged,,and trickle charges when it detects a voltage drop below a certain level. Not an issue for me as I drive mine almost every day,,but sounds like you could use it!!
Pro
Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 564
Likes: 1
From: Moyock NC
It would be interesting to know how old the battery is. You should have the battery tested under load which tells you if the battery needs to be replaced or not. Most car part places will do this for free.
My battery tested at 12 volts also by just putting the amp meter on it but it did not fail untill put under load. Good luck
My battery tested at 12 volts also by just putting the amp meter on it but it did not fail untill put under load. Good luck
It can read 12V but not have the amps needed try to get it tested under a load. Auto parts store will do it.