Car Won't Start
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 413
Likes: 9
Car Won't Start
I have a 2004 CE Z06. Yesterday, I tried to start the Z and it wouldn't start. I have about 15600 miles on her and to my knowledge the battery is the original one. Interestingly, I had the car out Saturday and it gave me no problems nor indications that the battery was going.
I was able to jump start it after a long idle with my wife's truck. I tried it again after about 2 hours but it wouldn't even turn over. I did manage to pry the covers off the battery cells to see if there was adequate water in them and it appeared that they were a bit low. Does anyone know if the cells can be filled with tap water or do they need distilled water and would that even make a difference?
Any help would be appreciated
I was able to jump start it after a long idle with my wife's truck. I tried it again after about 2 hours but it wouldn't even turn over. I did manage to pry the covers off the battery cells to see if there was adequate water in them and it appeared that they were a bit low. Does anyone know if the cells can be filled with tap water or do they need distilled water and would that even make a difference?
Any help would be appreciated
Pro
Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 719
Likes: 2
From: Columbia South Carolina
Your battery might have finally bit the dust. Distilled water only should be used. Tap water has some chemicals that could effect the electrolite. Although it could be used in an emergency.
Last edited by Jewjenk; Jun 1, 2010 at 07:44 AM.
Race Director
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 10,179
Likes: 2,306
From: Wesley Chapel, FL Las Vegas, NV
The battery was toast already so no big deal.
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 413
Likes: 9
It was hard by hand, but it came off easily when I used a screw driver. It should be a pretty simple DIY project to replace the battery right? The only bolts that need to be disconnected are the postive, negative, and one bolt at the base which appears to be holding the battery down. Any one know if any codes need to be reset?
Race Director
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 10,179
Likes: 2,306
From: Wesley Chapel, FL Las Vegas, NV
It was hard by hand, but it came off easily when I used a screw driver. It should be a pretty simple DIY project to replace the battery right? The only bolts that need to be disconnected are the postive, negative, and one bolt at the base which appears to be holding the battery down. Any one know if any codes need to be reset?
Disconnect negative 1st then positive. Reconnect in same order.
Be careful with the bolt for the hold down. If you drop it it falls into a black hole under the battery box. Real PIA to retrive.
Race Director
Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 19,304
Likes: 85
From: San Diego CA
Your battery could be 7 years old, so don't feel bad about replacing it. And no, you do not have to buy a super-expensive AGM battery. Almost all non-AGM batteries are very robust and will last a minimum of 5 years under normal conditions. The Costco Kirkland battery, at $60 or so, is an excellent bang-for-the-buck battery. I went with the AC Delco Professional 7-year battery because I got a good deal on it but you can't go wrong with the Costco battery. Heck, even the Walmart MAXX battery will last more than 5 years.
Corvette Stories
The Best of Corvette for Corvette Enthusiasts
150 hp to 1,250 hp: Every Corvette Generation Compared by the Specs That Matter
Joe Kucinski
8 Coolest Corvette Pace Cars (and Replicas) of All Time
Verdad Gallardo
Top 10 Corvette Engines RANKED by Peak Torque (70+ Years of Muscle!)
Joe Kucinski
Corvette ZR1X Will Be Pacing the Indy 500, And Could Probably Race, Too!
Verdad Gallardo
Top 10 Corvettes Coming to Mecum Indy 2026!
Brett Foote
Top 10 C9 Corvette MUST-HAVES to Fix These C8 Generation Flaws!
Michael S. Palmer
10 Revolutionary 'Corvette Firsts' Most People Don't Know
Joe Kucinski
5 Reasons to Upgrade to an LS6-Powered Corvette; 5 Reasons to Stay LT2
Michael S. Palmer
2027 Corvette vs The World: Every C8 vs Its Closest Competitor
Joe Kucinski
Race Director
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 18,681
Likes: 47
From: Reno is so close to Hell you can see Sparks , State Of Confusion
St. Jude Donor '12-'13-'14
When you remove your battery make sure your radio doesn't have the security loc on, If you do I hope you have the code to turn it back on, If not I have the directions on how to get a new code.
Mr.Bill
Mr.Bill
Burning Brakes
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 1,028
Likes: 33
From: GRAYSLAKE IL
Oldtimer
St. Jude Donor '13
I suggest picking up a battery mat that you put under the battery. Also if your radio has the theft code set do you know it? I got one of the 9 volt deals that you plug into the cigarette lighter b-4 you unhook the battery so you don't lose any codes. If your battery was completely dead its no issue now. The battery mat is in case the battery leaks which was a problem area with early C-5's. Good luck!
Pro
Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 530
Likes: 2
From: Havasu, AZ
battery
I chose the red top optima. Looks nice in there. They come with a tray affair meant to go underneath, but I cut the tabs off this tray and it clips onto the top of the battery and hides the extra terminals...looks good.
AL
AL
Melting Slicks
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 2,938
Likes: 65
From: Rochester Hills MI
i have had plenty of super starts, delcos, and duralast batteries that lasted longer than 7 years. using a tender or daily driving on a cheap battery works every bit as good as an optima. the cheaper batteries might not last 20 years, but why pay 3 times as much for a battery that only lasts twice as long? you would be better off spending 5 minutes to replace the battery once every 8 years, thats if you even have the car for that long. it just does not make financial sense to buy the optima. you get more for your money with the cheaper batteries.
Last edited by SaberD; Jun 1, 2010 at 04:47 PM.
Pro
Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 530
Likes: 2
From: Havasu, AZ
My car had a Motorcraft battery. This seeming like blasphemy, and the fact that it died, I replaced it. Since I noticed that there was considerable leakage evidence from one batt or another, I went with the Optima. Follow some of the batt threads and read the horror stories from battery leakage, and you will buy the Optima. Its not worth the chance.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 2,431
Likes: 3
From: Iowa City Iowa
In "the day" batteries tapered off slowly and you had a warning that they were coming to the end of their productive life. Today, the battery starts the car perfectly as you head for the movie, however, after the movie your car won't even turn over and your stranded. So what your experiencing is pretty dang normal.
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 413
Likes: 9
I went with the AC Delco put it in the car last Wednesday and it fired up nicely
...Well my bubble got burst today. Since installing the battery Wednesday, I go out to the garage this afternoon to start it....and to my shock, it wouldn't turn over ...so it must be something besides the battery.....so I'll have to jump start it Monday and schlep it down to the dealership.....
Anyone have any other ideas what could possibly be wrong?
...Well my bubble got burst today. Since installing the battery Wednesday, I go out to the garage this afternoon to start it....and to my shock, it wouldn't turn over ...so it must be something besides the battery.....so I'll have to jump start it Monday and schlep it down to the dealership.....
Anyone have any other ideas what could possibly be wrong?
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 413
Likes: 9
Did you tighten the battery cables? Yes
Do you know how to pull the codes? No If so pull them and post them here including the H or C at the end of the code. If not read this and then pull and post the codes:
http://www.c5forum.com/ayc/dtcdic.php
You may have something that is draining the battery. Common problem.
Do you know how to pull the codes? No If so pull them and post them here including the H or C at the end of the code. If not read this and then pull and post the codes:
http://www.c5forum.com/ayc/dtcdic.php
You may have something that is draining the battery. Common problem.
Safety Car
Joined: Feb 2001
Posts: 3,725
Likes: 53
From: Warrington Pa.
Are you sure the new battery was 100% charged? I would put it on a battery tender till it was fully charged. Check both connections, make sure the vanity lights, glove box light, are not on.
