2003 Battery problem
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2nd Gear
Joined: May 2021
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2003 Battery problem
2003 corvette Was there a problem with battery going dead if sitting a couple days? A mechanic said he thought it was a short and disconnected fuses for he said the steering and air bag. Still went dead after couple days.Battery is 2 yrs old. I've heard this was a common prob.
Burning Brakes
Joined: May 2014
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From: Detroit
It's pretty common to have a slow drain on the battery with these cars, but the battery should last at least 2 weeks before going dead. It should really last longer, but I think of 2 weeks as kind of a minimum. If your battery sat in the car through winter without a charger or was otherwise allowed to go completely dead, it could be bad now even though it's only 2 years old. You could get the battery tested at AutoZone or just try replacing it. Otherwise you can try pulling different fuses or using a multimeter as some first steps to look for the cause of your drain.
Race Director
Joined: May 2003
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From: Iowa
St. Jude Donor '03 thru '26
https://www.batterytender.com/Battery-TenderR-Plus
Use the above or something like it. Ctek also make a great version of a battery tender.
But, your car's battery should last more than two days. The seat modules are a known culprit of not shutting off and cause the battery to drain. The Bose system is another culprit.
When you replace your battery go with an AGM style battery.
Use the above or something like it. Ctek also make a great version of a battery tender.
But, your car's battery should last more than two days. The seat modules are a known culprit of not shutting off and cause the battery to drain. The Bose system is another culprit.
When you replace your battery go with an AGM style battery.
Le Mans Master
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2 weeks is an absolute minimum. If your battery is draining in a day or two you have a problem. I agree that you should get the battery tested, if you haven't already. You'll want to make sure that you have an AGM battery. If your battery leaks, it can do MAJOR damage on a C5. A new battery, and a tender will at the very least keep your battery from dying. However, if it's still draining at a super high rate, you'll need to track down the source. Good luck.
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I just replaced my battery week before last.
Car sat for 2 weeks since it had been driven last and I had to jump it to go to a cruise-in.
Took it out and to Advance Auto for a test and sure enough it was going bad. Replaced with Optima Red Top this time.
I don’t fool around with a battery if it ever lets me down. These cars are so electronically dependent for everything to function properly, they can do some weird things when a battery isn’t right.
Car sat for 2 weeks since it had been driven last and I had to jump it to go to a cruise-in.
Took it out and to Advance Auto for a test and sure enough it was going bad. Replaced with Optima Red Top this time.
I don’t fool around with a battery if it ever lets me down. These cars are so electronically dependent for everything to function properly, they can do some weird things when a battery isn’t right.
Race Director
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Burning Brakes
Joined: May 2014
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From: Detroit
Generally no harm, but you do lose functionality associated with the seat control module. So obviously the seat memory no longer works, but neither does the telescoping wheel if you have that option. I can't remember if the mirror memory is tied to the seat control module or door control module. So, things you might not care about if you're the only one that drives the car.
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Drifting
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From: Palm City
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I just replaced my battery week before last.
Car sat for 2 weeks since it had been driven last and I had to jump it to go to a cruise-in.
Took it out and to Advance Auto for a test and sure enough it was going bad. Replaced with Optima Red Top this time.
I don’t fool around with a battery if it ever lets me down. These cars are so electronically dependent for everything to function properly, they can do some weird things when a battery isn’t right.
Car sat for 2 weeks since it had been driven last and I had to jump it to go to a cruise-in.
Took it out and to Advance Auto for a test and sure enough it was going bad. Replaced with Optima Red Top this time.
I don’t fool around with a battery if it ever lets me down. These cars are so electronically dependent for everything to function properly, they can do some weird things when a battery isn’t right.
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They don't ask any questions if you have your receipt from when the battery is purchased. I just had that happen on one in my truck. Got a brand new one, and it is also has the same replacement warranty for 3 more years.
Drifting
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From: Prescott, Arizona
Safety Car
Joined: Apr 2007
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From: . New York
Red Tops are not what a C5 needs...
The original spec was for a RC of 90 (reserve capacity)...... it was revised to an RC of 120.
Any battery wit an RC of 120 would do better.
Nothing wrong with AGM batteries, as long as the RC is high enough.
And the leaking battery is something that did happen....about 20 years ago......so AGM isnt the be all and end all, modern batteries dont leak like that, fine if you want it, just make sure a dead draining wont kill it (as some AGMs do)....and use a battery tender (preferably a smart one like the Cteck 3000 or better) .
The original spec was for a RC of 90 (reserve capacity)...... it was revised to an RC of 120.
Any battery wit an RC of 120 would do better.
Nothing wrong with AGM batteries, as long as the RC is high enough.
And the leaking battery is something that did happen....about 20 years ago......so AGM isnt the be all and end all, modern batteries dont leak like that, fine if you want it, just make sure a dead draining wont kill it (as some AGMs do)....and use a battery tender (preferably a smart one like the Cteck 3000 or better) .
Race Director
Joined: Dec 2000
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From: San Diego CA
Red Tops are not what a C5 needs...
The original spec was for a RC of 90 (reserve capacity)...... it was revised to an RC of 120.
Any battery wit an RC of 120 would do better.
Nothing wrong with AGM batteries, as long as the RC is high enough.
And the leaking battery is something that did happen....about 20 years ago......so AGM isnt the be all and end all, modern batteries dont leak like that, fine if you want it, just make sure a dead draining wont kill it (as some AGMs do)....and use a battery tender (preferably a smart one like the Cteck 3000 or better) .
The original spec was for a RC of 90 (reserve capacity)...... it was revised to an RC of 120.
Any battery wit an RC of 120 would do better.
Nothing wrong with AGM batteries, as long as the RC is high enough.
And the leaking battery is something that did happen....about 20 years ago......so AGM isnt the be all and end all, modern batteries dont leak like that, fine if you want it, just make sure a dead draining wont kill it (as some AGMs do)....and use a battery tender (preferably a smart one like the Cteck 3000 or better) .
My OEM 2001 C5's battery (AGM) lasted 6.5 years without any issues at all. Many Corvette owners installed catch trays to prevent leakage onto vacuum hoses under the battery, but those were mostly early-in-the-model change years and weren't required after the second generation batteries were installed in C5s like mine.
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