help! battery problem
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Joined: Feb 2005
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From: hudson Nc
help! battery problem
its been about two weeks and some very cold weather since i drove my car last. i've been noticing that if i haven't driven it, that the battery gets pretty weak.. well at this point it was totally dead, as in no interior lights or anything when i open the door, and nothing turning over with key in the ignition. i pull my other vehicle in the garage, jumper cables hooked up, i open the vette door, interior lights on, dic screen responds when i put the key in, when i turn the key it all went dead. i figured it just needed more time to build up. i tried again but this time no juice. is there a fuse i should check? does anybody recognize this?? i know that usually when you hook up the cables you hear the head lights click a few times. after the failed atempt i no longer heard the clicking. what to do??
i dont see any evidence of leaking and appears to have clean connections.
i dont see any evidence of leaking and appears to have clean connections.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 1,156
Likes: 2
From: Arlington VA
Don't risk damaging your car's computer trying to jump a dead battery. You said it was getting weak after sitting for a week or two. If your car is over 3 years old, just go out and purchase a new Optima Red Top and put it in. Problem gone.
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Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 76
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From: hudson Nc
the car is a 99 with an a c delco, which i've noticed is the dreaded battery of problem for many corvettes. does the fact that it didn't show any sign of a charge on my second attempt show that something more than the battery is possibly wrong, or did my first attempt to crank it drain the battery to such an extent that it needs a longer "doner charge." i do intend to get a new battery, i just want to know if this sounds typical or should i be worried? i was hoping to get it cranked so i could drive it to the battery shop.
thanks for the replies. nice to get feedback
thanks for the replies. nice to get feedback
Burning Brakes
Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 1,156
Likes: 2
From: Arlington VA
If you have a 99 with the original GM AC Delco battery in it, you are due for a new one. Start with the easy stuff. Batteries with a weak cell exhibit symptoms like you described above. The GM AGM batteries are notorious for all kinds of electrical gremlins when they start to fail. Batteries that fail internally will not hold a charge and may not work even when jumping from another vehicle if shorted internally. Go down to Auto Zone and pick up an Optima and drop it in. Takes all of about 15 minutes.
Racer
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 479
Likes: 2
From: Hollywood Maryland
I'd also strongly suggest, prior to replacing the battery, you remove the battery tray (easily done, 4 bolts inside the opening.) and look for any electrolyte damage that may have been caused by leakage. I replaced my failing battery and noticed, when I pulled the old one, electrolyte on the tray. I also have the non working HVAC controls. I found about 1 square foot of acid damage to the paint on the frame and my HVAC vacuum lines were destroyed. The wiring seems OK so far. If you find surface damage to the paint, check and clean the whole area under the battery tray, check your wiring harnesses, and check the PCM (large square silverish item that sits down low below the battery tray). You can better get to it by jacking up the car, removing the right wheel and opening the access panel behind the wheel. Clean everything thuroughly prior to buttoning it up. A 50/50 combination of water and baking soda will nuetralize the acid. You may have to repaint the area if there was damage. Good luck.
