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I'm thinking about changing out my battery because it's getting old and the car appears to have difficulty starting after sitting a few days. I'm new to Corvettes but I know they are full of electronics and computerization settings. Do I need a battery memory saver if I disconnect the battery? If so, what do you guys recommend. I have a Lisle that connects to the positive and negative cables and has a light on it, then you plug in a 9Volt battery. Do these work?
Unless the Theftlock is enabled on the factory radio there is very little that you will loose by disconnecting the battery to replace it. Worst case would be the radio presets if you have any. I don't even loose those when i disconnect the battery.
If the radio Theftlock is enabled just be certain you have the pass code to re-enable the radio after the battery swap.
Thanks, is there a way of checking if the theftlock is enabled or not? I recently purchased the car, so I wouldn't know what the passcode is anyways?
Before knowing about the blinking light, I search and found the following instructions just in case the radio was in the security mode in my newly purchase 04 that needed a battery replacement. I did not have to use the instructions so I do not know if they are correct.
01. Turn the ignition ON (The radio displays LOC)
02. Hold down the Radio Presets 2 and 3 buttons for six seconds
03. The radio display changes from LOC to a three-digit number. Write this number down. Don’t take forever, fifteen seconds max before the next step.
04. Press the AM/FM button
05. The radio display changes to another three-digit number. Write this number to the right of the first one.
06. You now have a six-digit number, the first three digits are from STEP 03 and the last three digits are form STEP 05
09. Press 620529 then # (pound). You will be asked to enter your four or six digit code followed by * (star) [IF THE "620529" doesn't work, try 206053, 202107, 106010 or 202108.]
10. Enter the number from STEP 6 then * (star)
11. Listen to the four-digit number and write it down. It will be repeated twice
12. Turn the ignition ON (The radio displays LOC)
13. Use the MN and HR buttons to enter the code from STEP 11
14. Press the AM/FM button. The radio display changes to SEC
Your radio is now “un-locked” and usable. The Theft-Deterrent feature is STILL active! If you want to disable it, use the instruction on page 3-27 in your Y2K Owner’s manual. Use the code from STEP 11 instead of your personal code.
I went out late last night and noticed the red led light does flash on my radio. Thus, I'm assuming the radio is enabled. My battery is not dead yet but I know it's coming up in the near future. I also have a Lisle Memory Saver. It basically has two battery clips, (red+ and black-) Once connected to the terminals, a light on the end of the terminals lights up, at this point you can connect a 9V battery (square ones). According to instructions, you can remove the battery cables without locking your radio losing other memory devices on the car. I haven't tried it yet, and it seems kinda odd that a 9V battery would keep the memory alive on a car? Has anyone tried this method? I appreciate the information on unlocking the radio. My other option is to just buy another radio and upgrade. Here is picture of the memory saver:
That 9 VDC battery wil work IF,, you dont have any loads on the system.. Thats TOUGH to do on a C5.
Why dont you just do this:
Get a set of JUMPER CABLES and jump the battery of another car to the B+ connection on the Engine Fuse Box and Chassis ground;
I have seen some of the 9v "memory savers" advertised in the various Corvette accessory mags and they say not to use them on a C5. There is enough voltage drain in these cars that will very quickly kill the little battery and 9v may not even be enough to retain the settings.
Besides the jumper cables, a jumper box can also be used. And you can leave either one connected for a long time.
I've heard a 9V battery will work but I'd think the car would have to be in sleep mode to use it. So you'd have to open the hood and close the doors and then let it sit at least 20 minutes without disturbing it. I'd connect the clips to the post Bill shows and the engine block because the likelyhood of maintaining a good connection on the battery cables while you're removing them is slim to nil.
If you want to know it'll be OK for sure then jumper another battery like Bill suggests and make damn sure you don't touch the positive battery cable to the negative cable or to ground. It really wouldn't be too bad because there is a lot of plastic around the battery.
battery memory saver
Here is picture of the memory saver:
I have seen some of the 9v "memory savers" advertised in the various Corvette accessory mags and they say not to use them on a C5. There is enough voltage drain in these cars that will very quickly kill the little battery and 9v may not even be enough to retain the settings.
