I'm having the same problem as Al. After 3-4 days sitting , fully charged optima is dead. Battery is new as was the one it replaced. I'm about to undertake the ammeter / fuse-pulling adventure, but I was hoping there might be a "most likely" culprit(s) where I could start looking and maybe shorten the process. Any suggestions are appreciated. The car is a '99 vert A4.

Thanks.

 

Before pulling fuses you should deturmine if/ how much amp draw you have. Read previous info on this thread. After all my checking-amp draw-battery load test, I can't find anything wrong. I now will monitior battery voltage for a few days. So far, after sitting for 1 day voltage stays around 12.5 volts.(There could have been some unknown human error on my part)
One thought, since you have an older Vette you may want to check the output of your alternator. The easiest way is to use a voltmeter. With car off,measure battery voltage, should read about 12.5 volts. Start up vehicle, rev to 2500 for a few seconds, back to idle,measure voltage at battery , should read something higher than 12.5 volts. Nominally 13.5 to 14.5. You may be able to accomplish the same with the onboard DIC system. I assume the 99 has a voltmeter in the system. Let me know how you make out.
AL

 

Alternator output is normal. 14.4 at start-up and declines to 14.1 or so after a couple of minutes. I tried measuring draw before I read this thread, but the reading was bouncing around so much that I thought it was the meter. I'll try again and wait for things to settle down. Thanks Al.

 

I had the same problem, as I reread my manual it ended up being the sequence of putting the car in reverse and engaging the parking brake before you shut off the engine. So far that is working.

 

Your not going to be able to get an accurate amp draw reading without manually shutting down the systems and only your dealer or someone with the comp. interface can do that.You need to have a good dealer check it out.Also you need to follow the procedure for shut down.In a 6 speed its put the car in reverse then
shut off the ignition or certain comp. functions remain on.I was also told to make sure the key fob is at least 15' away from the garage or some other functions could also remain on.Ain't technology great!

 

do you remove the key from the ignition when you park the car because if you do not the computers will not go to sleep

 

I got an accurate reading using a standard VOM. The key is to wait 10 or 20 minutes before taking reading. I got 9.65 miliamps which is acceptable considering all the memory in the vehicle. (Originally suggested by WHITEC5VETTE). The wait allows all relays to shut off. Not following the sequence of shut off -PUT IN REVERSE THAN SHUT
IGNITION-may have been my problem. A load test on my battery(not done by Mr. Goodwrench) showed no problem. Everything seems fine at this point.
One strange item .I had the battery disconnected overnight . The next day when it was reconnected ,the only thing I lost was the window indexing(easy to re-establish) .All the DIC and radio memories were unchanged. There is got to be a memory battery somewere.
P.S. The only letter I received from my "not so good dealer" was an offer to rotate my tires (they were assuming I had 6000 miles on the car) Do you wonder why I want to do my own work!!

 

on the c6 there is no key for the ignition.
as many have mentioned in this thread......when you get out of your car put it in reverse or the accesories will stay on and it will drain the battery quick. It tells you that in the manual. Put it in reverse.
I'm from the old school and always put it in 1st when I parked a stick..but this is different and it works and after a few times you'll do it automatically, especially if you back into parking spaces as most of us do..it'll already be in reverse..
Reverse shuts everything off that would really drain the battery.

 

Its called flash memory, no battery needed.

 

Thanks Scott-Could you give some more details on flash memory-How it works-how long it lasts etc.
Thanks in advance.
Al

 

Well, I'm a FW engineer, not a HW engineer, but I work with all types of RAM and flash (embedded engineering). I have a fundamental working knowledge of RAM and flash (I've written drivers for them, so have to have some knowledge), but here is a great site to learn just about anything (specific link to flash memory):

http://computer.howstuffworks.com/flash-memory.htm

I'm just assuming that your radio is using flash as no power is required to maintain its internal data. Flash RAM was more widely used before, which actually did use a very small amount of current and thats when disconnecting your battery you would lose all your presets. But, flash has gotten so cheap, very fast, and can now be written to more often without losing integrity. Chips just 10 years ago would eventually lose integrity after a few thousands writes, now some claim millions of writes (thats millions of times to change your presets)!

Oh, you can get flash memory sticks for use with your PC, USB plugable. Easily hold anywhere from 128MB to over a Gigabyte of memory. More convienent than CDs for doing backups and fairly cheap. Your PC just looks at them as another hard drive, just cut and paste files, no need to burn a CD or anything, no special software needed. Outside of burning CDs for music, there isn't much use for a CD writer anymore as the flash sticks are just so much easier to use (also, don't get scratched, and as I've proven, can be left in your pants and run through the washer and dryer - much to my surprise, still works).

 

Scott,
Thanks for the good information. Can I assume the Memory Stick in my Sony camera is flash memory?
EDIT --Sorry, went on HOW STUFF WORKS after writing the above and there was my answer. No need to reply!

 

...I ran into similar problem when I reestablish power...all seems to go to normal but the window indexing didnt function properly...

How is it easy to reestablish...?

 

Easy!!

From page 2-17 of the Owner's Manual:

Power Window Initialize
After a power reconnect such as battery replacement,
the window index-up feature will not function until
the system is initialized. Once power is restored,
do the following:
1. Close the door.
2. Raise the window by pulling up the switch.
3. Hold the up switch for three seconds after the
window is closed. Release the switch.
4. Hold the up switch again for three seconds
and release.

 

hmmm...its actually Jami's C6...really...

"manual" ...a curious word brought up sooo often around here...
...think I will find Jami's manual

Thank you for not repremanding me... :o