Battery Drain
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: Feb 2002
Posts: 35
Likes: 0
From: Creston Ca
Battery Drain
My 03 ZO6 Ended up with a dead battery Monday. I charged it full, It started fine then it was dead again the next morn. Figured bad battery (Red Top 8 months old).
I put in another fully charged red top from the other car, started it everything was fine (It turned over quick and easy) Well it was completely dead the next morning. Not even a dash light.
I did notice that when I replaced the battery that there was quite a spark when hooking up the positive cable. The key was not on so this seemed odd. The car has 20,000 miles not driven in rain, snow etc.
Anyone have any ideas?
I am also searching for a good extended warrranty for this car. The warranty was up last month so can't use G.M. I would like to hear from anyone with suggestions on a good company.
Any thoughts on these subjects would be appreciated.
I put in another fully charged red top from the other car, started it everything was fine (It turned over quick and easy) Well it was completely dead the next morning. Not even a dash light.
I did notice that when I replaced the battery that there was quite a spark when hooking up the positive cable. The key was not on so this seemed odd. The car has 20,000 miles not driven in rain, snow etc.
Anyone have any ideas?
I am also searching for a good extended warrranty for this car. The warranty was up last month so can't use G.M. I would like to hear from anyone with suggestions on a good company.
Any thoughts on these subjects would be appreciated.
Last edited by 87gn; Jan 26, 2006 at 01:02 PM.
Racer
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 375
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From: Montreal Drive it like you test it !
I would start to remove the fuses one by one and check how many amps is drained from the battery. You may need a high capacity ammeter since you saw a big spark when you reconnected the battery. Set it up to 10-20 amp first. C5 should not drain more than 30 milliamp. It could also be caused by a faulty aftermarket remote starter or antitheft system.
If removing the fused does not isolate the problem, that means that it could come from a circuit witch is hot all the time. I.e. head light. Most of the time, there is a wire that goes from the battery to the starter solenoid. A hot wire starts from there and provide power to some accessories. You disconnect that wire and check if battery still drains.
Well, you can start by pulling fuses one by one on the passenger foot well and under hood fuse panel.
on a side note, I saw two posts of C5 draining batteries because the interior light were always on. Please check on dark garage.
If removing the fused does not isolate the problem, that means that it could come from a circuit witch is hot all the time. I.e. head light. Most of the time, there is a wire that goes from the battery to the starter solenoid. A hot wire starts from there and provide power to some accessories. You disconnect that wire and check if battery still drains.
Well, you can start by pulling fuses one by one on the passenger foot well and under hood fuse panel.
on a side note, I saw two posts of C5 draining batteries because the interior light were always on. Please check on dark garage.
Tech Contributor
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 19,384
Likes: 87
From: Horncastle Lincolnshire, England
2023 C5 of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
Originally Posted by vette747
........on a side note, I saw two posts of C5 draining batteries because the interior light were always on. Please check on dark garage.
Racer
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 375
Likes: 0
From: Montreal Drive it like you test it !
Originally Posted by DragMan
mine done that and if I unplugged Dr seat it would stop.
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Drifting
Joined: Mar 1999
Posts: 1,250
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From: Greensboro NC
Originally Posted by DragMan
mine done that and if I unplugged Dr seat it would stop.
Racer
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 351
Likes: 0
From: Haw River North Carolina
Originally Posted by Alex D
Seat switches have often been a problem in these cars. Would check a little closer and see if any of them are warm to the touch or unhook all of them then one-per-day re-connect them and see if teh drain occurs again
Had this exact issue with my passenger seat. The deflate side of the lower lumbar switch had failed and was constantly on. Switch felt perfectly normal, had spring action, clicked when pushed, etc.... Knew something was really wrong when I touched the lumbar control board and it nearly burnt my hand.
New switch pack ($100 @ the local stealership) and no more dead batteries.
Good luck with yours! Hope you find it before she eats another battery.
Advanced
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 56
Likes: 0
Originally Posted by Lovin It!!! - C5
Had this exact issue with my passenger seat. The deflate side of the lower lumbar switch had failed and was constantly on. Switch felt perfectly normal, had spring action, clicked when pushed, etc.... Knew something was really wrong when I touched the lumbar control board and it nearly burnt my hand.
New switch pack ($100 @ the local stealership) and no more dead batteries.
Good luck with yours! Hope you find it before she eats another battery.
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: Feb 2002
Posts: 35
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From: Creston Ca
Well, I have pulled all the fuses and still the same. This is a very large spark and the problem is draining a fully charged battery overnight. I was hoping it would be something like the seat ( Drivers only is power-no Lumbar ) pulled the fuses no change. Everything in the car works as normal and it starts right up with a charged battery. No messages on the dash. The more suggestions the better. Thanks to all & keep them coming. The ZO6 has a bit over 20,000 miles on it and is garaged, no rain, still smells and looks like new.
Racer
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 375
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From: Montreal Drive it like you test it !
I never had similar problem on my C5, but since you have not got any other reply or suggestion, let me try to help.
Did you check if they are any codes? When you removed all the fuses I assumed you also removed the fuses from the passenger foot well. Next, I would try to remove the micro and mini relay. Sometimes they are difficult to remove but they come out. You can also try to disconnect the two red wires from the alternator.
Did you check if they are any codes? When you removed all the fuses I assumed you also removed the fuses from the passenger foot well. Next, I would try to remove the micro and mini relay. Sometimes they are difficult to remove but they come out. You can also try to disconnect the two red wires from the alternator.
