Battery keeps dying, please help
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Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 75
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From: San Diego CA
Battery keeps dying, please help
My 97 has eaten 2 batteries in 2 months. Each time I find it dead, it is after the car hasn't been driven for a few days. Something seems to be draining it when it is shut down. It was at 2 volts according to my handheld voltmeter. Has anyone had a similar problem? Any ideas? I tried to charge it up with my other car (most I could get it to was 11 volts), now I have power, but the car just clicks when I try to start it. Motor won't crank at all. Please help.
[Modified by Tirpitz, 12:13 AM 9/15/2002]
[Modified by Tirpitz, 12:13 AM 9/15/2002]
Melting Slicks
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 2,248
Likes: 1
From: Newland US
Re: Battery keeps dying, please help (Tirpitz)
Tirpitz,
Sounds like a bad cell as Xssesive mentioned. I suppose the plates could be badly sulfated but usually you can at least get a surface charge higher than 11 volts.
I'd take the battery in for a load test and also I'd would hook an ammeter up to see if you're getting an abnormal current draw when the car is parked.
Good luck.
Mark
[Modified by MDT, 9:27 PM 9/14/2002]
Sounds like a bad cell as Xssesive mentioned. I suppose the plates could be badly sulfated but usually you can at least get a surface charge higher than 11 volts.
I'd take the battery in for a load test and also I'd would hook an ammeter up to see if you're getting an abnormal current draw when the car is parked.
Good luck.
Mark
[Modified by MDT, 9:27 PM 9/14/2002]
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Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 75
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From: San Diego CA
Re: Battery keeps dying, please help (MDT)
The battery tested bad. I have a new one (warranty, battery was only 2 mo old). 12.5v brand new with a handheld voltmeter before install. Car now starts, volt with engine running is 13.5-13.8. As soon as I turned it off, 11.9v. I am starting to suspect something is drawing on it.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Oct 2001
Posts: 2,803
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From: Panama City Beach FL
Re: Battery keeps dying, please help (Xssesive)
Weren't there a few forum members complaining of the battery draining a few months ago? I'm guessing but there was something about the seat motor draining current from the battery.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 2,248
Likes: 1
From: Newland US
Re: Battery keeps dying, please help (Tirpitz)
Tirpitz,
It may be that you have a bad blocking diode in the alternaor, which is allowing the current to bleed off though the alternator. You might remove the wire which connects the alternator to the battery and insert an ammeter in series between that wire and the alternator post that you removed the wire from and see if you have any current flow.
Mark
The battery tested bad. I have a new one (warranty, battery was only 2 mo old). 12.5v brand new with a handheld voltmeter before install. Car now starts, volt with engine running is 13.5-13.8. As soon as I turned it off, 11.9v. I am starting to suspect something is drawing on it.
Mark
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Instructor
Joined: Aug 2002
Posts: 122
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From: Toronto Ontario
Re: Battery keeps dying, please help (Tirpitz)
You don't mention having any, but aftermarket alarms, remote starter and stereo's will drain the battery if the car isn't started every couple of days. Found that out pretty quickly. Take the car to a GM dealer, preferbly one that is familiar with Corvettes and let them run a Parasitic draw test on it.
98 Z28 Camaro, Mystic Teal, A4, Manual Valve Body, SLP Air Lid, SLP Under Hood Ram Air, SLP Loud Mouth, B&M Shift Plus, Eibach 1.8" Sportline Springs, 160 Thermostat, T/B Bypass, Manual Fan Switch, 2.73 Gears (only for a couple more days), 5% Tint, White Face Guages
BEST: (should change next week)
0-60mph: 4.79 sec (G Tech)
1/4 Mile: 13.0 sec @ 107.28mph
MPH: 108.19
COMING SOON:
GM Motive 3.73 Gears & Hypertech Power Programmer (waiting for installation), Vigilante 2800 Stall Converter, LS6 Intake and FLP LT Headers
LOOKING FOR:
00/01 Navy Blue Metallic or Magnetic Red Coupe, Black Interior and FULLY LOADED
98 Z28 Camaro, Mystic Teal, A4, Manual Valve Body, SLP Air Lid, SLP Under Hood Ram Air, SLP Loud Mouth, B&M Shift Plus, Eibach 1.8" Sportline Springs, 160 Thermostat, T/B Bypass, Manual Fan Switch, 2.73 Gears (only for a couple more days), 5% Tint, White Face Guages
BEST: (should change next week)
0-60mph: 4.79 sec (G Tech)
1/4 Mile: 13.0 sec @ 107.28mph
MPH: 108.19
COMING SOON:
GM Motive 3.73 Gears & Hypertech Power Programmer (waiting for installation), Vigilante 2800 Stall Converter, LS6 Intake and FLP LT Headers
LOOKING FOR:
00/01 Navy Blue Metallic or Magnetic Red Coupe, Black Interior and FULLY LOADED