All,

Short version: 2011 GS Vert. Went to start the car today. Haven't touched her in three weeks. Completely dead! Wouldn't even open. Connected battery charger. Negative to engine block screw, positive to bolt under fuse box.

Been charging for about 15-20 minutes. Now when I try to start her, it clicks like it wants to start but nothing turns over. Any ideas? Do I have to charge the car longer?

Freaking out!!!! First/only issue with her so far.

Thanks for the help.

Joe

 

15-20 minutes for a completely dead car? yes, you have to wait longer for it to charge. about 5 hours, depending on the charger and the batt's condition.

note to you: buy, and use a batt. maintainer, all the time when you park the car for more than a few days. not really needed for short days' rest, but it can't hurt.

 

Need to charge it longer-

Best thing I ever bought for my cars are battery tenders. I have had multiple people tell me that you will change cars before you change the battery if you use a tender. I bought a truck new in the fall of '02 and still have the orig battery in it- don't think to many folks with out tenders can say that.

 

 

Thanks everyone. You all were correct. I needed to be a little more patient and let her charge longer. Finally cranked up. Took her for a 10-15 mile spin, turned off, and it started back up. Probably going to take her to work tomorrow to get her out of the garage. Will definitely have to invest in a battery tender.

Thanks again!

 

Still on my original 2005 and I don't use a tender. At t his point now would it make any difference?

 

 

You've got a freak under the hood! Lucky duck.

 

I may get a Cartek 3300 but I don't know at this point if it will make a difference on the current 2005 battery I have. I can use that battery tender on my other car.

 

You can buy a Battery Tender Plus a little cheaper than CTEK. My car wouldn't last a week without my Battery Tender. But Battery Tender or CTEK work the same.

 

I like the features and size of that unit. Has something like 8 steps to recondition battery as advertised?

 

Both are "reconditioners". The Battery Tender has a very simple 2 light system while the CTEK has multiple lights. One has absolutly no advantage over the other. It's the American way.....choice.

 

Joe,

The expectation is that a fully charged battery can last for about 27 days on average without starting. If you are going to leave it longer than that, invest in a battery tender. Where things get complicated is folks don't put the car away with a full charge. It won't make it that 27 days if that is the case. It can take as much as 30 minutes to replenish the charge that is used in the simple act of opening the doors and starting the car. Those that start the car, drive around the block and put the car away again for that quick driving fix (not saying this is your case, just for reference). Do that every day and you will find a dead battery sometime in the second or third week as each time they start and drive a short distance they are using more power than they are replacing.

The problem is also not just with Corvette but most modern cars with all of the additional electronics. However, most other cars don't sit for weeks on end. You would find that many of todays cars would suffer the same fate if left untouched for a month. My 2005 has gone well past three weeks a number of times without a tender and started without hesitation. I'm still using the original battery in my car and as of two years ago I now elect to use a tender if the car will sit longer than two weeks. I must be doing something right as I still have the original battery and it holds a charge and starts the car just fine. Drive the car like most use their daily drivers and put 40 or 50 or more miles per day and the battery becomes less of an issue.

 

Thanks Talon90! Since my car is not my daily driver, I went ahead with the recommendations and ordered a CTEK 3300. Figure I might as well. I definitely think you're on the right track. The last time I used her was to wash her. Spent about 4 hours with the radio on, then parked her. Probably not a smart thing. I guess you live and learn. Thanks for the help. Joe

 

Just a heads-up: IMO the easiest way to connect the CTEK is with their "56-263 Comfort Connect Cig Plug".

http://forums.corvetteforum.com/c6-c...r-hook-up.html

 

and also note, Joe, that with the ctek (which I have), every time you re-connect it, you have to push the buttons to get it to the proper setting. my old schumacher, you just pushed it into the lighter and it worked. if you do that with the ctek, a light will appear, but it won't be on any setting to charge.

 

How does it work with CTEK 3300 if you hook it up directly to battery and lower hood on top of cord but don't shut hood where it locks?

 

As long as you don't compress the wires you should be fine.

 

When I first got my CTEK, I connected it directly to the battery.

Now I use the cig adapter. It's more convenient for me. And I'm less likely to drive off with the CTEK still connected.

 

"We don't need no stinking buttons!"



I've got the Corvette-branded version, no buttons.
I'm guessing that GM figured any time you have a choice, you can make the wrong choice.
Not an issue for you, but others...