Battery/ Power Question
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 917
Likes: 17
From: Virginia
Battery/ Power Question
So my 03 C5 is gone, and I am aching to get a C6. Well my local dealer got a loaded Z51 that is all I want, its a recent trade on a Z06. So I go to look at it, and it appears to be very clean.
So here is my question. I go to take it for a spin, and NOTHING. (Had to break it through the back) The battery was dead. While it might not have been put in R when it was shut off, I just dont know this to be the case... it was in R when I manually opened the door.
I have looked over the FAQ and other questions and talked with people, but get many different responses..., but my question is simple. Do these things die that quick? I live in just outside of DC and travel quite ofter and have a beater for crappy days (So its gonna sit quite some time... I harder ever drove my 03); am I going to have to jump a literally BRAND new car if it sits for some time?
Hopefully you guys can gimme some insight... I hate not having a Vette, BUT if worst comes to worst, I will wait till spring and buy another brand.... but boy I never thought I would own a DODGE.....
THanks
clk199
So here is my question. I go to take it for a spin, and NOTHING. (Had to break it through the back) The battery was dead. While it might not have been put in R when it was shut off, I just dont know this to be the case... it was in R when I manually opened the door.
I have looked over the FAQ and other questions and talked with people, but get many different responses..., but my question is simple. Do these things die that quick? I live in just outside of DC and travel quite ofter and have a beater for crappy days (So its gonna sit quite some time... I harder ever drove my 03); am I going to have to jump a literally BRAND new car if it sits for some time?
Hopefully you guys can gimme some insight... I hate not having a Vette, BUT if worst comes to worst, I will wait till spring and buy another brand.... but boy I never thought I would own a DODGE.....
THanks
clk199
Le Mans Master
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 7,588
Likes: 6
From: Montreal Qc
While many have suffered from DBS (dead battery syndrome), they still only represent the few, my C6 often sits 2 - 3 weeks and starts no problem. You can also check out this recent thread. 
Get the C6, you'll love it and it should be no worse than your C5 was for draining the batery, (my C5 would kill the battery in 3 - 4 weeks if left sitting).
Let us know what you decide.
Get the C6, you'll love it and it should be no worse than your C5 was for draining the batery, (my C5 would kill the battery in 3 - 4 weeks if left sitting).
Let us know what you decide.
Race Director
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 10,399
Likes: 26
From: Austin Texas
I bought my Z51 6spd in Feb. off the showroom floor, it had a dead battery and they had to jump it for the test drive. When the tech brought the jump battery into the showroom he said it was the third time the car had to be jumped. Over 6,000 miles since then and never a dead battery. I always set the E. brake and shift to reverse and have had no problems.
Racer
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 455
Likes: 0
From: Mineral Virginia
It is wholly dependent upon how they shut the car down. Most dealership personnel have no clue how to properly close down a
Vette and so it's not unusual to see brand new ones with DBS. Nothing like hot boxing a car sitting in the showroom while the prospetive buyer looks on (although does help with the negotiating!). I wouldn't worry about it since you obviously are going to follow the proper procedures (although the procedures are arcane).
Vette and so it's not unusual to see brand new ones with DBS. Nothing like hot boxing a car sitting in the showroom while the prospetive buyer looks on (although does help with the negotiating!). I wouldn't worry about it since you obviously are going to follow the proper procedures (although the procedures are arcane).
Team Owner
Joined: Feb 2000
Posts: 53,535
Likes: 77
From: Arizona
Originally Posted by Miaugi
While many have suffered from DBS (dead battery syndrome), they still only represent the few, my C6 often sits 2 - 3 weeks and starts no problem.
Get the C6, you'll love it and it should be no worse than your C5 was for draining the batery, (my C5 would kill the battery in 3 - 4 weeks if left sitting).
Get the C6, you'll love it and it should be no worse than your C5 was for draining the batery, (my C5 would kill the battery in 3 - 4 weeks if left sitting).
If you look at the data, this is not one of those 'few' or rare problems, but quite common in '05's with the shifter. Maybe not in '06's, it may be too early to tell.
Certainly there have been bad batteries, and failure to shut down properly in reverse instances, but there have been way too many episodes of DBS to explain it away so easily.
DBS generally happens at home in the garage with the MN6 properly in reverse. It usually strikes overnight. For whatever reasons, it luckily is rare out on the road on a trip. If the car still blinks after a day or so sitting in the garage, it probably will be fine for weeks just sitting there, like any other car.
I don't have the answer(s), nor does GM, that I know of.
My guess right now, is that it has to do with the steering lock. Just yesterday a poster had DBS, and had forgotten to manually lock his steering wheel on shut down the day before. You need to make sure it locks before leaving the car. I started doing just that around Jan, and have had no further episodes.
If you're still wary, a Prioritystart module (do a search) would be simple and cheap insurance.
Last edited by Hoonose; Oct 21, 2005 at 02:09 PM.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 1,213
Likes: 0
From: Malibu California
Originally Posted by Hoonose
I've been following the DBS problem for the last year, as my '05 C6 has had this happen 3 times.
If you look at the data, this is not one of those 'few' or rare problems, but quite common in '05's with the shifter. Maybe not in '06's, it may be too early to tell.
Certainly there have been bad batteries, and failure to shut down properly in reverse instances, but there have been way too many episodes of DBS to explain it away so easily.
DBS generally happens at home in the garage with the MN6 properly in reverse. It usually strikes overnight. For whatever reasons, it luckily is rare out on the road on a trip. If the car still blinks after a day or so sitting in the garage, it probably will be fine for weeks just sitting there, like any other car.
I don't have the answer(s), nor does GM, that I know of.
My guess right now, has to do with the steering lock. Just yesterday a poster had DBS, and had forgotten to manually lock his steering wheel on shut down the day before. You need to make sure it locks before leaving the car. I started doing just that around Jan, and have had no further episodes.
if you're still wary, a Prioritystart module (do a search) would be simple and cheap insurance.
If you look at the data, this is not one of those 'few' or rare problems, but quite common in '05's with the shifter. Maybe not in '06's, it may be too early to tell.
Certainly there have been bad batteries, and failure to shut down properly in reverse instances, but there have been way too many episodes of DBS to explain it away so easily.
DBS generally happens at home in the garage with the MN6 properly in reverse. It usually strikes overnight. For whatever reasons, it luckily is rare out on the road on a trip. If the car still blinks after a day or so sitting in the garage, it probably will be fine for weeks just sitting there, like any other car.
I don't have the answer(s), nor does GM, that I know of.
My guess right now, has to do with the steering lock. Just yesterday a poster had DBS, and had forgotten to manually lock his steering wheel on shut down the day before. You need to make sure it locks before leaving the car. I started doing just that around Jan, and have had no further episodes.
if you're still wary, a Prioritystart module (do a search) would be simple and cheap insurance.
Right -- and correct me if I'm wrong -- doesn't the Prioritystart sense when your battery is getting drained and essentially cut it off from the system to preserve charge? If so, that's fine for periods under 72 hours, but the tech I spoke with at Lojack says that if Lojack is disconnected from the car battery for more than 72 hours it should have its internal battery checked and/or replaced.
Team Owner
Joined: Feb 2000
Posts: 53,535
Likes: 77
From: Arizona
Originally Posted by scrannel
Right -- and correct me if I'm wrong -- doesn't the Prioritystart sense when your battery is getting drained and essentially cut it off from the system to preserve charge? If so, that's fine for periods under 72 hours, but the tech I spoke with at Lojack says that if Lojack is disconnected from the car battery for more than 72 hours it should have its internal battery checked and/or replaced.
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Team Owner
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 27,420
Likes: 64
From: San Clemente CA
Originally Posted by scrannel
Right -- and correct me if I'm wrong -- doesn't the Prioritystart sense when your battery is getting drained and essentially cut it off from the system to preserve charge? If so, that's fine for periods under 72 hours, but the tech I spoke with at Lojack says that if Lojack is disconnected from the car battery for more than 72 hours it should have its internal battery checked and/or replaced.
Team Owner
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 35,769
Likes: 148
From: Northern NYs Adirondack Mountains,http://www.visitsacandaga.com.
Originally Posted by VET4LES
Six month's, 5000 miles and never had DBS. I have never made sure the steering wheel was locked. I put it in reverse and set the brake and that's it.
One of these days you might join us or have some other long term problem that affect your driving pleasure. If it happens I promise not to gloat about it.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 982
Likes: 2
From: Falls Church VA
I did not drive it for one day and the battery went under. I called Road Side Assistance and they managed to jump start the car. I took it to Koons and they could not find anything wrong with the car. This is like the 4th or 5th time I have had battery issues. I think my mistake may have been getting the car jumpstarted since everything works properly after that. If it happens again I will get Road Side Assistance to tow the car to the dealer and hopefully they can find what is going on. It is very annoying for this to happen to a $50K car. This is not my daily driver and I have a beater car for crappy days. I wonder if those who drive their car on a daily basis have had any battery issues?
Last edited by 05C6400; Oct 21, 2005 at 03:26 PM. Reason: editorial
Team Owner
Joined: Feb 2000
Posts: 53,535
Likes: 77
From: Arizona
Originally Posted by 05C6400
I did not drive it for one day and the battery went under. I called Road Side Assistance and they managed to jump start the car. I took it to Koons and they could not find anything wrong with the car. This is like the 4th or 5th time I have had battery issues. I think my mistake may have been getting the car jumpstarted since everything works properly after that. If it happens again I will get Road Side Assistance to tow the car to the dealer and hopefully they can find what is going on. It is very annoying for this to happen to a $50K car. This is not my daily driver and I have a beater car for crappy days. I wonder if those who drive their car on a daily basis have had any battery issues?
Le Mans Master
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 7,588
Likes: 6
From: Montreal Qc
Originally Posted by Hoonose
...If you look at the data, this is not one of those 'few' or rare problems, but quite common in '05's with the shifter...
Seems like you get it or you don't. For myself, 6 months of owning a C6 MN6, over 8,000 miles, car sits for over 2 weeks sometimes and no battery issues (yet).
I hope one day we can track down this DBS mystery, until then we wait.
Team Owner
Joined: Feb 2000
Posts: 53,535
Likes: 77
From: Arizona
Originally Posted by Miaugi
I am not doubting that DBS exists, just how many it affects. Of course when it hits anybody it is a big pain in the butt and not acceptable, but just like the crank bolt failure I think the actual percentages of occurance is low.
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/show...m_id=74&arch=1
Check that out!
Crankbolt failure is only about 2% of early builds, and seems to be progressively less as time goes on, and only before VIN#11000, or so.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 7,588
Likes: 6
From: Montreal Qc
Originally Posted by Hoonose
It was(is) NOT rare, at least here on the forum with MN6 tranny:
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/show...m_id=74&arch=1
Check that out!
Crankbolt failure is only about 2% of early builds, and seems to be progressively less as time goes on, and only before VIN#11000, or so.
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/show...m_id=74&arch=1
Check that out!
Crankbolt failure is only about 2% of early builds, and seems to be progressively less as time goes on, and only before VIN#11000, or so.
Anyways, as I said I am not doubting it, just not sure how wide spread it really is....let's call GM and get some hard numbers from them!
Melting Slicks
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 2,312
Likes: 82
From: Ridgeland MS
St. Jude Donor '06-'07-'08-'09-'10-'11
DBS is real and as mentioned above is usually in MN6 cars. Most of the time it is the result of the car being shut off and not being in reverse. It happened to me. My car was being shipped back to the US from Europe and the packing company did not shut off the car in reverse or disconnect the battery cable. When I went to pick up the car it was dead and after a jump start and a drive to a dealer, a new battery was installed to replace the bad one. By my standard, puching the off button should shut off the car. Period. 
Le Mans Master
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 6,412
Likes: 1,295
From: Bluffton, SC
Sitting on a dealer's lot, my guess is that someone, at some time, just forgot to leave it in reverse and drained the battery. If the "shift to reverse" warning label is not around the shifter, this is very likely. You might want to look at the car's service records to see if it has a history of DBS. DBS has been one of those mystery ailments that noone has really been able to pin down yet. Lots of theories, but no definitve answers.
The majority of MN6 cars have had no battery issues at all, mine included. Of those affected, some claim pulling relay #46 is a fix, others that engaging the steering wheel lock on shutdown helps. The confusing part is that those of us who, so far, remain unaffected have done nothing special.
The odds are that you will not have a DBS problem with any MN6 C6. If you do, however, don't count on any easy fixes other than hooking up a battery tender.
The majority of MN6 cars have had no battery issues at all, mine included. Of those affected, some claim pulling relay #46 is a fix, others that engaging the steering wheel lock on shutdown helps. The confusing part is that those of us who, so far, remain unaffected have done nothing special.
The odds are that you will not have a DBS problem with any MN6 C6. If you do, however, don't count on any easy fixes other than hooking up a battery tender.
Team Owner
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 35,769
Likes: 148
From: Northern NYs Adirondack Mountains,http://www.visitsacandaga.com.
Originally Posted by Miaugi
Anyways, as I said I am not doubting it, just not sure how wide spread it really is....let's call GM and get some hard numbers from them!
Talking to the brass at GM I get the feeling they want nothing to do with it. Might cost them some money) Bet they got it fixed OK for the 06 models.
Removing the idiotic leave in reverse thingy that hooks up to the steering column lock will probably do itBest bet is we (the little people on the forum) are doing more to find out the problem than GM is.
I will say again we need a CAGS type device to fool that reverse lock out thing, so it thinks the car is properly shut down. If it means removing the steering column lock to accomplish this, so be it.
Team Owner
Joined: Feb 2000
Posts: 53,535
Likes: 77
From: Arizona
Originally Posted by Miaugi
I guess you're basing your comments on the fact that about 35% of those who responded reported a battery failure, not sure how accurate such a small poll can be, and how many were to blame by not doing the reverse shutdown required? Anyways, as I said I am not doubting it, just not sure how wide spread it really is....let's call GM and get some hard numbers from them!
We'd better be getting something like free batteries forever, or a week for 2 to Cozumel for our suffering!
Team Owner
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 27,420
Likes: 64
From: San Clemente CA
Originally Posted by 6spdC6
Good for you, count your blessings. Not all of us are so lucky.
One of these days you might join us or have some other long term problem that affect your driving pleasure. If it happens I promise not to gloat about it.
One of these days you might join us or have some other long term problem that affect your driving pleasure. If it happens I promise not to gloat about it.