dead battery drain problem
Thread Starter
5th Gear
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 5
Likes: 0
dead battery drain problem
I have a 2006 c6 convertible. I do not drive it daily. If it sits for more than 3-5 days without driving daily the battery goes dead. I have removed all types of lights, switches, modules, etc. and it is driving me crazy. This is the only thing that pulled up on carfax that at 3000 miles it was jump started and again shortly there after. I installed a brand new DIEHARD and believe this is killing this battery as well. Does anyone know what to do next?
Safety Car
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 4,024
Likes: 13
From: Loveland CO to Central Coast CA
Let's assume your C6 has no elec issues (not necessarily a good assumption -- you may have to get it checked at the dealer).
When it sits 3-5 days, the C6 electronics drain the battery.
If you just drive a short distance, the battery drains further. That's because the C6 recharge system is marginal and takes ~30 minutes of driving to replace the energy used to start the car.
If you just run short stop-and-restart errands, you're killing the battery.
The OEM battery is not a deep-charge design. So each time it dies, it never recovers full capacity. And will die quicker again.
To prevent problems in a healthy C6, get a battery tender/maintainer. It will keep your battery charged -- especially important for less-frequent winter use & colder temps. And its maintainance cycle will give you max battery life.
It might also hide elec problems which can prematurely kill your battery. Some possibilities and many related threads: http://forums.corvetteforum.com/c6-c...ocked-out.html
When it sits 3-5 days, the C6 electronics drain the battery.
If you just drive a short distance, the battery drains further. That's because the C6 recharge system is marginal and takes ~30 minutes of driving to replace the energy used to start the car.
If you just run short stop-and-restart errands, you're killing the battery.
The OEM battery is not a deep-charge design. So each time it dies, it never recovers full capacity. And will die quicker again.
To prevent problems in a healthy C6, get a battery tender/maintainer. It will keep your battery charged -- especially important for less-frequent winter use & colder temps. And its maintainance cycle will give you max battery life.
It might also hide elec problems which can prematurely kill your battery. Some possibilities and many related threads: http://forums.corvetteforum.com/c6-c...ocked-out.html
Le Mans Master
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 5,606
Likes: 88
From: Sammamish WA
I have a 2006 c6 convertible. I do not drive it daily. If it sits for more than 3-5 days without driving daily the battery goes dead. I have removed all types of lights, switches, modules, etc. and it is driving me crazy. This is the only thing that pulled up on carfax that at 3000 miles it was jump started and again shortly there after. I installed a brand new DIEHARD and believe this is killing this battery as well. Does anyone know what to do next?
I would recommend a Deltran Battery Tender - even a Jr model - and keep it on your battery when you're not driving it. I'm still on the OEM battery in my '07 after 3-1/2 years and it works just fine.
Still, it sounds like there is something else going on here.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 2,655
Likes: 5
From: Brea CA
Well
I have a 2006 c6 convertible. I do not drive it daily. If it sits for more than 3-5 days without driving daily the battery goes dead. I have removed all types of lights, switches, modules, etc. and it is driving me crazy. This is the only thing that pulled up on carfax that at 3000 miles it was jump started and again shortly there after. I installed a brand new DIEHARD and believe this is killing this battery as well. Does anyone know what to do next?
Racer
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 383
Likes: 15
From: CA
2005 dbs
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.
Instructor
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 196
Likes: 0
From: South St Paul Minnesota
Do a search on dead battery, there is a lot of info on this topic. After doing a search, I decided to get a battery tender. I just bought my vette a couple weeks ago so I hope my battery will last.
Team Owner
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 46,295
Likes: 2,596
From: Northern, VA
St. Jude Donor '15
"In honor of jpee"
Let's assume your C6 has no elec issues (not necessarily a good assumption -- you may have to get it checked at the dealer).
When it sits 3-5 days, the C6 electronics drain the battery.
If you just drive a short distance, the battery drains further. That's because the C6 recharge system is marginal and takes ~30 minutes of driving to replace the energy used to start the car.
If you just run short stop-and-restart errands, you're killing the battery.
The OEM battery is not a deep-charge design. So each time it dies, it never recovers full capacity. And will die quicker again.
To prevent problems in a healthy C6, get a battery tender/maintainer. It will keep your battery charged -- especially important for less-frequent winter use & colder temps. And its maintainance cycle will give you max battery life.
It might also hide elec problems which can prematurely kill your battery. Some possibilities and many related threads: http://forums.corvetteforum.com/c6-c...ocked-out.html
When it sits 3-5 days, the C6 electronics drain the battery.
If you just drive a short distance, the battery drains further. That's because the C6 recharge system is marginal and takes ~30 minutes of driving to replace the energy used to start the car.
If you just run short stop-and-restart errands, you're killing the battery.
The OEM battery is not a deep-charge design. So each time it dies, it never recovers full capacity. And will die quicker again.
To prevent problems in a healthy C6, get a battery tender/maintainer. It will keep your battery charged -- especially important for less-frequent winter use & colder temps. And its maintainance cycle will give you max battery life.
It might also hide elec problems which can prematurely kill your battery. Some possibilities and many related threads: http://forums.corvetteforum.com/c6-c...ocked-out.html
After you check out your system and correct anything, the question is do you need a maintainer? The answer is, do you want to start?
Team Owner
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 21,502
Likes: 461
From: Southern Utah
You need to actually measure the current drain on the battery when the car has been sitting for a few minutes to allow the electronics to settle down. The normal drain is from 11 to 17ma and is constantly changing between those values. Then it is simple. If your drain is around that normal range, then it is your driving and sitting schedule that is killing the battery. In this case, a battery tender is your fix. If the drain is higher than that, then your car has a problem. It is then a matter of pulling fuses one at a time in order to track down what circuit is pulling the extra current.
Your other option is to just plug in a battery tender to the car when it is sitting, and not bother with any of the above. Personally, I would rather cure the disease than just treat the symptom, but both courses of action will fix you up. Good luck!
Your other option is to just plug in a battery tender to the car when it is sitting, and not bother with any of the above. Personally, I would rather cure the disease than just treat the symptom, but both courses of action will fix you up. Good luck!
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Burning Brakes
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 1,160
Likes: 0
From: Mesquite Texas
my 2005 was in the dealership for 3 days trying to figure out what caused the dead battery syndrome, all to no avail. I have read where a corvette is suppose to be able to set for around 14 days and not have a problem starting.
The service manager did advise me to turn on "auto lock and alarm", which I did, and since then I have let my car sit for 5 days in 32 to 45 degree weather and it starts with no problem. So far so good, don't know if it's the answer but for me it seems to be working.
The service manager did advise me to turn on "auto lock and alarm", which I did, and since then I have let my car sit for 5 days in 32 to 45 degree weather and it starts with no problem. So far so good, don't know if it's the answer but for me it seems to be working.
Instructor
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 227
Likes: 0
From: fort worth Texas
2005 died three days ago,thought it was DBS,then remembered that the dealer swapped out the battery a year ago as a precaution. Got a jump, brought it home then did some trouble shooting, found that the battery -neg cable showed signs of corrosion, IE geen deposits on the cables, cleaned those off then applied a anti-corrosion gel, reconnected the cables ,car started right up. it has started every day since
Melting Slicks
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 2,655
Likes: 5
From: Brea CA
ah..
You need to actually measure the current drain on the battery when the car has been sitting for a few minutes to allow the electronics to settle down. The normal drain is from 11 to 17ma and is constantly changing between those values. Then it is simple. If your drain is around that normal range, then it is your driving and sitting schedule that is killing the battery. In this case, a battery tender is your fix. If the drain is higher than that, then your car has a problem. It is then a matter of pulling fuses one at a time in order to track down what circuit is pulling the extra current.
Your other option is to just plug in a battery tender to the car when it is sitting, and not bother with any of the above. Personally, I would rather cure the disease than just treat the symptom, but both courses of action will fix you up. Good luck!
Your other option is to just plug in a battery tender to the car when it is sitting, and not bother with any of the above. Personally, I would rather cure the disease than just treat the symptom, but both courses of action will fix you up. Good luck!
Drifting
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 1,745
Likes: 35
From: Turlock CA
This may have nothing to do with your issue but I had to replace the battery in mine in the first year. Turned out that I was the cause in this case as I was leaving the car keys/fob on the counter in the garage rather than bringing them into the house. They were close enough (I'd like to say within 10' but not sure of the range) to alert the computer and never let it completely shut down which caused enough drain to not be able to start it after a day or two. Over time, the battery was shot.
I still have the keys in the garage but now I toss them into a metal coffee can on the counter which shields their signal. It's been fine for over three years.
Hope you find a cure for yours.
--Dan
I still have the keys in the garage but now I toss them into a metal coffee can on the counter which shields their signal. It's been fine for over three years.
Hope you find a cure for yours.
--Dan
Instructor
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 212
Likes: 73
From: Walnut Creek CA
My battery started dying, in my 2005. I replaced it with the top of the line DieHard which it killed in less than a week.
I took it to the dealer (unfortunately I was out of warranty) and had the try and diagnose it. They couldn't find anything so I had them reflash. That was a year and half ago and I've been good to go ever since.
It cost my 450 for the initial diagnostics and then the reflash,
I took it to the dealer (unfortunately I was out of warranty) and had the try and diagnose it. They couldn't find anything so I had them reflash. That was a year and half ago and I've been good to go ever since.
It cost my 450 for the initial diagnostics and then the reflash,
Tech Contributor
Joined: Oct 1999
Posts: 41,055
Likes: 9,817
From: Charlotte, NC (formerly Endicott, NY)
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
5th Gear
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 5
Likes: 0
From: Fernley Nevada
lojack???
I have a 2006 that I bought with 2500 miles on it. I don't drive it every day and when I would the battery would be dead, sometimes in as little as 3 or 4 days. Took it to the dealership and they put in a new ecm, wouldn't give me a new battery. Same thing, battery was dead in a few days and I'd have to put the charger on it. It was a few weeks before I had time to take it back to the dealership. After working on it for a few hours without success they finally gave me a rental. A few days later they discovered a lojack device stashed up under the dash. It was connected improperly in a circuit and had a constant drain on the battery. I had no idea the device was in the car. The original owner had it installed. They took the lojcak unit out, reconnected the original wiring, and gave me a new battery. Problem solved. It can sit for a month and start right up.
After all that the dealership did the fix under warranty and didn't charge me a thing. They could have very easily charged me because it definitely was not something that they would be obligated to repair under warranty.
They got my business from that day forward.
After all that the dealership did the fix under warranty and didn't charge me a thing. They could have very easily charged me because it definitely was not something that they would be obligated to repair under warranty.
They got my business from that day forward.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 2,396
Likes: 52
From: Sicamous BC
I've struggled with the same as the OP. 
My problem is intermittent, I've measured the current draw...of course when the meter is connected all cct's shut down correctly & I can leave the meter on for 2 weeks.
Disconnect the meter & the problem will intermittently return.
I've been cognizant of my turn off procedure, cannot find it.
My C5 can sit for weeks & start every time.
My problem is intermittent, I've measured the current draw...of course when the meter is connected all cct's shut down correctly & I can leave the meter on for 2 weeks.
Disconnect the meter & the problem will intermittently return.
I've been cognizant of my turn off procedure, cannot find it.
My C5 can sit for weeks & start every time.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 966
Likes: 2
From: New Braunfels Republic of Texas
This may have nothing to do with your issue but I had to replace the battery in mine in the first year. Turned out that I was the cause in this case as I was leaving the car keys/fob on the counter in the garage rather than bringing them into the house. They were close enough (I'd like to say within 10' but not sure of the range) to alert the computer and never let it completely shut down which caused enough drain to not be able to start it after a day or two. Over time, the battery was shot.
I still have the keys in the garage but now I toss them into a metal coffee can on the counter which shields their signal. It's been fine for over three years.
Hope you find a cure for yours.
--Dan
I still have the keys in the garage but now I toss them into a metal coffee can on the counter which shields their signal. It's been fine for over three years.
Hope you find a cure for yours.
--Dan