Delco Battery Issues - Other Options?
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Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 85
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From: Arlington TX
Delco Battery Issues - Other Options?
I have had tremendous bad luck with the Delco 75PS battery in recent years. It seems they last for 1-1/2 to 2 years or so and they go bad.
The current one I have, which was replaced under warranty back in July 2015, will go dead if I don't at least start the car every two to three weeks. If its been a couple of weeks, it's hard to start but usually "barely" turns over. Once it starts and I drive the car around, it seems to be good until it sits for a while.
I can't confirm if I have a drain somewhere, but there are no lights that stay on, no power seats running, or no relays that I can hear after sitting in the car after power is off and shutting doors.
Since this current battery is once again giving me issues, I'm thinking about replacing with a different battery. What other batteries should I consider for a stock C-5? Does anyone else have these type of issues?
The current one I have, which was replaced under warranty back in July 2015, will go dead if I don't at least start the car every two to three weeks. If its been a couple of weeks, it's hard to start but usually "barely" turns over. Once it starts and I drive the car around, it seems to be good until it sits for a while.
I can't confirm if I have a drain somewhere, but there are no lights that stay on, no power seats running, or no relays that I can hear after sitting in the car after power is off and shutting doors.
Since this current battery is once again giving me issues, I'm thinking about replacing with a different battery. What other batteries should I consider for a stock C-5? Does anyone else have these type of issues?
Le Mans Master
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 8,812
Likes: 2,029
From: eastern NC
I have to agree with 8VETTE7, it really does sound as if you have a parasitic drag at least contributing to your problem. I am no fan of AC Delco batteries any longer, but I would get out the amp meter.
The idea of checking the car out in the dark is a good one. I found that the light in my HVAC control panel was staying lit, and would likely have missed it except for walking by the car at night in the garage.
If your current draw is below 30 milliamperes after everything goes to "sleep" (it takes a few minutes for this to occur), I would recommend either the Odyssey or an Interstate. Both make a terrific AGM battery.
Good luck... GUSTO
The idea of checking the car out in the dark is a good one. I found that the light in my HVAC control panel was staying lit, and would likely have missed it except for walking by the car at night in the garage.
If your current draw is below 30 milliamperes after everything goes to "sleep" (it takes a few minutes for this to occur), I would recommend either the Odyssey or an Interstate. Both make a terrific AGM battery.
Good luck... GUSTO
Last edited by GUSTO14; Jan 21, 2017 at 07:38 AM. Reason: Sp
Team Owner
Joined: Dec 1999
Posts: 34,873
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From: Lacey WA RVN 68-69
NCM Sinkhole Donor
Do you park the car where you can hook up a battery maintainer? Most C5 owners will connect a maintainer if the car is going to sir for 2-3 weeks without being used. I use a Deltran Battery Tender Junior on my C5 and even when the car sits for 2-3 months, it will start immediately. CTEK is another good battery maintainer to use.
Too many drain/charge cycles can be tough on a battery. I'll bet that your battery has a bad cell from that cycling. Have you had the battery load tested? Can't hurt to do that. A good shop will fully charge the battery then perform a load test. The car's alternator is not really designed to completely recharge a battery.
When I bought my '02 back in 2005, it had a AC Delco battery in it. I finally had to replace it in 2012 and I bought an Interstate MegaTron Plus battery and that one is still in the car (and working great
).
Too many drain/charge cycles can be tough on a battery. I'll bet that your battery has a bad cell from that cycling. Have you had the battery load tested? Can't hurt to do that. A good shop will fully charge the battery then perform a load test. The car's alternator is not really designed to completely recharge a battery.
When I bought my '02 back in 2005, it had a AC Delco battery in it. I finally had to replace it in 2012 and I bought an Interstate MegaTron Plus battery and that one is still in the car (and working great
).
or Northstar. VERY impressed.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 2,017
Likes: 169
From: SE VA VA
Ive been using Advance Auto Parts house brand batteries since...at least 2002.
No particular reason other than convenience - one of their stores was about 50 yards away the first time the battery in my C5 died.
Have never had a problem, so continued using them.
No particular reason other than convenience - one of their stores was about 50 yards away the first time the battery in my C5 died.
Have never had a problem, so continued using them.
Thread Starter
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Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 85
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From: Arlington TX
Do you park the car where you can hook up a battery maintainer? Most C5 owners will connect a maintainer if the car is going to sir for 2-3 weeks without being used. I use a Deltran Battery Tender Junior on my C5 and even when the car sits for 2-3 months, it will start immediately. CTEK is another good battery maintainer to use.
Too many drain/charge cycles can be tough on a battery. I'll bet that your battery has a bad cell from that cycling. Have you had the battery load tested? Can't hurt to do that. A good shop will fully charge the battery then perform a load test. The car's alternator is not really designed to completely recharge a battery.
When I bought my '02 back in 2005, it had a AC Delco battery in it. I finally had to replace it in 2012 and I bought an Interstate MegaTron Plus battery and that one is still in the car (and working great ).
Too many drain/charge cycles can be tough on a battery. I'll bet that your battery has a bad cell from that cycling. Have you had the battery load tested? Can't hurt to do that. A good shop will fully charge the battery then perform a load test. The car's alternator is not really designed to completely recharge a battery.
When I bought my '02 back in 2005, it had a AC Delco battery in it. I finally had to replace it in 2012 and I bought an Interstate MegaTron Plus battery and that one is still in the car (and working great
).
Guess I'll have to get a third one.
Last edited by 01redfreak; Jan 22, 2017 at 08:38 PM.
