Battery Problem
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 325
Likes: 0
From: Reston Virginia
Battery Problem
Good news is that my first coat of RejeX has been applied allllll over. That took a few hours but I'm pretty pleased with the results and can't wait to see it tomorrow morning.
The bad news is that I think the battery might be shot. The previous owner told me when I got it that it tends to just die occasionally and to be prepared to jump it. Well, I took it to the beach (~250 mile trip) the weekend before last, got up one morning, washed it while the radio was on, and then the battery was already dead.
Speed ahead to a couple nights ago. I did the aux mod on my XM receiver and did some testing with the radio. Tonight I went to move the car so I could wash it and the battery was dead AGAIN. Jumped it, took it for a short spin, came back and washed it. After I was done waxing it, I went to move it and it was already dead.
Two questions:
1) It's an AC Delco battery with no dates on it as far as I can see, and it's a 2006 C6. Is it reasonable to assume that this is the factory battery?
2) Should I just say screw it and go get another battery tonight from Wal-Mart?
The bad news is that I think the battery might be shot. The previous owner told me when I got it that it tends to just die occasionally and to be prepared to jump it. Well, I took it to the beach (~250 mile trip) the weekend before last, got up one morning, washed it while the radio was on, and then the battery was already dead.
Speed ahead to a couple nights ago. I did the aux mod on my XM receiver and did some testing with the radio. Tonight I went to move the car so I could wash it and the battery was dead AGAIN. Jumped it, took it for a short spin, came back and washed it. After I was done waxing it, I went to move it and it was already dead.
Two questions:
1) It's an AC Delco battery with no dates on it as far as I can see, and it's a 2006 C6. Is it reasonable to assume that this is the factory battery?
2) Should I just say screw it and go get another battery tonight from Wal-Mart?
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 325
Likes: 0
From: Reston Virginia
One additional question.... I thought someone here said that you didn't actually have to park in reverse in order to save on battery, but just as a refresher.... do you actually have to put it in reverse or is 1st alright?
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 2,673
Likes: 9
From: Upstate New York
I think only the '05s had the park in reverse thing. As for it being the original battery - probably, unless there was a warranty claim and the dealer replaced it with another AC Delco...or the owner went out and bought a Delco battery, which is unlikely given all the choices.
Safety Car
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 4,974
Likes: 148
From: Magnolia Texas
'06 doesn't have to be parked in reverse. that was corrected after the '05 model year.
as for the battery, its shot - go get another one of your choice and install it now. as for type, all sorts of threads on that. just make sure you get the right size and design to fit and use in your car. lots of electronic things that eat power quickly!
good luck!
as for the battery, its shot - go get another one of your choice and install it now. as for type, all sorts of threads on that. just make sure you get the right size and design to fit and use in your car. lots of electronic things that eat power quickly!
good luck!
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 325
Likes: 0
From: Reston Virginia
'06 doesn't have to be parked in reverse. that was corrected after the '05 model year.
as for the battery, its shot - go get another one of your choice and install it now. as for type, all sorts of threads on that. just make sure you get the right size and design to fit and use in your car. lots of electronic things that eat power quickly!
good luck!
as for the battery, its shot - go get another one of your choice and install it now. as for type, all sorts of threads on that. just make sure you get the right size and design to fit and use in your car. lots of electronic things that eat power quickly!
good luck!
Now, correct me if I'm wrong, but as long as I'm moving the car a few times each week, I shouldn't have a reason for a tender. I guess maybe the thing is just completely shot at this point since it's not holding a charge.
Safety Car
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 4,974
Likes: 148
From: Magnolia Texas
I drive my car two to three times a week on average but do so for over an hours at least. I do not use a tender and am going on my third year with the OEM battery. thing to remember is that it takes a good 20-30 minutes of driving at 1500+ RPM to replace the charge used to start the car. if you only do short and infrequent trips, a tender may help you extend the life of the battery. since I live in the country, even going to the store means a good hour of highway "charging".
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 325
Likes: 0
From: Reston Virginia
I drive my car two to three times a week on average but do so for over an hours at least. I do not use a tender and am going on my third year with the OEM battery. thing to remember is that it takes a good 20-30 minutes of driving at 1500+ RPM to replace the charge used to start the car. if you only do short and infrequent trips, a tender may help you extend the life of the battery. since I live in the country, even going to the store means a good hour of highway "charging".
My final question (sorry, I searched everywhere here for it).... is how to remove the battery. I noticed 1 bolt directly in front of the battery, but I have a feeling it's probably not as easy as that to get out.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 2,655
Likes: 5
From: Brea CA
ah..
Good news is that my first coat of RejeX has been applied allllll over. That took a few hours but I'm pretty pleased with the results and can't wait to see it tomorrow morning.
The bad news is that I think the battery might be shot. The previous owner told me when I got it that it tends to just die occasionally and to be prepared to jump it. Well, I took it to the beach (~250 mile trip) the weekend before last, got up one morning, washed it while the radio was on, and then the battery was already dead.
Speed ahead to a couple nights ago. I did the aux mod on my XM receiver and did some testing with the radio. Tonight I went to move the car so I could wash it and the battery was dead AGAIN. Jumped it, took it for a short spin, came back and washed it. After I was done waxing it, I went to move it and it was already dead.
Two questions:
1) It's an AC Delco battery with no dates on it as far as I can see, and it's a 2006 C6. Is it reasonable to assume that this is the factory battery?
2) Should I just say screw it and go get another battery tonight from Wal-Mart?
The bad news is that I think the battery might be shot. The previous owner told me when I got it that it tends to just die occasionally and to be prepared to jump it. Well, I took it to the beach (~250 mile trip) the weekend before last, got up one morning, washed it while the radio was on, and then the battery was already dead.
Speed ahead to a couple nights ago. I did the aux mod on my XM receiver and did some testing with the radio. Tonight I went to move the car so I could wash it and the battery was dead AGAIN. Jumped it, took it for a short spin, came back and washed it. After I was done waxing it, I went to move it and it was already dead.
Two questions:
1) It's an AC Delco battery with no dates on it as far as I can see, and it's a 2006 C6. Is it reasonable to assume that this is the factory battery?
2) Should I just say screw it and go get another battery tonight from Wal-Mart?
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Burning Brakes
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 1,129
Likes: 29
From: Lakewood Ranch Florida
Yes, get a new battery. AND by all means, get a Deltran "Battery Tender." I have over 20 years experience using these devices and I'm here to tell you that you'll be a much happier camper if you use one. Longer battery life and importantly, confidence that you wont get stuck unexpectedly by dead battery syndrome (DBS). Since my vert sleeps 4 winter months and since I typically drive the car only on weekends the remaining months, I use the tender whenever I"m not driving the car. Hookup takes seconds. Cheap insurance.
For what its worth, late model corvettes are notorious for battery drain and DBS. Given all the other gizmos that drain the battery when the car's not running, its probably not a good idea to play the radio when washing the car and its "off."
Save the Wave
For what its worth, late model corvettes are notorious for battery drain and DBS. Given all the other gizmos that drain the battery when the car's not running, its probably not a good idea to play the radio when washing the car and its "off."
Save the Wave
Safety Car
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 4,024
Likes: 13
From: Loveland CO to Central Coast CA
That is, IIRC, you have to buy the clamp assembly to get a replacement nut. Someone correct me if I'm wrong.
So don't drop the nut. Anyway, no need to remove it. Just loosen it enough to loosen the clamp.
And, to make sure it's fully charged, put your new battery on a tender.
More tips: http://forums.corvetteforum.com/c6-t...rocedures.html
"Best" replacement battery: http://forums.corvetteforum.com/c6-c...t-battery.html
More battery discussion and tons of links: http://forums.corvetteforum.com/c6-c...ocked-out.html
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 325
Likes: 0
From: Reston Virginia
The nut that tightens the clamp on the battery terminal is a specialty item. Not a typical nut -- it's rounded on the bottom -- and is rumored to be irreplaceable.
That is, IIRC, you have to buy the clamp assembly to get a replacement nut. Someone correct me if I'm wrong.
So don't drop the nut. Anyway, no need to remove it. Just loosen it enough to loosen the clamp.
And, to make sure it's fully charged, put your new battery on a tender.
More tips: http://forums.corvetteforum.com/c6-t...rocedures.html
"Best" replacement battery: http://forums.corvetteforum.com/c6-c...t-battery.html
More battery discussion and tons of links: http://forums.corvetteforum.com/c6-c...ocked-out.html
That is, IIRC, you have to buy the clamp assembly to get a replacement nut. Someone correct me if I'm wrong.
So don't drop the nut. Anyway, no need to remove it. Just loosen it enough to loosen the clamp.
And, to make sure it's fully charged, put your new battery on a tender.
More tips: http://forums.corvetteforum.com/c6-t...rocedures.html
"Best" replacement battery: http://forums.corvetteforum.com/c6-c...t-battery.html
More battery discussion and tons of links: http://forums.corvetteforum.com/c6-c...ocked-out.html
Anyway, I was having a bit of a dumb moment and was thinking that the battery was somehow strapped down, which is why I was asking for advice. Dumb me
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 325
Likes: 0
From: Reston Virginia
Update
Struggled a little to get the negative connector off the terminal but after that it was a piece of cake to get the battery out. Went by the Interstate dealer and from what I gathered he wanted $103 for another 590CCA.
I was a little disappointed so I ventured off to Walmart to see what they had. A quick search here led me to a post from someone who purchased a 34 series Everstart which is rated at 900CCA. Yeah, it's going to block the cabin air filter but I just replaced that yesterday
.
Now, I read a couple posts saying I should charge it before putting it in so that the alternator doesn't have to do a ton of work, but I also read a few counter posts saying you didn't need to. Should I just put it in cold or should I actually charge it first?
Struggled a little to get the negative connector off the terminal but after that it was a piece of cake to get the battery out. Went by the Interstate dealer and from what I gathered he wanted $103 for another 590CCA.
I was a little disappointed so I ventured off to Walmart to see what they had. A quick search here led me to a post from someone who purchased a 34 series Everstart which is rated at 900CCA. Yeah, it's going to block the cabin air filter but I just replaced that yesterday
. Now, I read a couple posts saying I should charge it before putting it in so that the alternator doesn't have to do a ton of work, but I also read a few counter posts saying you didn't need to. Should I just put it in cold or should I actually charge it first?
Team Owner
Joined: Sep 2000
Posts: 25,001
Likes: 2,701
From: Far NW 'burbs of Chicago
St. Jude Donor '13
The importance of pre-charging the new battery depends on how much charge is already in it, and you probably don't know that.
I'd say to charge it if practical, if not practical then just start and go.
Taking long road trips is good for your battery, your engine, and your soul.
I'd say to charge it if practical, if not practical then just start and go.
Taking long road trips is good for your battery, your engine, and your soul.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 2,673
Likes: 9
From: Upstate New York
The importance of pre-charging the new battery depends on how much charge is already in it, and you probably don't know that.
I'd say to charge it if practical, if not practical then just start and go.
Taking long road trips is good for your battery, your engine, and your soul.
I'd say to charge it if practical, if not practical then just start and go.
Taking long road trips is good for your battery, your engine, and your soul.
