[Z06] Battery Issues
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Nov 2002
Posts: 230
Likes: 0
From: Great White North
Battery Issues
My car was sitting for about a week since I last drove it. Went to move it last night and nothing. Put a charger on the battery and the battery won't take a charge. 
Is this common? The car only has 8000 miles on it. Looks like I will be purchasing a battery, any recommendations?
Thanks,
Is this common? The car only has 8000 miles on it. Looks like I will be purchasing a battery, any recommendations?Thanks,
Instructor
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 238
Likes: 0
From: Wilmington NC
Re: Battery Issues (TLM)
Yes, this is way too common (do a search).
I'd recommend getting a new battery. However, don't just get any type of battery; Make sure that you get a completely SEALED type that can't leak acid all over the computer. (The Optima Red Top seems to be one of the most popular after market batteries for the C5).
I'd recommend getting a new battery. However, don't just get any type of battery; Make sure that you get a completely SEALED type that can't leak acid all over the computer. (The Optima Red Top seems to be one of the most popular after market batteries for the C5).
Advanced
Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 59
Likes: 0
From: Stow Ohio
Re: Battery Issues (TLM)
Replace the battery as soon as you can. I would get the optima red top. My first vet was a 2k coupe, the battery leaked down on the wiring harness and the PCM. To repair it, the dealer had to replace all three main wiring harnesses. It took 2 techs 6 days to remove and replace the harnesses... they connect to EVERYTHING in the the car. Thank God for a good warrenty program ! I just bought a 2004 Z06, it has a new red top in it now (<4000 miles).... Good luck !
Team Owner
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 28,738
Likes: 41
From: Frankenstein never scared me. Marsupials do, because they're fassst…and they DART, THAT'S crazy!
St. Jude Donor '03 thru '25
Re: Battery Issues (TLM)
Forget the Optima Red Top and get the Optima Yellow Top. The Red Top is not a deep cycle battery like the Yellow Top is and if you have trouble with keeping a battery charged (and it sounds like you do) then a Yellow Top is certainly what you need. A deep cycle battery not only takes much longer to discharge it is designed to be recharged over and over again without getting damaged like a regular cell battery would be.
Advanced
Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 59
Likes: 0
From: Stow Ohio
Re: Battery Issues (Z06_CA)
GM should replace your battery for no charge if you car is still under warranty.
Race Director
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 10,649
Likes: 31
From: Central Florida
Re: Battery Issues (TLM)
Mine died with no warning and refused to take a jump or a charge.
The oem Z06 light weight battery has a high failure rate.
So its replacement is a normal warranty item for Chevy.
Lot of folks avoid the Chevy replacement entirely and go instead for the Optima Red Top, which, from posts here, is reliable.
Ranger
The oem Z06 light weight battery has a high failure rate.
So its replacement is a normal warranty item for Chevy.
Lot of folks avoid the Chevy replacement entirely and go instead for the Optima Red Top, which, from posts here, is reliable.
Ranger
Instructor
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 203
Likes: 0
From: Orlando FL
Re: Battery Issues (TLM)
My '01 Coupe battery "blew up" when turning on the ignition. Thank goodness the hood was open ( except the whol,e in my drywall ceiling. I had charged my dead battery for 12 hours at 2 amps. '01 batteries and newer are dry cell Chevrolet replaced battery, paid the tow, and detailed the car under warrenty. I say get the warrenty battery replacment, buy a yellow top and use the new Delco in somthing else. Just do not charge it , get rid of it.
I traded my '01 for an '04 Z06 two weeks ago, lovin' life
I traded my '01 for an '04 Z06 two weeks ago, lovin' life
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Le Mans Master
Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 7,096
Likes: 153
From: "Atlanta" Ga.
Re: Battery Issues (_Nomad_)
Forget the Optima Red Top and get the Optima Yellow Top. The Red Top is not a deep cycle battery like the Yellow Top is and if you have trouble with keeping a battery charged (and it sounds like you do) then a Yellow Top is certainly what you need. A deep cycle battery not only takes much longer to discharge it is designed to be recharged over and over again without getting damaged like a regular cell battery would be.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 2,233
Likes: 5
Re: Battery Issues (CAPN17)
The red top has more CCA's than the yellow. In a cold Pa. winter the yellow top let me down after sitting for about two weeks on a very cold morning. I switched to the red and it really cranked and never let me down. There has been a lot of posts about battery education. I will be putting a red top in my 04Z. Experienced talking here. 
Le Mans Master
Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 7,096
Likes: 153
From: "Atlanta" Ga.
Re: Battery Issues (skip89)
The red top has more CCA's than the yellow. In a cold Pa. winter the yellow top let me down after sitting for about two weeks on a very cold morning. I switched to the red and it really cranked and never let me down. There has been a lot of posts about battery education. I will be putting a red top in my 04Z. Experienced talking here.
Safety Car
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 4,273
Likes: 1
From: Pittsford NY
Re: Battery Issues (TLM)
My car was sitting for about a week since I last drove it. Went to move it last night and nothing. Put a charger on the battery and the battery won't take a charge. Is this common? The car only has 8000 miles on it. Looks like I will be purchasing a battery, any recommendations?
Thanks,
Is this common? The car only has 8000 miles on it. Looks like I will be purchasing a battery, any recommendations?Thanks,
The posts suggesting that you need a new battery are good ones and
may be correct. However if you have an AGM battery have you
successfully used this battery charger on it before? Some older battery
chargers will not charge an AGM battery.
Team Owner
Joined: Sep 1999
Posts: 20,054
Likes: 44
From: Swansea IL
Re: Battery Issues (TLM)
I noticed the battery in my Z looks smaller than my 99. If I replace batteries how much weight difference is there between the OEM and say a Optima RED TOP. Also since I have a custom battery cover doesn't the REP TOP come with top posts too? How would I use my current cover that stickes on with velcro?
Tom
[Modified by AFVETTE, 8:05 PM 6/9/2004]
Tom
[Modified by AFVETTE, 8:05 PM 6/9/2004]
Melting Slicks
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 2,233
Likes: 5
Re: Battery Issues (Gonzo)
Right, not a daily driver. It sits for weeks in the winter. The Red has more CCA's and will hold the charge and make the engine jump to a start. The yellow will let you keep running it down and charging it, over and over, maybe if you play a big stereo or something without the enginr running. If you want one that will start it on a cold day after sitting a couple of weeks go Red Top. Thats my experience.. 
Le Mans Master
Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 7,096
Likes: 153
From: "Atlanta" Ga.
Re: Battery Issues (skip89)
Right, not a daily driver. It sits for weeks in the winter. The Red has more CCA's and will hold the charge and make the engine jump to a start. The yellow will let you keep running it down and charging it, over and over, maybe if you play a big stereo or something without the enginr running. If you want one that will start it on a cold day after sitting a couple of weeks go Red Top. Thats my experience..
If it approaches 40 degrees and they predict any snow, even flurrys, evrything closes 
Yellow may be what I need then, Thanks
Instructor
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 238
Likes: 0
From: Wilmington NC
Re: Battery Issues (AFVETTE)
If your under warranty I'd get the dealer to install a new battery.
