C5 battery keeps dying
Thread Starter
1st Gear
Joined: Apr 2017
Posts: 1
Likes: 0
C5 battery keeps dying
Let me preface this by saying I am by no means a "car guy". My wife and I were gifted this car by her father. It's a 1998 Corvette with a Lingenfelter 650 in it. The battery is about 6 months old (I can't remember the name but it cost me $265) and I think I've put a grand total of about 200 miles on it. The car only has 22,000 miles on it total. Anyways, if I don't run it at least once a week the battery dies and I have to jump it (happens all the time). I just jumped it and ran it for 50 minutes pretty hard. When I came back I put my charger/maintainer on it and it said 60%. Obviously odd. It then went to Full when I left for the gym. When I came back it was back at 90%. Something is drawing power and I have no idea what. The radio and air conditioner are off. No lights are on in the vehicle. Everything is off as far as I can tell. I could really really use some suggestions. It's driving me insane!!! Any help would be extremely appreciated.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Aug 2013
Posts: 2,491
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St. Jude Donor '15-'16-'17-'18-'19-'20-'21-'22
Melting Slicks
Joined: Sep 2012
Posts: 2,222
Likes: 798
From: Fort Myers Beach Florida
I would fully charge the battery and disconnect it from the car. Go back a day or two later and check the battery voltage or better yet use a load tester if you have one (cheap at Harbor Freight) This will help you determine whether you have a bad battery or a car problem. You wouldn't be the first to have a premature battery failure.
Follow up looking for leakage only after you determine if the battery is good
Follow up looking for leakage only after you determine if the battery is good
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jan 2016
Posts: 2,398
Likes: 768
From: jefferson texas
As posted above, check your battery. I had a near new (2 or 3 weeks old) defective from the factory battery that was causing issues. Replaced battery, problem solved. One other thing, and it sounds silly, check your gauge dimmer control on your dash, if left in the wrong position it can cause a battery drain. Hope you get her done!
Melting Slicks
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 2,989
Likes: 352
From: Carson City Nevada
As posted above, check your battery. I had a near new (2 or 3 weeks old) defective from the factory battery that was causing issues. Replaced battery, problem solved. One other thing, and it sounds silly, check your gauge dimmer control on your dash, if left in the wrong position it can cause a battery drain. Hope you get her done!
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jan 2016
Posts: 2,398
Likes: 768
From: jefferson texas
What I know about anything electrical, computer or anything of that type can comfortably fit inside a thimble. As I recall a forum member suggested that I check the guage/dash dimmer position. On checking I had apparantly moved the switch past the detent and it caused a drain. I cover my car immediately after driving so if lights were on (?) I didn't see it. Moved it back and no more drain. Like I said, sounds silly! Best wishes!
Drifting
Joined: Aug 2014
Posts: 1,402
Likes: 394
From: Virginia
St. Jude Donor '18
What I know about anything electrical, computer or anything of that type can comfortably fit inside a thimble. As I recall a forum member suggested that I check the guage/dash dimmer position. On checking I had apparantly moved the switch past the detent and it caused a drain. I cover my car immediately after driving so if lights were on (?) I didn't see it. Moved it back and no more drain. Like I said, sounds silly! Best wishes!
For the OP:
Also, if the headlight motors are not functioning correctly, this will also drain the battery as the computer is constantly checking to see their position.
Last edited by Sydwayz; Apr 12, 2017 at 10:45 AM.
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Burning Brakes
Joined: Apr 2017
Posts: 1,055
Likes: 104
From: Romeoville, IL
This is what happened to mine. Glove box was jammed shut couldn't see if light was on. Turns out it was I had to pry the glove box open. The previous owner crammed to much stuff in it and jammed the lock.
Bought new battery no issue since.