Electrical Issue :(
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 42
Likes: 0
From: Camp Hill PA
Electrical Issue :(
So i have an 04 C5 Z06 that is bone stock. I was about to run some errands but when i went to start the vette she didnt even turn over. when i looked again, the gauges and display bar had no response either. I got a jump from my neighbor and discovered my battery was fully drained. It took about 5 minutes to get enough charge to start up and when i looked at my battery voltage it was at an average 13.9v. as i drove around town this number decreaced to 13.2v in a rather short period. I am rather confused as the lights were not left on aswell as anything else. I drove my vette to work yesterday and had no issues. could it be a fuse or a shot alternator? Thanks.
Tech Contributor
Joined: Dec 1999
Posts: 32,910
Likes: 2,402
From: Anthony TX
CI 6,7,8,9,11 Vet
St. Jude Donor '08
Start at the battery connections, Make sure that ther clean and tight. I would have the battery fully tested and make sure that it has the proper CCA. They can also test the alternator output but,,, I seriously doubt thats your issue.
Bill
Bill
Pro
Joined: Jul 2002
Posts: 718
Likes: 3
From: Mason Mi
I know the computer, theft detterent, etc, create some drain. How do you check to see if it's excessive?
Pro
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 545
Likes: 4
From: Calgary Alberta
In order to test the dark current load your battery experiences you need to use a current meter in series with either battey wire. If you need to ask how to do that it's probably not something you should be doing yourself because of the potential hazards.
If your battery cannot maintain it's charge over a several week period you either have excessive loads or a bad battery. The best thing to do in this situation is to have both the battery and alternator tested. While the voltages in this case sound reasonable the alternator may not be charging to full capacity because of faulty diodes.
Testing both items on a test stand at your local parts store will prove or eliminate both devices.
If they both test okay then the fun starts!
If your battery cannot maintain it's charge over a several week period you either have excessive loads or a bad battery. The best thing to do in this situation is to have both the battery and alternator tested. While the voltages in this case sound reasonable the alternator may not be charging to full capacity because of faulty diodes.
Testing both items on a test stand at your local parts store will prove or eliminate both devices.
If they both test okay then the fun starts!
Tech Contributor
Joined: Dec 1999
Posts: 32,910
Likes: 2,402
From: Anthony TX
CI 6,7,8,9,11 Vet
St. Jude Donor '08
Its fairly simple. Disconnect the "NEGATIVE" battery cable and insert a DC Amp meter in SERIES between the battery and battery cable.
When you initially connect the meter, you will see approx 8 amps. Then the BCM will shed off loads and drop into security mode where the current will drop off to approx 20 Milliamps.
BC
When you initially connect the meter, you will see approx 8 amps. Then the BCM will shed off loads and drop into security mode where the current will drop off to approx 20 Milliamps.
BC
Pro
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 545
Likes: 4
From: Calgary Alberta
A word of caution, please ensure your meter is the type that has the current selection fused and if it's not a quality Fluke meter that will alert you to incorrect lead connection check twice to be sure you have selected the right position, amps, before proceeding.
Life can be over in a flash!
http://www.westex.com/mediabase/en/s...Flash84cal.mpg
Life can be over in a flash!
http://www.westex.com/mediabase/en/s...Flash84cal.mpg
Last edited by PEERPSI; Oct 30, 2010 at 07:56 PM.
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