Battery Draw
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 313
Likes: 0
From: Bloomsburg Pa
Battery Draw
My car sat for a week and the battery died. It wasn't cold, so that wasn't an issue. Here's what I did...jump started the car. I let it idle for three hours, since I wasn't at work or near a charger. Then drove the car for a while. three days later I start it, slow starting, and drove an hour to work. The whole time the DIC said that the volts were at 14.5 or 14.6. When I got to work, the the battery still had a black eye, not green, and did have a charge of 12.4 volts. When I disconnected the battery and checked for a draw, there was an 11.4 volt draw. The milliamp portion of the tester wasn't working, so I couldn't tell what milliamp draw there was. Is an 11.4 VOLT draw normal or is it just time to replace the battery? The battery is only 3 years old and I do know that there have been some battery issues. My warranty expires in March and I don't want to just replace a battery if there really is a draw.
Safety Car
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 4,933
Likes: 30
From: San Rafael CA
Yes, it is normal for the Corvette to draw power when off. For example, when you turn off hte car the radio receiver (RFA) that gets the signal from your key fob has to stay on as it doesn't "know" when you'll return to the car. Also the computer (BCM) that manages the SECURITY system also is on ... and that same computer is the one that orders the doors to unlock after the RFA has passed it the key fob signal.
A 3 year old battery is probably getting to be borderline, so if you can get it replaced under warranty (The AC Delco batteries have their own warranty) then I'd get it replaced soon.
A 3 year old battery is probably getting to be borderline, so if you can get it replaced under warranty (The AC Delco batteries have their own warranty) then I'd get it replaced soon.
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 313
Likes: 0
From: Bloomsburg Pa
I understand that the car still draws voltage when not running...for the radio and security and other things, but what I'm asking is if an 11.4 volt draw is excessive or is that normal considering that it's only a 12 volt system.
Intermediate
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 36
Likes: 0
From: Royersford PA
I have a 99 and had to replace my battery after three years or so. I was experiencing much of the same trouble, however, my car would sit for longer periods than one week. Since replacing the battery, I have been using a Battery Tender. No problems since.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 2,857
Likes: 2
From: pawleys island sc
the car dosen't "draw" voltage, it "draws" current measured in amps or milliamps. 11.4 volts means nothing. spend $15 and get a multi meter with a DC ampmeter. Connect it in series with your negative battery cable , make sure all the lights, including the under hood light, ar off, wait till the "draw" stabilizes and see what it's drawing - your looking for about 20 ma.
Pro
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 552
Likes: 0
From: Alton Illinois
do you mean you are reading accross the battery (+.-) with the car off and it is registering 11.4 volts? if so, the battery is definitely bad as you should be reading at least 13.5-14 volts on a strong battery. me thinks you have a weak battery!
jim
jim
Last edited by bluvette79; Jan 11, 2007 at 03:40 PM.
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