Hi folks, since I'm not very knowlegable regarding electrical issues, I hope you don't mind me asking what might seem a dumb question.
I have a feeling my battery is on the outs and I'm going to replace it. It's an OEM AC Delco and it works fine as long as I'm driving the car regularly, otherwise I have to put a charger on it if the car sits for a few weeks. Yesterday, I went to drive the car and when I put it in gear and started rolling the engine quits and the DIC reads "service column lock". I have installed the bypass that I got from COH over a year ago. It did this once before and after charging the battery it was fine, but this time it was after a fresh battery recharge. I have read lots of info on here regarding the column lock issues and read that the voltage of the battery needs to be 12.66 vdc with the car not running and no key in the ignition. I put my voltage meter on the battery terminals with no key in the ignition and it's reading 19.xx-21.xx volts. Is this possible for a 12 volt battery ?
Sorry for what seems like a dumb question The car is a 1999 C5 convertable w/auto. I am going to replace the battery, but i'd like to know how a 12 volt battery can read this high of voltage.

Thanks a bunch,

-Garry

 

Below, you said your Vette is a 1999 model .... I'd say you are well beyond the normal life expectancy if you meant it was the original OEM battery (10 years!) ... replace it ASAP.

That is very strange ... and have never heard of this happening before. Double check your meter setting. What is the voltage across the battery when the car is running?

Again ... just replace that 10 year old battery ASAP ... it is long over due!

 

Your meter is either not set up propely, your reading the wrong scale OR its broken.

No way its reading that high. Your flurting with desaster keeping the DELCO battery in the car. Its a leaker and will puke acid on to the PCM.

That reads $$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$. If I were you I would remove it ASAP and inspect for any signs of earlier acid damage. Is your frame rusting or have white residue on the stuff below the battery. Does your HVAC air blow out of every vent and you cant change the vent output????

 

Thanks for the replies folks.

I just went out and checked it again and it read 12.01 vdc not running and then I checked it running and it read 14.65 vdc. I think my meter is reading accurately because I also checked the battery in another vehicle not running and it read 12.65 vdc. I don't know if this is the original OEM battery, but my guess is it's not, there is no sign of any leaking or corosion at all. I am going to replace it!

Cheers,

-Garry

 

Yeah ... 12.01 volts not running is surely a weak battery. A good battery will sit for 3+ weeks and not go below 12.5 ~ 12.6 volts.

Now it's decision time on exactly what battery to get. I will tell you don't get an Optima ... there are better batteries out there.

 

Zee06, thanks for the advise. I have already decided against the Optima. I was leaning toward the AC delco professional, but no body sells them around here, so I'l now leaning toward the Diehard Gold, it's probably as good as the AC delco professional anyway!

Cheers,

-Garry

 

What ever battery you choose, you need at least 700CCA and 120RC.

 

walmart! Thats all you need. Excellent battery!! I just purchased one for my Jeep and 06 Coupe

 

I put the ACDelco Professional in my Z06 little over a year ago, and it's been a great battery so far. ... after I had gone through 3 Optimas. Check with you local GM dealer ... he should be able to get them.

 

Found a ACdelco professional 786YR locally and installed it last night. It did my heart good to see that everything under the battery is absolutely pristine. No evidence of any leaks, ever...Yay!

Thanks all for your help and advice -Garry

 

Congrats on not finding any leakage, and on replacing the battery with a Delco. This decision should gain you some points if your car is ever judged in a "stock" class.