dead battery drain problem
Race Director
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 11,367
Likes: 211
From: Edgewood Washington
St. Jude Donor '11-'12-'13-'14-'15
I leave my FOB in the car all the time when I park in the garage. Are you sure it keeps the computer awake? What is your source of info. The reason I asked is because at 12,000 miles the dealer had to replace my batt on 08 and he said they did a parasitic draw test and found nothing. The putting it in reverse was only the older versions as I recall.
Only '05's have to be put in reverse.
The computer searches for the presence of the fob only when it's asked to do so, like trying to open a door and trunk, or starting the car.
The fob being in or near the car does not keep the computer up and running and drawing excessive power.
At least that's the simplified explanation as I recall from Forum Guru Talon90.
My '06 A6 with the OEM battery still in, has sat for as long as 3 weeks and still started up. Granted this wasn't the dead of winter, but if the battery is only lasting a few days, something is definitely wrong.
I normally have mine on a battery tender if it's going to sit for more than a few days.
Racer
Joined: Apr 2003
Posts: 342
Likes: 0
From: Shrewsbury MA
DBS is not an option on a $60K car
I've had the very same problem. Die hard corvette fans will tell you its your fault and make all kinds of excuses for the beloved corvette, as will the dealerships. A $54,000 car should start after leaving it parked 21 days, let alone 3-5 days. There is a probelm. My car has been towed to the dealership and I have stood there and listened to their excuses. You might of left a light on, you did not put it in reverse....
I took my car to the dealership and they supposedly "reflashed" the computer. Well, it has happened since the "reflash." To everyone: I put it in reverse and I do not leave lights on! I've bought three new batteries, and it has had a new alternator. It is a great disappointment and I will not buy another corvette. End of story and the end of GM.
I took my car to the dealership and they supposedly "reflashed" the computer. Well, it has happened since the "reflash." To everyone: I put it in reverse and I do not leave lights on! I've bought three new batteries, and it has had a new alternator. It is a great disappointment and I will not buy another corvette. End of story and the end of GM.
I have a 2005 and had DBS 6 times. It took 3 batteries and a re-flash to fix the problem. Dealer never gave me any excuses. The re-flash worked for me.I will NOT put a battery tender on a $60K car. You shouldn't have to put bandaids on expensive cars. Only time I use a tender is when it is in storage, December through March.
Team Owner
Joined: Feb 2000
Posts: 53,529
Likes: 77
From: Arizona
I've had the very same problem. Die hard corvette fans will tell you its your fault and make all kinds of excuses for the beloved corvette, as will the dealerships. A $54,000 car should start after leaving it parked 21 days, let alone 3-5 days. There is a probelm. My car has been towed to the dealership and I have stood there and listened to their excuses. You might of left a light on, you did not put it in reverse....
I took my car to the dealership and they supposedly "reflashed" the computer. Well, it has happened since the "reflash." To everyone: I put it in reverse and I do not leave lights on! I've bought three new batteries, and it has had a new alternator. It is a great disappointment and I will not buy another corvette. End of story and the end of GM.
I took my car to the dealership and they supposedly "reflashed" the computer. Well, it has happened since the "reflash." To everyone: I put it in reverse and I do not leave lights on! I've bought three new batteries, and it has had a new alternator. It is a great disappointment and I will not buy another corvette. End of story and the end of GM.
Race Director
Joined: Aug 1999
Posts: 11,123
Likes: 673
From: SE Pennsylvania
St. Jude Donor '03 thru '26
Oldtimer
Everybody has already said most everything on the battery drain. But when I was younger what we would do 1. disconnect the battery Negitive terminal. 2. Charge the battery till it's at peak charge 3. At night or in a dimmly lit garage, touch the negitive cable to the negitive terminal of the battery. See if you see any lights go on that arn't suppose to, OR see if you hear any relay or electricity conneting some device.
My C5 has a Optima Red Top, and I put a battery float charger on it whenever I'm not going be using it. ! Good Luck.
My C5 has a Optima Red Top, and I put a battery float charger on it whenever I'm not going be using it. ! Good Luck.
Instructor
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 143
Likes: 1
From: Owasso, Okla
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 2,396
Likes: 52
From: Sicamous BC
In agreement with covering the basics that have been outlined here. In some cases the problem is corrected
I believe there are intermittent cases were the solution has not been identified.
Mine for one when you connect a DC current meter is series so you can the actually see current draw in MA as various cct's shut down.........works perfectly every time. I can leave that meter connected for two weeks, then start the car.
Oh & yes with key Fob in close proximity to the car all the cct's shut down correctly. So no to the key Fob must be away from the car....you can leave laying in the car.
Disconnect the meter re attach the battery terminal.....all is good, for a while. Then it sits for a few days & you go to start "Dead Battery"
I have covered the basics, on my third GM Delco battery. Cognizant of my shut down procedure! I know how to run & connect DC current meter in MA.
Yes I have a CTek Tender out of frustration.
I'm convinced there is an intermittent problem & I've somewhat exhausted my troubleshooting idea's.
I pick up on these threads hopping someone has identified this annoying problem.
Tech Contributor
Joined: Oct 1999
Posts: 41,058
Likes: 9,822
From: Charlotte, NC (formerly Endicott, NY)
Yesterday I went out and started my 08Z 4 weeks to the day since the last time it ran. The car has been sitting in a cold garage with temps as low as 15 degrees. The temp in the garage yesterday was 35 degrees yet the engine turned over just like I had shut it down a couple of hours before. No problem starting. The battery is the OEM battery that was installed in the car when it was built two years ago.
Bill
Bill
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 878
Likes: 145
From: Little Egypt, USA
The GM manual says a constant draw of .025a (25ma) or less after all circuts are quiet is acceptable. Anything higher must be fixed.
My 07 draws 18ma. It will discharge a battery if it sits long enough. I use a tender if it sits longer than a couple days and I don't mind because it increases the life of my battery. The draw on the battery is the price we pay for a car loaded with fancy electronic options. If GM could reduce the draw I'm sure they would. Using a tender is no biggie if you run the cable to the grill and park in a garage with power. I would complain a lot more if I had to park on the street but then it probably wouldn't sit long with out being driven.
Remember a drive of only a couple miles is not enough to keep a battery fully charged even if you do it every day with the vettes draw.
My 07 draws 18ma. It will discharge a battery if it sits long enough. I use a tender if it sits longer than a couple days and I don't mind because it increases the life of my battery. The draw on the battery is the price we pay for a car loaded with fancy electronic options. If GM could reduce the draw I'm sure they would. Using a tender is no biggie if you run the cable to the grill and park in a garage with power. I would complain a lot more if I had to park on the street but then it probably wouldn't sit long with out being driven.
Remember a drive of only a couple miles is not enough to keep a battery fully charged even if you do it every day with the vettes draw.
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Team Owner
Joined: Feb 2000
Posts: 53,529
Likes: 77
From: Arizona
Maybe not fully charged, but without serious problems, at least where I live. I drive and drove my C5 and 6 nearly the same few miles nearly every day the last 12 years. And other than DBS the first year or so of C6 ownership, I have had only slightly worse battery troubles/lives than usual compared to all my other vehicles. 3 years of battery life is most typical where I live. The Vettes get/got about 2 1/2-3 years per battery. But I wouldn't be surprised that this would not work in colder climates.
Racer
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 325
Likes: 4
From: Cincinnati
I've got an 04 ZO6,bought new, that I race 5-6 times a year and drive on the street 2 times a year.So the car sits a lot.I start the car ,drive out of garage,load on car hauler,unload at track.So the car doesnt run long.NEVER had a battery problem.I've got an 09 Z51 convertible.Drove car maybe 5 times a week in summer.No battery problems,but when it got colder,too cold to put top down,battery is constantly dead.I am sick and tired of breaking in car,having to jump the car,putting my charger on.I've been reading on the forum for months bout all these vettes with dead batteries.It is absolute crap to have to put a battery charger on a 66,000 dollar car and a 66,000 dollar car can't sit for 3 days and the battery is dead. IT'S CRAP. In the immortal words of Snoop Doggie Dog "Something ain't right"
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 878
Likes: 145
From: Little Egypt, USA
Don't blame the car, blame the people who buy the car. The average C6 is a sports/luxury car mix packed with electronics. GM is only giving the people what they buy.
Most people seem to like electronics. I like electronics so I don't mind using a tender. It only takes 20 sec or less to hook it up after I get out of the car.
If you buy a C6 you will have to get over the tender or trade it for a Viper or a Cobra kit car or something with few fancy electronics. Now some owners will state they never use a tender in any weather/driving habits and never have a problem but I think they are not the majority.
One of the advantages of using a tender is extended battery life. I have been using them for 20 years and buy few battery's. I expect the original battery in my 07 to last a 5 years.
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Most people seem to like electronics. I like electronics so I don't mind using a tender. It only takes 20 sec or less to hook it up after I get out of the car.
If you buy a C6 you will have to get over the tender or trade it for a Viper or a Cobra kit car or something with few fancy electronics. Now some owners will state they never use a tender in any weather/driving habits and never have a problem but I think they are not the majority.
One of the advantages of using a tender is extended battery life. I have been using them for 20 years and buy few battery's. I expect the original battery in my 07 to last a 5 years.
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Last edited by wbear; Jan 23, 2010 at 05:44 PM.
Racer
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 325
Likes: 4
From: Cincinnati
I could be wrong but I'm thinking there are a bunch of vehicles that have a boatload of electronics that are not having this issue. Not all vettes are having this issue. I still say a $ 66,000 car should be able to sit more than 3 days before the battery is dead. A $ 66,000 car shouldnt need a 20 dollar battery tender.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 878
Likes: 145
From: Little Egypt, USA
I could be wrong but I'm thinking there are a bunch of vehicles that have a boatload of electronics that are not having this issue. Not all vettes are having this issue. I still say a $ 66,000 car should be able to sit more than 3 days before the battery is dead. A $ 66,000 car shouldnt need a 20 dollar battery tender.
Id say your battery is toast and they need to give you a new one. Check it out and let us know what you find.
Last edited by wbear; Jan 23, 2010 at 06:03 PM.
Safety Car
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 4,436
Likes: 875
From: Bay Area CA
They can last at least 4 weeks without draining the battery. If the car is draining the battery in less time than that then you are leaving something turned on in the car. With my 08 I always make sure the ignition is turned off and that the map lights on the mirrors are off. When I do that the battery lasts just fine.
Bill
Bill
I have left my 08 for 3-4 weeks and it started right up showing 14.6 volts. During oil changes, I will hook up my Ctek battery charger to make sure the battery stays in a healthy state. Keeping the battery in a healthy state will prolong the life of the battery cells. Once these cells are damanged, the battery will not hold a charge.
Racer
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 325
Likes: 4
From: Cincinnati
3 days is unacceptable. You have a problem that needs a fix. Have you had the dealer test the battery for a possible replacement? Have you tested the draw when everything is off? Is it more than 25ma?
Id say your battery is toast and they need to give you a new one. Check it out and let us know what you find.
Id say your battery is toast and they need to give you a new one. Check it out and let us know what you find.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 878
Likes: 145
From: Little Egypt, USA
Took battery out of car and took it to dealer. It was shot and they replaced it under warrenty.That might not have been the best way to handle it.The weather was crappy here in Ohio. I dont drive the car in the winter.Battery sits in xtra bedroom till spring.Didnt want to put in car and have it get killed by cold weather,so it could be something in car isnt right. I did charge new battery 8 hours when I got it and will charge again in the spring. I'll find out in the spring if it was battery or there is some drain in the car.
If you have a digital volt ohm meter with a 10a range on it (most do) hook it between one of the cables and the battery post when you install the battery this spring and see if you have a draw greater than 25ma. Wait several min before reading the meter to allow the circuits to quiet down. If you do this yourself it will save you from taking it to the dealer for the usual scratches and other damage they happily provide no charge to you.
Last edited by wbear; Jan 24, 2010 at 02:07 PM.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 3,248
Likes: 4
From: Palm Beach County, Florida
Just had my first dead battery the other day. The car had been under it's cover in the garage for 5 weeks. Trickle charged it overnight, and it started fine this morning. I think that it's BS that Corvettes drain batteries the way that they do. I've never had this problem before and I've owned many cars.
Now I will have to go thru the trickle charger nonsense because I want the car to start, the battery to last and don't want to deal with the inability to get in my own damned car.
HEY GM! WAKE THE HECK UP AND FIX THIS PROBLEM! THERE ARE WAAAY TOO MANY PEOPLE ON THIS FORUM WITH DEAD BATTERIES.
Now I will have to go thru the trickle charger nonsense because I want the car to start, the battery to last and don't want to deal with the inability to get in my own damned car.
HEY GM! WAKE THE HECK UP AND FIX THIS PROBLEM! THERE ARE WAAAY TOO MANY PEOPLE ON THIS FORUM WITH DEAD BATTERIES.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 878
Likes: 145
From: Little Egypt, USA
Just had my first dead battery the other day. The car had been under it's cover in the garage for 5 weeks. Trickle charged it overnight, and it started fine this morning. I think that it's BS that Corvettes drain batteries the way that they do. I've never had this problem before and I've owned many cars.
Now I will have to go thru the trickle charger nonsense because I want the car to start, the battery to last and don't want to deal with the inability to get in my own damned car.
HEY GM! WAKE THE HECK UP AND FIX THIS PROBLEM! THERE ARE WAAAY TOO MANY PEOPLE ON THIS FORUM WITH DEAD BATTERIES.
Now I will have to go thru the trickle charger nonsense because I want the car to start, the battery to last and don't want to deal with the inability to get in my own damned car.
HEY GM! WAKE THE HECK UP AND FIX THIS PROBLEM! THERE ARE WAAAY TOO MANY PEOPLE ON THIS FORUM WITH DEAD BATTERIES.
We don't know exactly how many of the 164,000 C6's are experiencing a discharged battery problem but hear a lot about it on the forum.
If your car has the problem I guess you will have to:
1. Use a tender, forget about it and enjoy the car.
2. Drive it every day and enjoy the car.
3. Figure it out, fix the problem yourself and enjoy the car.
3. Trade it off and tell everyone you know C6's suck
Right now I choose #1.