Dead Battery Again! Update
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 1,532
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Dead Battery Again! Update
Well got my car back from the dealer and here's what they discovered.Seems when they installed the aftermarket stereo they attached the amp power cables to the nuts that tighten down the battery cable clamps.The nuts on the battery cables are tapered so that as you tighten them they clamp harder on the battery post.When they installed the power cables that go pwr. amps they were placed in-between the tapered nut that clamps the battery cable to the post acting like a spacer so the battery cable was never really tight on the battery post preventing a solid contact for charging.They also discovered that the Pac gm12-24 module is not shutting down( malfunctioning) so its costantly drawing like .7 milliamps.I called the Audio place and they are going to replacethe module and reimberse me for the charges my dealer had to make since it was an aftermarket problem.The dealer was really great and did'nt charge me for the first battery they replaced.They also told me to make sure I put the car in reverse before turning off ignition as opposed to turning off ignition then putting it in reverse.They said if you do the latter not all the electronic functions shut down all the way.
Team Owner
Joined: Feb 2000
Posts: 53,535
Likes: 77
From: Arizona
Originally Posted by archtop
They also told me to make sure I put the car in reverse before turning off ignition as opposed to turning off ignition then putting it in reverse.They said if you do the latter not all the electronic functions shut down all the way.
I wonder how many times I shut it off in 5th, then adjusted it to reverse?
Le Mans Master
Joined: Apr 1999
Posts: 7,837
Likes: 107
From: Huntington Beach California
Originally Posted by Hoonose
Is this a fact?
I wonder how many times I shut it off in 5th, then adjusted it to reverse?
I wonder how many times I shut it off in 5th, then adjusted it to reverse?
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 1,532
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Yeah, that shutting it off in reverse thing makes no sense to me either I'm just relaying what they told me.When I questioned it the tech told me thats what the gm tech line told him,some computer functions stay on if you don't follow that procedure.Sounds fishy to me.I always had put it in neutral then shut off ignition and then put it in reverse.I do believe the battery cable deal since they showed me how the cable clamp works.
Intermediate
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 43
Likes: 0
From: Pleasanton CA
Found this on the C6 FAQ, under Service Bulletins.
“The ignition is not designed to turn off on vehicles equipped with a manual transmission unless the transmission is in Reverse. This means the ignition state will be Key On, Engine Off if the transmission is not in Reverse when the OFF/ACC button is pressed.
This can affect some service procedures because the engine control module (ECM) remains awake in the Key On, Engine Off state.
TIP: When performing any service procedure calling for turning the ignition OFF on a manual transmission car, be sure to place the transmission in Reverse before pressing the OFF/ACC button.”
For more info see link below.
http://corvetteactioncenter.com/kb/q....php?qstId=527
“The ignition is not designed to turn off on vehicles equipped with a manual transmission unless the transmission is in Reverse. This means the ignition state will be Key On, Engine Off if the transmission is not in Reverse when the OFF/ACC button is pressed.
This can affect some service procedures because the engine control module (ECM) remains awake in the Key On, Engine Off state.
TIP: When performing any service procedure calling for turning the ignition OFF on a manual transmission car, be sure to place the transmission in Reverse before pressing the OFF/ACC button.”
For more info see link below.
http://corvetteactioncenter.com/kb/q....php?qstId=527
Team Owner
Joined: Feb 2000
Posts: 53,535
Likes: 77
From: Arizona
If this means that the tranny HAS to be in reverse, before the car is turned off, then that's F**K'D!
That might explain the seemingly random battery failures. Every so often I'll bet, we all end up turning it off before it gets into reverse. I know that occaisionlly I turn it off in 5th gear by mistake, only to have the system bark at me to get it into reverse before getting out of the car.
So what do you do if the car gets turned off too early, and you realize it? Do you have to restart the car, and then do it 'right'?
That might explain the seemingly random battery failures. Every so often I'll bet, we all end up turning it off before it gets into reverse. I know that occaisionlly I turn it off in 5th gear by mistake, only to have the system bark at me to get it into reverse before getting out of the car.
So what do you do if the car gets turned off too early, and you realize it? Do you have to restart the car, and then do it 'right'?
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 1,532
Likes: 0
Originally Posted by NascarFan
Found this on the C6 FAQ, under Service Bulletins.
“The ignition is not designed to turn off on vehicles equipped with a manual transmission unless the transmission is in Reverse. This means the ignition state will be Key On, Engine Off if the transmission is not in Reverse when the OFF/ACC button is pressed.
This can affect some service procedures because the engine control module (ECM) remains awake in the Key On, Engine Off state.
TIP: When performing any service procedure calling for turning the ignition OFF on a manual transmission car, be sure to place the transmission in Reverse before pressing the OFF/ACC button.”
For more info see link below.
http://corvetteactioncenter.com/kb/q....php?qstId=527
“The ignition is not designed to turn off on vehicles equipped with a manual transmission unless the transmission is in Reverse. This means the ignition state will be Key On, Engine Off if the transmission is not in Reverse when the OFF/ACC button is pressed.
This can affect some service procedures because the engine control module (ECM) remains awake in the Key On, Engine Off state.
TIP: When performing any service procedure calling for turning the ignition OFF on a manual transmission car, be sure to place the transmission in Reverse before pressing the OFF/ACC button.”
For more info see link below.
http://corvetteactioncenter.com/kb/q....php?qstId=527
Safety Car
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 4,276
Likes: 8
From: Tucson AZ
St. Jude Donor '08-'09-'10-'11-'12-'13-'14-'15
Originally Posted by Hoonose
If this means that the tranny HAS to be in reverse, before the car is turned off, then that's F**K'D!
That might explain the seemingly random battery failures. Every so often I'll bet, we all end up turning it off before it gets into reverse. I know that occaisionlly I turn it off in 5th gear by mistake, only to have the system bark at me to get it into reverse before getting out of the car.
So what do you do if the car gets turned off too early, and you realize it? Do you have to restart the car, and then do it 'right'?
That might explain the seemingly random battery failures. Every so often I'll bet, we all end up turning it off before it gets into reverse. I know that occaisionlly I turn it off in 5th gear by mistake, only to have the system bark at me to get it into reverse before getting out of the car.
So what do you do if the car gets turned off too early, and you realize it? Do you have to restart the car, and then do it 'right'?
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Michael S. Palmer
Pro
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 666
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From: Houston TX
Sounds ridiculous. I've never been in the habit of shutting a car off while in gear. If I park in gear, the car is always shut down, THEN put into gear.
Now, my vette is still a couple of weeks away, but I can't imagine clutching in, everytime I shut the car down.
Now, my vette is still a couple of weeks away, but I can't imagine clutching in, everytime I shut the car down.
Team Owner
Joined: Jun 2001
Posts: 26,714
Likes: 344
From: Houston, TX
Originally Posted by Hoonose
If this means that the tranny HAS to be in reverse, before the car is turned off, then that's F**K'D!
That might explain the seemingly random battery failures. Every so often I'll bet, we all end up turning it off before it gets into reverse. I know that occaisionlly I turn it off in 5th gear by mistake, only to have the system bark at me to get it into reverse before getting out of the car.
So what do you do if the car gets turned off too early, and you realize it? Do you have to restart the car, and then do it 'right'?
That might explain the seemingly random battery failures. Every so often I'll bet, we all end up turning it off before it gets into reverse. I know that occaisionlly I turn it off in 5th gear by mistake, only to have the system bark at me to get it into reverse before getting out of the car.
So what do you do if the car gets turned off too early, and you realize it? Do you have to restart the car, and then do it 'right'?
1) I know for a fact I have done that (off before reverse) more than once and never had a problem with my battery.
2) I feel certain that if that were the case, the warnings would all go off when you get out of the car (horn and DIC warning).
3) You can tell by looking at the "switch" that the LED lights go off as they should.
Racer
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 472
Likes: 22
Originally Posted by Hoonose
We'd better spread the word on this one.
Maybe even a sticky is in order!
Man, how we gunna get service people and valets to conform to this?
Maybe even a sticky is in order!
Man, how we gunna get service people and valets to conform to this?
said "this can affect some service procedures" and not because it
may run down the battery. there are many service procedures that
require the ignition to be in a particular state, and thats why it may
sometimes be important to shift into reverse first.
since the DIC has the message "shift to reverse" that surely means
GM knows quite well that many people may turn the engine off before
shifting to reverse, hence the warning and Id be surprised if they
didnt take the sequence into consideration.
also, if the sequence was that important, id think it would have earned
more than just "tip" status in the bulletin.
im just saying we should verify this as fact before assuming that it is.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jul 2001
Posts: 3,284
Likes: 3
From: Southwest Florida
Originally Posted by jschindler
I really don't think that's true, for two reasons.
1) I know for a fact I have done that (off before reverse) more than once and never had a problem with my battery.
2) I feel certain that if that were the case, the warnings would all go off when you get out of the car (horn and DIC warning).
3) You can tell by looking at the "switch" that the LED lights go off as they should.
1) I know for a fact I have done that (off before reverse) more than once and never had a problem with my battery.
2) I feel certain that if that were the case, the warnings would all go off when you get out of the car (horn and DIC warning).
3) You can tell by looking at the "switch" that the LED lights go off as they should.
I think this one is worth testing further. I remember when I was testing the car to see how easy it was to "forget" to put the MN6 in reverse that I intentionally shut down with the car in 1st, got the DIC message "Shift to reverse" and then shifted to reverse after the car had already been shut down and I thought nothing of it because I did as the DIC said. Let it sit for about a month after doing that and it fired right up a month later the next time I started it.
Something doesn't add up because shutting it down in the wrong gear and then shifting to reverse afterward doesn't always cause a dead battery! This thread might be on to something but there must be other factors involved because I've shut down in a non-R gear, then shifted to R afterward, and didn't end up with a dead battery.
Mike
Last edited by mikeyc6; Feb 23, 2005 at 10:51 PM.
Drifting
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 1,450
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From: Huntington Beach Ca 1 out of 4 Americans are mentally unstable, so if 3 of your friends are OK . . . .
St. Jude Donor '05
In an auto don't you have to put in "PARK" before shutting it off? I don't how, or why, this is/has be come so complicated. I get to the parking spot or in the garage, put in reverse, turn it off. Had the car for 19 days and I don't even have to think about it. Seems much ado 'bout nothing, IMO. 
Team Owner
Joined: Feb 2000
Posts: 53,535
Likes: 77
From: Arizona
Originally Posted by redvetteC6
In an auto don't you have to put in "PARK" before shutting it off? I don't how, or why, this is/has be come so complicated. I get to the parking spot or in the garage, put in reverse, turn it off. Had the car for 19 days and I don't even have to think about it. Seems much ado 'bout nothing, IMO.
Racer
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 472
Likes: 22
Originally Posted by Hoonose
It's not rocket science, but a few times you end up turning the car off before it goes into reverse. It (SH*T?) happens. That shouldn't kill a battery. That doesn't make sense. And, what about those who use your car and aren't so informed? i.e. valets, radio installers, spouses?
I think its something to look into just in case. Ive shut mine off first
many times before weeklong shutdowns with no problems.
for the valets, a dead battery should be the least of your concerns.
for the installers, just print out a large warning sheet like the one
that came on the stickshift and attach it prominently to the console.
for the spouse, assuming theyre a quick learner, it should take no longer
than 10 seconds to educate them on the proper procedure.
"Baby, if you kill my battery we're getting divorced."
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 1,532
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I don't think its all about making your battery go completly dead ,its more about the fact that it adds that much more of a parasitic draw when the car is not in use.Remember there is always some draw on the battery ( clock and probably some memory functions) but its best to minimize it.I for one will just start to make it a habit to shut down ignition after I put it in reverse.I do think with all the technology put in the car they should have done a failsafe so this would not have been a problem.
