2004 C5 Battery loses charge

Reply Subscribe

Thread Tools

Search this Thread

Feb 2, 2025 | 10:10 PM

DonRe

Thread Starter

4th Gear

Joined: Feb 2025

Posts: 4

Likes: 0

From: Columbia, SC

2004 C5 Battery loses charge

I have a 2004 Corvette Commemorative Edition coupe. The battery will not hold charge. I've replaced the battery twice in the last year.
I can't figure out what's going on. Any thoughts?

Feb 2, 2025 | 10:17 PM

lucky131969

Tech Contributor

Joined: Jan 2007

Posts: 19,470

Likes: 1,170

From: Dyer, IN

Will be doing the troubleshooting and repairs? If so, do you have a test light and a DMM.

Feb 2, 2025 | 10:25 PM

DonRe

Thread Starter

4th Gear

Joined: Feb 2025

Posts: 4

Likes: 0

From: Columbia, SC

Quote:

Originally Posted by lucky131969

Will be doing the troubleshooting and repairs? If so, do you have a test light and a DMM.

Actually, I do have a DMM. I've never used it on car. Not sure what I would do, and how.

Feb 2, 2025 | 10:32 PM

C5 Diag

Moderator, Tech Contributor

Joined: Sep 2013

Posts: 15,621

Likes: 4,066

From: Cape Coral, Florida

Seems you have a parasitic drain…best to find an auto electric shop in your area and take the car there.

Feb 3, 2025 | 12:53 AM

Chuck A

Race Director

Joined: Aug 2008

Posts: 15,561

Likes: 166

From: Long Island NY

St. Jude Donor '08-'09

Do you put battery on a trickle charger, mine would defenitely drain if not on one
very true , indeed

Feb 3, 2025 | 09:47 AM

alex04vette

Racer

Joined: Jun 2024

Posts: 455

Likes: 774

2025 C5 of the Year Finalist - Modified

2024 C5 of the Year Finalist - Unmodified

are you locking the car when leaving it parked?

Did you check dash codes? Seems parasitic drain can come from wiring harness to the doors.

Feb 3, 2025 | 10:20 AM

mmartinez

Melting Slicks

Joined: Sep 2008

Posts: 3,138

Likes: 802

From: Espanola New Mexico

You will have to connect your DVM in series with the negative battery cable and negative battery terminal and select 10A scale to measure the current drain, should be around 25ma, you have to wait about 20 minutes. There is also a video showing how to measure millvolts across the fuses to find out what is causing the excessive current, there are several things in a C5, one of them being the seat module.

Feb 4, 2025 | 08:43 PM

OSUC5Vette

Heel & Toe

Joined: Jan 2025

Posts: 24

Likes: 2

From: Powell, OH

I will attest have same issue chased down to the drivers seat module drawing power. See my thread for all the details including how to check for a draw.