charging issue
Thread Starter
Pro
Joined: Jul 2011
Posts: 642
Likes: 23
From: Righteous Side of Hell
charging issue
99 c5 82k miles
My battery is about a year old. It was working great at the start of the summer. I took a ride to CT about 1.5 hours each way. On my way back it didn't crank strong like it usually does but it turned over. I got home and parked it. In the morning it was dead. I called AAA and they tested everything and said the battery and alternator were good. No draw on the battery either. I got it jumped and drove to work and back home about 1 hour each way. In the morning the same thing happened. AAA wont replace the battery because their machine said the battery was good. I called the other day to get a jump because i had to move it from its spot and now the headlights wont open while running.
Any ideas whats going on?
TLDR - battery wont hold charge and headlights wont open while running.
My battery is about a year old. It was working great at the start of the summer. I took a ride to CT about 1.5 hours each way. On my way back it didn't crank strong like it usually does but it turned over. I got home and parked it. In the morning it was dead. I called AAA and they tested everything and said the battery and alternator were good. No draw on the battery either. I got it jumped and drove to work and back home about 1 hour each way. In the morning the same thing happened. AAA wont replace the battery because their machine said the battery was good. I called the other day to get a jump because i had to move it from its spot and now the headlights wont open while running.
Any ideas whats going on?
TLDR - battery wont hold charge and headlights wont open while running.
Drifting
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 1,737
Likes: 349
From: Layton Utah
If it were me, I would first get a second opinion on the battery. It appears it started when you jumped it so I would make sure of the battery before I did anything else.
You will also want to check the dic for any codes. You can do a search of the forum for instructions if you haven't done this before. If you will post the codes here you will get further advice on how to proceed. Good luck on tracking down the issue.
You will also want to check the dic for any codes. You can do a search of the forum for instructions if you haven't done this before. If you will post the codes here you will get further advice on how to proceed. Good luck on tracking down the issue.
Team Owner
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 21,325
Likes: 3,841
From: small town in S.E Pa. PA
St. Jude Donor '03-'04
More than likely, the positive wire from the battery to the starter, is either loose at the solenoid, or corroded. This was a common problem in the field. the loose connection gives false positives when tested. as the motor heats up around the started and close to the exhaust manifold, it becomes an intermittent connection. It would be the first place I would look, clean and retighten.
Last edited by Evil-Twin; Oct 24, 2015 at 09:57 PM.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 2,136
Likes: 139
From: Port St Lucie Florida
One day my vehicle just shut down on the highway. Steering almost locked and brakes where stiff. Turns out the starter latterly melted from the post. Had to get it towed. Put in a new starter cleaned the grounds much better, now just trying to get the volts back up to 13.
They stay around 12 when warmed up.
They stay around 12 when warmed up.
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Thanks for the recommendation E-T. No problem yet, but will keep your response in a file for future reference.
Team Owner
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 21,325
Likes: 3,841
From: small town in S.E Pa. PA
St. Jude Donor '03-'04
Thread Starter
Pro
Joined: Jul 2011
Posts: 642
Likes: 23
From: Righteous Side of Hell
no, no sounds except when the charger goes on i can hear some computer clicking on.ya i check the connections to the battery and they are nice and tight.
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Burning Brakes
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 945
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From: Uniondale IN
St. Jude Donor '14-'15-'16
Did you do like ET said. Check battery cable at the STARTER, not just at the battery? I just went through the head lights now opening when I was driving. Replaced the battery and everything is happy again.
Team Owner
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 22,167
Likes: 4,172
From: Kannapolis NC
One day my vehicle just shut down on the highway. Steering almost locked and brakes where stiff. Turns out the starter latterly melted from the post. Had to get it towed. Put in a new starter cleaned the grounds much better, now just trying to get the volts back up to 13.
They stay around 12 when warmed up.
They stay around 12 when warmed up.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Mar 2011
Posts: 6,835
Likes: 302
From: Columbia SC
I bet AAA did not do a load test on the battery. If not, take it to an auto store and have them load test it. If you can jumper the battery and start the car that would be the first thing I would check.
Had that exact thing happen with the 1 year old Bosch battery in my Wife's Lexus this summer. Bad battery.
Mr. Sam
Had that exact thing happen with the 1 year old Bosch battery in my Wife's Lexus this summer. Bad battery.
Mr. Sam