When you click on links to various merchants on this site and make a purchase, this can result in this site earning a commission. Affiliate programs and affiliations include, but are not limited to, the eBay Partner Network.
Replaced my battery with another interstate from Costco. I keep it on the battery tender and as noted on a different post, it’s leaking quite a bit. I returned the two week old one and now the new one does the same out of the vent. Prior one leaked so much it was puddles up underneath the battery tray.
At the suggestion from another member, baking soda does makes it bubble. With the battery tender plugged in, the volts range from 12.80 to 13.33.
Thoughts? Two bad batteries?
Last edited by billdance; Oct 5, 2023 at 01:52 PM.
Theres no way that a vented type battery like that belongs in a C5!! Wrong application! There is a vent piping system that this type battery comes with when installed as an OEM battery in a new vehicle. Even if your battery didn't "leak," the vapors coming out are highly caustic/acidic, and will rust and corrode everything within several feet. You need a sealed battery, or better yet, an AGM battery, as suggested. That one is the kiss of death for your electronics AND frame!!!
Your battery cells electrolyte levels are too high. Someone put too much electrolyte in your battery cells. Check the levels by removing the vent cap(s). The level should be just at the bottom ring.
The guy at Costco is overfilling the batteries.
Replaced my battery with another interstate from Costco. I keep it on the battery tender and as noted on a different post, it’s leaking quite a bit. I returned the two week old one and now the new one does the same out of the vent. Prior one leaked so much it was puddles up underneath the battery tray.
At the suggestion from another member, baking soda does makes it bubble. With the battery tender plugged in, the volts range from 12.80 to 13.33.
Thoughts? Two bad batteries?
That's an indication that your battery tender is constantly trickling that battery. You're boiling it. To prove it, approach the vehicle after it's been sitting for many hours on the battery tender and check with a voltmeter then disconnect the battery tender and see if the voltage of the battery is slowly dropping. After disconnecting the battery tender. A quality battery tender will not constantly trickle and boil a battery. You likely have one of the cheap Chinese garbage ones. And yes get a glass mat battery. A vented battery will always destroy all the computers because the fumes are heavier than air. You already did the damage
Thanks for the comments and help. I am using a battery tender plus brand. They no good? I installed the new AGM battery yesterday and returned the Interstate to Costco. Funny, as I took the vette out to the dump to drop off the old oil, then tried my older SEM-1562a float charger and nothing leaked out. I then put the battery tender plus back on and nothing leaked out this time either!!! Maybe after bouncing around and loss of some of the liquid, it leveled out. Regardless, keeping the AGM. I removed the battery tray and cleaned underneath.
And still no more TCS C1234 code. I did get the C1255 once, but I read somewhere it can be related to me removing the negative ground/battery. I've since driven it many times and hasn't reappeared.
But...wouldn't you know, after removing the battery, I now get HVAC codes!! I only noticed as it was colder here and I had no heat. I know I didnt have these codes before due to me working on the TCS codes and would have seen them. I reset the codes via the DIC, can hear them cycle, no grinding noise and heat came back until I restarted - no heat. Tried the fuse 27 pull/reindex actuators, and I still get the 4 codes, but heat is still working. Reading up on this now still.
The battery tender plus is a SMART CHARGER per their website. I personally use the CETEC Chargers and have never had any overcharge issues. As per the owners manual, IF, you store the car for an extended period of time, disconnect and remove the battery.
New battery leaking while on battery tender
