Stuck inside my '08
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Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 84
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From: Hilton Head Island SC
Stuck inside my '08
My wife and I thought we would go out for a ride yesterday and when we closed the doors, the battery was dead and after panicking we realized and used the manual door openers. This is my daily driver and cannot understand with only 8,500 miles how the battery could have died. Checked all the accessories and they were all turned off including the lights. Used a trickle charger and she is now fine but no confidence it will happen again in a place where there is no electrical outlet nor anyone to help jump start. I am sure the dealer will say all is fine until I get stuck somewhere and the car will have to be towed into them.
What is wrong? Any help?
Leon R.
What is wrong? Any help?
Leon R.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 6,412
Likes: 1,296
From: Bluffton, SC
Usually the battery will go dead before you try to enter the car, and you'll have to use the emergency key to get in. It's very odd that the doors opened and the window indexing worked, then the battery went dead.
It just doesn't sound like the typical weak or dead battery. This definitely merits a trip to your dealer...I think it might be more than simply a weak battery.
If you're really worried about this, and your dealer can't find an obvious cause, you can always add a Priority Start module. This device simply disconnects and saves the battery if it drops below 12 volts. You can then reconnect the circuit by simply pressing in the cigarette lighter. The car will then start normally. When engaged, it will require access with the emergency key/pull cord. If doing this, it's a good idea to keep the driver's side window opened a bit, so the lack of window indexing won't make it hard to open the door. I used one on my 2005, but have not yet seen any need for it with my 2009.
It just doesn't sound like the typical weak or dead battery. This definitely merits a trip to your dealer...I think it might be more than simply a weak battery.
If you're really worried about this, and your dealer can't find an obvious cause, you can always add a Priority Start module. This device simply disconnects and saves the battery if it drops below 12 volts. You can then reconnect the circuit by simply pressing in the cigarette lighter. The car will then start normally. When engaged, it will require access with the emergency key/pull cord. If doing this, it's a good idea to keep the driver's side window opened a bit, so the lack of window indexing won't make it hard to open the door. I used one on my 2005, but have not yet seen any need for it with my 2009.
Last edited by StanNH; Dec 8, 2008 at 08:47 AM.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 760
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From: N.W. Arkansas
bought my 2004 off the showroom floor back in 04' and the summer of 05' the battery was shot,, my local gm man put me in a new one for nothing,, only had 2500miles on the car,,,so,, it happens,,, later rj
Safety Car
Joined: Nov 2007
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Drove by the local chevy dealer for a few days, and noticed all the Corvettes on his lot had both doors open for a display, I guess. Stopped in just to find out. The first 2 had dead batteries from sitting with the interior lights on because of the open doors. Batteries lose capacity when they are discharged, and are never as good as new after. Stupid dealer, ruins the battery on a new car that you might buy.
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From: McKinney TX
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I agree that it may be more than just a normal circumstance. But answer this: when was the last time you used the car? And have you been taking short trips prior to this situation?
I'm with stan and others re it could be something like a bad battery or a bad alternator.
I'm with stan and others re it could be something like a bad battery or a bad alternator.
Safety Car
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 4,732
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From: Monument CO
and as Talon90 has pointed out a few times, it takes trips of ~15 minutes or more to get adequate charging, shorter trips are draining the battery
Melting Slicks
Joined: Nov 2003
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From: Plainfield, IL
Drove by the local chevy dealer for a few days, and noticed all the Corvettes on his lot had both doors open for a display, I guess. Stopped in just to find out. The first 2 had dead batteries from sitting with the interior lights on because of the open doors. Batteries lose capacity when they are discharged, and are never as good as new after. Stupid dealer, ruins the battery on a new car that you might buy.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 1,213
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From: Malibu California
Before Dead Battery Syndrome was discovered, I didn't know I was affected, because I was using the car so much that, even with the battery draining, it never drained enough to make staring impossible. BUT... it was, apparently, hurting the battery (discharging etc.) because it finally went dead. When figured it was DBS, I put on a priority start, which saves the battery from discharging too far. Also, the car does have a "base line" drain anyway, so I left the device on the car.
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From: Chattanooga, TN
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I had two episodes with my '07 where it wouldn't start.
1. Four months after getting the car, the car wouldn't recognize the fobs, had to be opened manually and wouldn't start even with the fob in the glove box. Towed it to a dealer, where it sat for about 36 hours and then started normally. Service tech diagnosed an "unstable battery" and replaced it under warranty.
2. Eleven months after getting the car, I started it, backed it out of the garage and then couldn't start it five minutes later to put it back in the garage. Towed it to a dealer, where the service tech pulled the codes and consulted with someone up the line who suggested checking for a bad ground at two locations designated by code numbers. No problems in the ensuing eight months.
1. Four months after getting the car, the car wouldn't recognize the fobs, had to be opened manually and wouldn't start even with the fob in the glove box. Towed it to a dealer, where it sat for about 36 hours and then started normally. Service tech diagnosed an "unstable battery" and replaced it under warranty.
2. Eleven months after getting the car, I started it, backed it out of the garage and then couldn't start it five minutes later to put it back in the garage. Towed it to a dealer, where the service tech pulled the codes and consulted with someone up the line who suggested checking for a bad ground at two locations designated by code numbers. No problems in the ensuing eight months.
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From: Chatsworth California
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Joined: Sep 2004
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From: Hilton Head Island SC
No modifications to the car such as radar detector, nav (already built in), special radios, etc.
Purely a stock vehicle as when I picked it up at NCM. Only thing added was mild to wild. Nothing else.
Vehicle is now at dealer who thinks it is probably a bad battery but will check it out. In any event, I cannot take the car for my planned trip tomorrow. I am not happy about that. My wife is now afraid to take it on any trip-long or short. Hope to get it back by the end of this week. Yes, I know it is monday morning and the car went in at about 8:45 am, but this is a local chevy dealer. You never know when the car will be repaired or for that matter if it will be repaired.
Leon R.
Team Owner
Joined: Jul 2004
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From: Redondo Beach, California
When a lead acid battery is completely discharged; i.e. completely flat, it looses something like 25 to 33% of it's capacity. This degradation occurs even if the battery is new. Batteries are relatively inexpensive. When you'd cured your battery problem, always go buy a new battery.
Race Director
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 14,860
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From: 96598
my 06 battery died with 8,000 miles recently. Had to use the manual unlock. Dealer sent a tow truck to haul it to the dealer. The C6 sure has had more problems than
my C5. Lastest is the keyless start and unlock, just quits working, no warning.
Dont drive it much anymore, getting stranded just not worth it. Dealer say they
cant find a thing. But from a post here going to see if they will at least check out
a module.
my C5. Lastest is the keyless start and unlock, just quits working, no warning.
Dont drive it much anymore, getting stranded just not worth it. Dealer say they
cant find a thing. But from a post here going to see if they will at least check out
a module.