How long will it last?
Thread Starter
Advanced
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 64
Likes: 0
From: Cleveland Ohio
How long will it last?
Went out to start the Vette on Thursday and got nothing. Should have been suspicious when I closed the door and the window didn't index back up to the fully closed position. Put the foot on the brake to start her up and nothing. Had to use the floor lever to open the door to get out. Now I'm charging the battery and I'm wondering what to expect from here. She's a 2007 with only 3300 miles, but I start her up every two weeks since she came home new from the factory. I've read the FAQ threads regarding dead batteries but now I'm wondering if I should just replace the original or give it 24 hours on the charger and hope for the best. I have never used a trickle charger on her but maybe putting the charger on 2amp mode is something I should get used to. What do you all think?
Le Mans Master
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 7,753
Likes: 210
From: North Western Connecticut
First are you absolutely positive you didn't leave anything that could draw amps? I know most everyone believes they didn't but it's worth a look see.
Unless you started with a bad battery (quite possible) it shouldn't be shot after 2 years of use. I have an 06 and leave mine for extended time periods (up to 3 weeks) without a tender and it starts fine... hummm knock on wood after that statement!
I'd be inclined to "charge" the battery and see what happens before buying new! Besides you're still under warranty so I'd try the dealer "before" spending your own money for new battery! If the battery is bad they'll replace it no or a very small amount?
I'd still like to know why some vettes can sit without a battery tender for extended time periods while others can hardly make a week? There has to be some electronic gremlin that GM nor anyone else has found IMO. The "only" time I ever use a battery tender is over the winter when the car is being stored. Good luck and let us know what happens....
Unless you started with a bad battery (quite possible) it shouldn't be shot after 2 years of use. I have an 06 and leave mine for extended time periods (up to 3 weeks) without a tender and it starts fine... hummm knock on wood after that statement!
I'd be inclined to "charge" the battery and see what happens before buying new! Besides you're still under warranty so I'd try the dealer "before" spending your own money for new battery! If the battery is bad they'll replace it no or a very small amount?
I'd still like to know why some vettes can sit without a battery tender for extended time periods while others can hardly make a week? There has to be some electronic gremlin that GM nor anyone else has found IMO. The "only" time I ever use a battery tender is over the winter when the car is being stored. Good luck and let us know what happens....
Drifting
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 1,540
Likes: 4
From: N.E. GA
My 08 with 2400 miles used to sit for weeks on end without the battery dying. Now it won't make it 2 or 3 weeks. I now keep it on a battery tender whenever I know it'll be more than a week when I will drive it.
With retirement coming up quickly, I hope that BT won't be necessary except in the winter months!
With retirement coming up quickly, I hope that BT won't be necessary except in the winter months!
CF Senior Member
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 23,313
Likes: 25
From: Tucson Arizona
First are you absolutely positive you didn't leave anything that could draw amps? I know most everyone believes they didn't but it's worth a look see.
Unless you started with a bad battery (quite possible) it shouldn't be shot after 2 years of use. I have an 06 and leave mine for extended time periods (up to 3 weeks) without a tender and it starts fine... hummm knock on wood after that statement!
I'd be inclined to "charge" the battery and see what happens before buying new! Besides you're still under warranty so I'd try the dealer "before" spending your own money for new battery! If the battery is bad they'll replace it no or a very small amount?
I'd still like to know why some vettes can sit without a battery tender for extended time periods while others can hardly make a week? There has to be some electronic gremlin that GM nor anyone else has found IMO. The "only" time I ever use a battery tender is over the winter when the car is being stored. Good luck and let us know what happens....
Unless you started with a bad battery (quite possible) it shouldn't be shot after 2 years of use. I have an 06 and leave mine for extended time periods (up to 3 weeks) without a tender and it starts fine... hummm knock on wood after that statement!
I'd be inclined to "charge" the battery and see what happens before buying new! Besides you're still under warranty so I'd try the dealer "before" spending your own money for new battery! If the battery is bad they'll replace it no or a very small amount?
I'd still like to know why some vettes can sit without a battery tender for extended time periods while others can hardly make a week? There has to be some electronic gremlin that GM nor anyone else has found IMO. The "only" time I ever use a battery tender is over the winter when the car is being stored. Good luck and let us know what happens....
Good advice. I'd also charge-up the battery to see what happens...perhaps have it checked at an auto parts store. I've also wondered why some C6's have 'battery/starting' issues and others don't. I have a 2005 MN6 which is supposedly prone to such problems. I've never used a battery tender and my car has sat idle on numerous occasions for up to 3 weeks and I've never had any problems. Go figure.
Pro
Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 644
Likes: 0
From: Chicago Illinois
Here's an article about sulfation (a battery killer)
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sulfation
and one product (I use it, no battery problems...yet) that could help.
http://www.batteryminders.com/batter...o-p-16134.html
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sulfation
and one product (I use it, no battery problems...yet) that could help.
http://www.batteryminders.com/batter...o-p-16134.html
Safety Car
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 4,024
Likes: 13
From: Loveland CO to Central Coast CA
Read this:
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/c6-c...d-battery.html
Then this:
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/c6-c...-thoughts.html
Lots & lots more threads. You could spend an afternoon reading them.
Bottom line:
-- Get your battery & electrical system checked.
-- Even though you might not need it right away, plan to get a new battery soon. http://forums.corvetteforum.com/c6-c...st-for-c6.html
-- Get & use a good battery tender/maintainer (not a charger). No risk of overcharging. Cheap peace of mind. And it's good for the battery b/c it does more than just charge. I like my CTEK 3300, lots of others available for less.
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/c6-c...d-battery.html
Then this:
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/c6-c...-thoughts.html
Lots & lots more threads. You could spend an afternoon reading them.
Bottom line:
-- Get your battery & electrical system checked.
-- Even though you might not need it right away, plan to get a new battery soon. http://forums.corvetteforum.com/c6-c...st-for-c6.html
-- Get & use a good battery tender/maintainer (not a charger). No risk of overcharging. Cheap peace of mind. And it's good for the battery b/c it does more than just charge. I like my CTEK 3300, lots of others available for less.
Thread Starter
Advanced
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 64
Likes: 0
From: Cleveland Ohio
First are you absolutely positive you didn't leave anything that could draw amps? I know most everyone believes they didn't but it's worth a look see.
Unless you started with a bad battery (quite possible) it shouldn't be shot after 2 years of use. I have an 06 and leave mine for extended time periods (up to 3 weeks) without a tender and it starts fine... hummm knock on wood after that statement!
I'd be inclined to "charge" the battery and see what happens before buying new! Besides you're still under warranty so I'd try the dealer "before" spending your own money for new battery! If the battery is bad they'll replace it no or a very small amount?
I'd still like to know why some vettes can sit without a battery tender for extended time periods while others can hardly make a week? There has to be some electronic gremlin that GM nor anyone else has found IMO. The "only" time I ever use a battery tender is over the winter when the car is being stored. Good luck and let us know what happens....
Unless you started with a bad battery (quite possible) it shouldn't be shot after 2 years of use. I have an 06 and leave mine for extended time periods (up to 3 weeks) without a tender and it starts fine... hummm knock on wood after that statement!
I'd be inclined to "charge" the battery and see what happens before buying new! Besides you're still under warranty so I'd try the dealer "before" spending your own money for new battery! If the battery is bad they'll replace it no or a very small amount?
I'd still like to know why some vettes can sit without a battery tender for extended time periods while others can hardly make a week? There has to be some electronic gremlin that GM nor anyone else has found IMO. The "only" time I ever use a battery tender is over the winter when the car is being stored. Good luck and let us know what happens....
Team Owner
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 46,295
Likes: 2,596
From: Northern, VA
St. Jude Donor '15
"In honor of jpee"
First are you absolutely positive you didn't leave anything that could draw amps? I know most everyone believes they didn't but it's worth a look see.
Unless you started with a bad battery (quite possible) it shouldn't be shot after 2 years of use. I have an 06 and leave mine for extended time periods (up to 3 weeks) without a tender and it starts fine... hummm knock on wood after that statement!
I'd be inclined to "charge" the battery and see what happens before buying new! Besides you're still under warranty so I'd try the dealer "before" spending your own money for new battery! If the battery is bad they'll replace it no or a very small amount?
I'd still like to know why some vettes can sit without a battery tender for extended time periods while others can hardly make a week? There has to be some electronic gremlin that GM nor anyone else has found IMO. The "only" time I ever use a battery tender is over the winter when the car is being stored. Good luck and let us know what happens....
Unless you started with a bad battery (quite possible) it shouldn't be shot after 2 years of use. I have an 06 and leave mine for extended time periods (up to 3 weeks) without a tender and it starts fine... hummm knock on wood after that statement!
I'd be inclined to "charge" the battery and see what happens before buying new! Besides you're still under warranty so I'd try the dealer "before" spending your own money for new battery! If the battery is bad they'll replace it no or a very small amount?
I'd still like to know why some vettes can sit without a battery tender for extended time periods while others can hardly make a week? There has to be some electronic gremlin that GM nor anyone else has found IMO. The "only" time I ever use a battery tender is over the winter when the car is being stored. Good luck and let us know what happens....
I think that with the complexity of the succeeding years' electronics, this is just the way it is. I noticed, unless I"m imagining things, that suddenly last night as I was driving, my HUD is getting smaller. I seem to recall that means the internals are being shaken loose or something like that. Just another one of those electronic things.
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Instructor
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 192
Likes: 0
From: Windermere Fl
My 2008 with about 7,000 miles has had this problem a couple of times. First time I charged the battery and took to the dealer for a complete electrical check. Everything checked out fine, but three weeks later it would not start. Back to dealer, everything fine, but I had them replace the battery under warranty. We'll see how long this lasts.
Thread Starter
Advanced
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 64
Likes: 0
From: Cleveland Ohio
Went out to start the Vette on Thursday and got nothing. Should have been suspicious when I closed the door and the window didn't index back up to the fully closed position. Put the foot on the brake to start her up and nothing. Had to use the floor lever to open the door to get out. Now I'm charging the battery and I'm wondering what to expect from here. She's a 2007 with only 3300 miles, but I start her up every two weeks since she came home new from the factory. I've read the FAQ threads regarding dead batteries but now I'm wondering if I should just replace the original or give it 24 hours on the charger and hope for the best. I have never used a trickle charger on her but maybe putting the charger on 2amp mode is something I should get used to. What do you all think?
I ordered a Deltran Battery Tender so that this doesn't happen to the Vette again, but this is very concerning since this is the first time that the battery died. I don't remember if I left the accessory switch on when I shut it down before the battery died. I am certain that now it is off. Goofy thing is that I get lights on when I open the doors or the rear hatch (using the key and the cables to open them). The red security light is flashing and it seems as if all things are go, except for the fact that the doors won't open and the darn thing is dead silent when pressiing the start button... very frustrating....
Team Owner
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 27,420
Likes: 64
From: San Clemente CA
So I've had the battery charger on all day. The battery has taken a charge but there is no capability of opening the doors or starting the car yet. I've unplugged the ol' Sears charger (12V/6AMP) for the night because I'm leery of leaving it on overnight. I'll plug it back in tomorrow, but how long should I let it charge before I determine that the battery is officially dead?
I ordered a Deltran Battery Tender so that this doesn't happen to the Vette again, but this is very concerning since this is the first time that the battery died. I don't remember if I left the accessory switch on when I shut it down before the battery died. I am certain that now it is off. Goofy thing is that I get lights on when I open the doors or the rear hatch (using the key and the cables to open them). The red security light is flashing and it seems as if all things are go, except for the fact that the doors won't open and the darn thing is dead silent when pressiing the start button... very frustrating....
I ordered a Deltran Battery Tender so that this doesn't happen to the Vette again, but this is very concerning since this is the first time that the battery died. I don't remember if I left the accessory switch on when I shut it down before the battery died. I am certain that now it is off. Goofy thing is that I get lights on when I open the doors or the rear hatch (using the key and the cables to open them). The red security light is flashing and it seems as if all things are go, except for the fact that the doors won't open and the darn thing is dead silent when pressiing the start button... very frustrating....
Race Director
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 14,555
Likes: 1,255
From: Saint Albans, WV
Your battery is dead and you should replace it. My original died in 22 months. The original battery is marginal at best. Some last years and others die in months. Get a good battery like an Optima yellow or red top and it will last for many years. My 05 is driven three miles to work 5 days a week which is very hard on a battery. I put a charger once and awhile for a few hours just to make sure it's fully charged. My current Optima Red top is 30 months old and going strong.
Safety Car
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 4,289
Likes: 129
From: Providence Forge, VA
St. Jude Donor '08-'09-'10-'11-'12
Starting it every two weeks will not generally be enough to keep that battery charged so eventually it will run down. I'd buy a new battery, keep it on the Battery Tender when its not being driven, you won't have any more problems. Your Owners Manual says remove the neg terminal if not driving for 25 days or more but that's with a fully charged battery. If its already weak, that time gets reduced more and more.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 6,421
Likes: 200
From: Wilkes-Barre Pa
I had a dead battery within 6 months from only driving it every other weekend. Now I disconnect the battery and haven't had a problem in the 2.5 years since.
Before the vette I owned a RX8 that did the exact same thing. Even with everything turned off that you can there is still some draw on the battery that will deplete it over time.
Before the vette I owned a RX8 that did the exact same thing. Even with everything turned off that you can there is still some draw on the battery that will deplete it over time.
Thread Starter
Advanced
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 64
Likes: 0
From: Cleveland Ohio
I had a dead battery within 6 months from only driving it every other weekend. Now I disconnect the battery and haven't had a problem in the 2.5 years since.
Before the vette I owned a RX8 that did the exact same thing. Even with everything turned off that you can there is still some draw on the battery that will deplete it over time.
Before the vette I owned a RX8 that did the exact same thing. Even with everything turned off that you can there is still some draw on the battery that will deplete it over time.
I have also decided that it's reign as a garage queen is over. Still not going to take it out in the winter or on a decidedly rainy day, but I am going to drive it more.
Instructor
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 169
Likes: 0
From: Tucson AZ
I haven't had any probs with my 08 in it's first year and a half even in the AZ heat. It is a 6sp manual and I always make sure that it is in reverse with the parking brake engaged when I park it to prevent current draw. Also, if you have M2W exhaust control, make sure you leave the exhaust butterfly valve open when it is parked; again to prevent current draw. ---John
Safety Car
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 4,024
Likes: 13
From: Loveland CO to Central Coast CA
So I pulled the battery and I decided that I'll take it back to the dealer for a warranty (pro-rated) replacement on another AC Delco. Since I bought the the Battery Tender Plus I figured I'll give it one more chance with the tender and a stock battery before I spend $200 on an Optima. With the car still under warranty...what the heck....why not?
Drifting
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 1,549
Likes: 2
From: Cambridge Illinois
$20 tender at Wallyworld. Plug it in when you park the car and only remove it when you pull out of the garage. I have a small collections of Sports cars and motorcycles for many years and never had a single problem. This will also more than double the life of a battery.
It's called TCB (taking care of business) It simply over time saves $ and troubles. What it there is a power outage you say. I have a whole house standby generator that runs on natural gas and kicks in in 20 seconds.
If you have a car that sits from time to time, learn how to take car of it.
It's called TCB (taking care of business) It simply over time saves $ and troubles. What it there is a power outage you say. I have a whole house standby generator that runs on natural gas and kicks in in 20 seconds.
If you have a car that sits from time to time, learn how to take car of it.