DBS eliminator?
Team Owner
Joined: Aug 2002
Posts: 35,617
Likes: 167
Tech Contributor
Cruise-In 11 Veteran
NCM Ambassador
St. Jude Donor '05-'06-'07-'10
The only thing that I could recommend is that you install a priority start:
http://www.prioritystart.com/
If the priority start senses a drain on the battery it will disconnect the battery from the circuit. You will then at least have enough juice to get the car started again when you return. Other than this, there is no defeat out there to prevent a battery drain from an improper shutdown of the car. On the 2005 MN6 cars the shift to reverse sequence is what initiates the shutdown of the vehicles sensors and systems. This will at least let you get underway again once you gain entry to the car. For the record, the instance of a dead battery by not leaving the car in reverse is not the accepted definition of DBS. DBS is usually used to describe a rapidly discharging battery even after the car has been shut down properly by shifting it in to reverse. If you are not putting it in reverse, you have simply let the car know that you plan to return and it stays "awake" pending your arrival. You have simpy killed the battery by doing this.
http://www.prioritystart.com/
If the priority start senses a drain on the battery it will disconnect the battery from the circuit. You will then at least have enough juice to get the car started again when you return. Other than this, there is no defeat out there to prevent a battery drain from an improper shutdown of the car. On the 2005 MN6 cars the shift to reverse sequence is what initiates the shutdown of the vehicles sensors and systems. This will at least let you get underway again once you gain entry to the car. For the record, the instance of a dead battery by not leaving the car in reverse is not the accepted definition of DBS. DBS is usually used to describe a rapidly discharging battery even after the car has been shut down properly by shifting it in to reverse. If you are not putting it in reverse, you have simply let the car know that you plan to return and it stays "awake" pending your arrival. You have simpy killed the battery by doing this.
Last edited by talon90; Sep 18, 2007 at 08:11 AM.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 774
Likes: 1
From: Seguin Texas
You stated it is a 2005 and I assume it has the manual transmission. If you are sure it is in reverse when you shut the vehicle down and no lights were left on, a battery failure (drain) within 48 hours after shutdown is most likely the DBS issue. If this is your problem, your dealer can flash new software to the BCM to cure it. Has that been done? If the battery is failing after a longer period you most probably have a bad battery.
Pro
Joined: Jun 1999
Posts: 693
Likes: 9
From: The Villages, Florida
You stated it is a 2005 and I assume it has the manual transmission. If you are sure it is in reverse when you shut the vehicle down and no lights were left on, a battery failure (drain) within 48 hours after shutdown is most likely the DBS issue. If this is your problem, your dealer can flash new software to the BCM to cure it. Has that been done? If the battery is failing after a longer period you most probably have a bad battery.
Melting Slicks
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 2,324
Likes: 0
From: MN
The reflash should cure the problem. It is ridiculous to think that you should have to go out any buy an aftermarket product simply to ensure that the battery doesn't die in a couple of days. My reflash was done in January (2006 A6), and so far, no issues.
Team Owner
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 35,767
Likes: 148
From: Northern NYs Adirondack Mountains,http://www.visitsacandaga.com.
IT must be in reverse. According to the GM brass I talked with at Carlisle there is no way to retrofit this leave in reverse feature do to FEDERAL law. At that time I had a 05 manual and had 4 DBS attacks (that is with the proper shutdown) So this subject was high on my "to do" list!Good luck
Burning Brakes
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 1,213
Likes: 0
From: Malibu California
Guys, he said when NOT left in reverse... if you have an '05 you dread leaving it with valet parking guys. And why would you need to reflash an '06 -- especially an auto? This is a Mn6 '05 issue, right?
Corvette Stories
The Best of Corvette for Corvette Enthusiasts
Top 10 Most Expensive Corvettes Ever Sold on Bring A Trailer
Brett Foote
10 Things Every Corvette Owner Needs (2026 Edition)
Michael S. Palmer
8 Most "Only Corvette Owners Understand" Quirks and Problems
Pouria Savadkouei
10 Reasons the C6 Z06 is Still A Performance Benchmark After 20 Years
Joe Kucinski
How Much Horsepower Every Corvette Engine "LOST" in 1972
Joe Kucinski
Top 10 DOs and DON'Ts for Protecting Your Convertible Top!
Michael S. Palmer
Top 10 Most Explosive Corvettes Ever Made: Power-to-Weight Ratio Ranked!
Joe Kucinski
150 hp to 1,250 hp: Every Corvette Generation Compared by the Specs That Matter
Joe Kucinski
8 Coolest Corvette Pace Cars (and Replicas) of All Time
Verdad Gallardo
Melting Slicks
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 2,324
Likes: 0
From: MN
Wrong...there were 2 distinct DBS issues. The first was the 2006 M6/reverse issue, which was dealt with using the first reflash. The second DBS issue hit 2005 and 2006 M6 AND A6, and there was a second reflash issued late last year for it (mine was done in Jan. of this year). I had 3 attacks, flatbed tows, new batteries, the whole deal.
CF Senior Member
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 23,313
Likes: 25
From: Tucson Arizona
Why wouldn't you place it in reverse when parking the car?
The only time I had a battery problem (with my 2005 MN6) was when the dealership failed to place it in reverse when they parked the car...despite a large sign taped on the dash instructing them to do so. No big deal...they jumped-started the car and 29+ months later I'm still using my OEM battery....no problems whatsoever.
If you're going somewhere where valet parking is unavoidable, tape instructions on the dash. Besides, most valet parking 'events' generally don't last long enough to drain your battery.
The only time I had a battery problem (with my 2005 MN6) was when the dealership failed to place it in reverse when they parked the car...despite a large sign taped on the dash instructing them to do so. No big deal...they jumped-started the car and 29+ months later I'm still using my OEM battery....no problems whatsoever.
If you're going somewhere where valet parking is unavoidable, tape instructions on the dash. Besides, most valet parking 'events' generally don't last long enough to drain your battery.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 1,015
Likes: 0
From: Granby CT
I had put priority start on my 05 MNS and eventually the battery went dead anyway. I think the life of my battery had just come and that was it. Dealer did all the flashes, put in a new battery and I've been good since. I haven't put the priority back in (took it out since I didn't want the dealer to blame it for my problems) due to lazyness although I do look at it often and say - got to get to that.
Get the car flashed, make sure you put it in reverse and if this is 3rd year on battery - replace it.
Get the car flashed, make sure you put it in reverse and if this is 3rd year on battery - replace it.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 1,213
Likes: 0
From: Malibu California
Wrong...there were 2 distinct DBS issues. The first was the 2006 M6/reverse issue, which was dealt with using the first reflash. The second DBS issue hit 2005 and 2006 M6 AND A6, and there was a second reflash issued late last year for it (mine was done in Jan. of this year). I had 3 attacks, flatbed tows, new batteries, the whole deal.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 1,213
Likes: 0
From: Malibu California
Ok, for the record... the '05 flash for the many (if not all) Mn6 cars is different from the early '06 A6 only reflash. On the early '06 "because the trans and engine did not communicate well, so it left modules on that killed the battery." I understand that certain late model Bentleys had a similar issue.
Of course, what exactly was going on with the Mn6 '05, I do not know. And this is all becoming a faint, ancient memory...
Of course, what exactly was going on with the Mn6 '05, I do not know. And this is all becoming a faint, ancient memory...