Just curious how many people have had this issue? Not only the leaking, but up to the point where the wiring harness was destroyed. I did a search but didn't see any posts regarding this issue.

Deetch

 

Do a search for acid in the topic of archived topics. You'll find the info I was talking about.

 

Usually leaking from the positive terminal...

Urban legend is that the factory robot overtightens the positive terminal on the assembly line and cracks the battery casing... Dozens, maybe hundreds of us have had this problem.

Apparently, the negitive terminal is tightened by hand and is less likely to leak.

It's important to check your battery.. You cannot see this in the early stages unless you remove the positive terminal and inspect closely. Mine looked fine until I went to replace it. Acid actually started to trickle out the hole when I removed the terminal!

Most replace with a Optima battery (gel cell).. A small but persistant group claim the Delco AGM (standard on some 2001, and all 2002s I think) fixes the problem.

Good luck,

 

Thanks guys. Sorry I forgot to search archived posts. My bad. I just got off the phone with the service guy though and so far the damage is the 1 wiring harness, but he did confirm the PCM is dead too. This is not going to be fun...

Deetch

 

Happened to me. It corroded all the connectors. But took about a year for things to show up. And then during one week, a different light would show up in the dash.

It is an expensive repair if not under warranty. 1.5K to 2K

 

There is a condition known as positive plate growth whicn can be found on a battery that is seldom used or old.Since there are no caps or pods on the battery top a hydrometer reading cannot be readily done. Positive plate growth is sulfate which collects on positive plates and puts pressure on the positive terminal.This eventually breaks the seal causing the leak.
The best way to check the sulfate status is to drill a 1/4 inch hole in the top of the battery and take hydrometer reading.To drill the hole,one must be sure to enter a cell
correctly without hitting the partition between cells. A sure
way to stay out of trouble,is use an end cell;go tothe center of the battery on outside edge and move in 1 inch,and drill about 3/16 deep.
Now a hydrometer reading can be taken. These highly sulfated batteries will read under 1.200 sg. There will often be swelling on the battery case.Condition can be improved by 2-3 days of low rate charging. When gravity is 1.275 you are home free and the hole can be sealed with RTV. Stress will be reduced and battery put back into service.

 

Like others have said, it's a common problem with the delco batteries (non-agm).

 

Happened to me. Had to replace my pcm and battery. Luckily it happened with 3 months left on warranty. Pissed me off though. Go redtop!

 

just had this issue on my 99. ate the vaccumn line-no wiring damage at this point and pcm was fine untouched. the gm tech neutralized the area with baking soda solution and rinsed, dried, painted and rustproofed the area. the vac line repaired. this was 7 weeks out of std warranty and i have a extended gm warranty, but at first the dealer said this would not be covered because battery caused problem and battery is NOT covered under extended warranty. after some "discussion" they decided they would cover under goodwill due to low mileage and 7 weeks out of warranty. but i believe my saving grace was battery was replaced 3 months ago under warranty and i believe, as well as the tech, that the acid was leaked then and never dealt with till now. i feel the dealer was very fair with me and i immediately replace the 3 month old battery with an OPTIMA. this is NOT going to happen to me again! (i had to pay for the optima). dealer also goodwilled the tsb on the headlamp surround plug, tsb's are also not covered under extended warranty. i think i've found a fair and reasonable dealer to deal with. i highly suggest TWO things-1- replace your battery with OPTIMA and make sure you check all tsb's and bulletins BEFORE your warranty runs out. just my .02(also tech told me he has seen at least 15 vettes with this battery issue himself and this dealership has 4 "vette techs") :yesnod: :yesnod: :yesnod:

 

Just a quick update. I want to thank the guys at Capitol Chevy for taking good care of the car while it was in the shop. My service advisor, manager and mechanic did a great job of getting all this taken care (by GM) and I'm a happy camper once again. I will be by Friday afternoon with some beer for you guys. :cheers:

Deetch

 

I had this problem on my 98. I just happened to open the hood at the golf course to show a guy the engine, and I noticed green around the positive battery terminal. Fortunately, not enough acid had leaked to destroy anything under the battery. The next day, I got an Optima, replaced the positve battey cable bolt which was eaten half through by the acid, and cleaned the area real good.

 

Didn't get to the harness but ran down the side of the battery from the positive pole, so a few more months and there would have been trouble.
Replaced with Optima Redtop..... :yesnod:

Tripp

 

mine to, had to remove fender and flush out system but screewed up the vacuum system. GM didn't help because it was out of milage warranty. Tried to argue that what did it have to do with me driving and they said more or less have a good life.

 

The original Delco battery leaked acid on my 1999 C5 coupe at 14,479 miles, damaging items below. It ruined a planned trip, and took three trips to the dealer for a proper repair (under the new car warranty).

Now, at 25,000 miles, I'm beginning to get different DIC messages. I do not belive the dealer PROPERLY repaired all of the damage. I have the GMPP and will probably have to have the dealer begin repairs again.

I have had a lot of problems with my C5 (ordered/purchased new). I am very irritated with the poor quality and reliability.

 

What is the original battery? :eek:

 

delco is the original battery-should replace with optima red top-permanent solution to the problem! :yesnod: :yesnod: :yesnod: :yesnod: