Dead Battery
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Oct 2010
Posts: 1,057
Likes: 253
From: US-ARMY 1974-1996 Retired ; Oklahoma, City ; Atlanta, Ga: Hephzibah, Ga
Dead Battery
Battery went **** up today. Didn’t recognize the fob and when I push the starter button all I got was the starter ticking noise. Checked it with a voltmeter and it read between 9-10 volts. Checked the starter wires they appear to be OK. Took it out and hand the guy at Auto Zone check it and he said the battery is good but it needs a charge. I left it overnight for a good charge. I bought the battery in August 2012 from them. Within the last couple of months, I’ve driven the car at least twice a week to the store and back about 2 miles round trip. I never had any problems since I replaced the battery in August. Is there some way you can tell if the alternator is charging. Back in the days all you had to do is remove one of the cables and if the car continues to run your alternator was good. Need some advice on how check to see if it is charging the battery.
YES I know I need to drive the car more often. Planning on driving to Atlanta, Ga. then out to Charleston, SC next week.
YES I know I need to drive the car more often. Planning on driving to Atlanta, Ga. then out to Charleston, SC next week.
Instructor
Joined: Nov 2012
Posts: 154
Likes: 0
From: Florida
Uh no........ You don't want to pull the cables off of your car while it is running....... I would guess that since you are making such short trips, maybe you aren't driving the car long enough to replace the juice you used to start the car. From now on, take the "long trip around the barn" and see if that cures your problems. I.E. Drive it a little farther and maybe the battery will get a better recharge. Or, if you are going to continue to drive such short distances, put a charger on you battery every so often. 
Race Director
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 10,468
Likes: 1,149
From: Wayne Township WI
Get & use a battery tender.
The amount of time you're driving it probably isn't enough to recharge. They say it takes minimally 20 minutes following a start-up.
Even when routinely driven these cars are murder on batteries, as it is.
Whenever I've put my tender on following a cruise in excess of 90 minutes, the tender always shows it's charging the battery. Make of that what you will.
Otherwise, any qualified shop can check an alternator's output.
The amount of time you're driving it probably isn't enough to recharge. They say it takes minimally 20 minutes following a start-up.
Even when routinely driven these cars are murder on batteries, as it is.
Whenever I've put my tender on following a cruise in excess of 90 minutes, the tender always shows it's charging the battery. Make of that what you will.
Otherwise, any qualified shop can check an alternator's output.
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Oct 2010
Posts: 1,057
Likes: 253
From: US-ARMY 1974-1996 Retired ; Oklahoma, City ; Atlanta, Ga: Hephzibah, Ga
Thanks for all the advice. I will pick a battery tender today. I will also have them check the charging system and for sure drive it more.
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Team Owner
Joined: Aug 2002
Posts: 35,617
Likes: 167
Tech Contributor
Cruise-In 11 Veteran
NCM Ambassador
St. Jude Donor '05-'06-'07-'10
Driving the car a couple of times a week for 2 miles is actually using more charge from the battery in entry, startup and exit than you are replacing during the drive. You'll likely need just about 30 minutes of driving to replenish what you are using just starting up and getting in. Of course factors like HVAC fan settings, radio, lights, etc. are all variables as are RPM's while driving.
As you've noted, do yourself a favor and get a good battery tender.
As you've noted, do yourself a favor and get a good battery tender.
Team Owner
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 45,273
Likes: 8,545
From: Rochester, NY
Should do it. I have found that hooking up the battery tender is so easy I just keep it hooked up all the time the car is sitting, no matter how long that may be.
Former Vendor
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 18,293
Likes: 137
From: Hazel Green, Wi www.doubledmods.com
St. Jude Donor '12-'13
Ctek MUS 4.3 instock and shipping daily 79.99 shipped and includes the cig lighter plug as well!
This one will also recondition your battery too
http://shop.doubledmods.com/CTEK-MUL...?categoryId=-1
This one will also recondition your battery too
http://shop.doubledmods.com/CTEK-MUL...?categoryId=-1
Melting Slicks
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 2,098
Likes: 8
From: Dayton Ohio
...all you had to do is remove one of the cables and if the car continues to run your alternator was good.
That test may be OK on a 30 year old car, but NEVER do that on a modern vehicle full of expensive control modules and circuit boards. You may induce funky voltage spikes that can cause all sorts of problems.Set your DIC to read battery voltage. You should see 13.5-15 volts while you are cruising down the road.
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Oct 2010
Posts: 1,057
Likes: 253
From: US-ARMY 1974-1996 Retired ; Oklahoma, City ; Atlanta, Ga: Hephzibah, Ga
Hmmm...if a battery isn't fully charged there's no way to accurately test it, so I'm not sure what AutoZone guy was trying to say. You should fully charge the battery and then have it LOAD TESTED to make sure it really is a good battery.
That test may be OK on a 30 year old car, but NEVER do that on a modern vehicle full of expensive control modules and circuit boards. You may induce funky voltage spikes that can cause all sorts of problems.
Set your DIC to read battery voltage. You should see 13.5-15 volts while you are cruising down the road.
That test may be OK on a 30 year old car, but NEVER do that on a modern vehicle full of expensive control modules and circuit boards. You may induce funky voltage spikes that can cause all sorts of problems.Set your DIC to read battery voltage. You should see 13.5-15 volts while you are cruising down the road.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 2,081
Likes: 8
From: San Francisco Bay Area California
Get & use a battery tender.
The amount of time you're driving it probably isn't enough to recharge. They say it takes minimally 20 minutes following a start-up.
Even when routinely driven these cars are murder on batteries, as it is.
Whenever I've put my tender on following a cruise in excess of 90 minutes, the tender always shows it's charging the battery. Make of that what you will.
Otherwise, any qualified shop can check an alternator's output.
The amount of time you're driving it probably isn't enough to recharge. They say it takes minimally 20 minutes following a start-up.
Even when routinely driven these cars are murder on batteries, as it is.
Whenever I've put my tender on following a cruise in excess of 90 minutes, the tender always shows it's charging the battery. Make of that what you will.
Otherwise, any qualified shop can check an alternator's output.
I've used a Battery Tender since the car was new in September of '07. Battery is still good. I'm interested to see just how long it will last.Be sure that you connect the tender to a surge protector when you use it! You will not be sorry if you follow this advice.
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Oct 2010
Posts: 1,057
Likes: 253
From: US-ARMY 1974-1996 Retired ; Oklahoma, City ; Atlanta, Ga: Hephzibah, Ga
Stability Control
Well today makes a year since I bought my 05 Vette in which I had to replace the battery yesterday because I don't drive it enough to keep the battery charged up (battery tender on order: ***** . I notice something today that the Stability Control light came on when I got down on it a little and the tires squealed. Should I have the Stability Control on at all times or just when I want drive a little aggressive?
. I notice something today that the Stability Control light came on when I got down on it a little and the tires squealed. Should I have the Stability Control on at all times or just when I want drive a little aggressive?
Team Owner
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 21,502
Likes: 462
From: Southern Utah
Simple charging system check is that if the voltage displayed on the DIC is above 13.2 when the engine is running, all is well.
When you break the tires loose with power, the traction control and/or the active handling will engage...this is normal. I would suggest leaving it on unless you are on a track.
When you break the tires loose with power, the traction control and/or the active handling will engage...this is normal. I would suggest leaving it on unless you are on a track.
Last edited by cclive; Dec 13, 2012 at 02:40 PM.
Safety Car
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 4,024
Likes: 13
From: Loveland CO to Central Coast CA
From another thread:
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/c6-c...-question.html
For a weekend car, definitely use a good battery maintainer.
You can connect directly to the battery. That's what I did when I first got my CTEK. Then I experimented with other methods.
Bottom Line: IMO it's more convenient to use CTEK's optional outlet adapter. http://www.amazon.com/CTEK-56-263-Co...=pd_sim_auto_1
Either outlet works fine. I use the center console outlet because that's where I store the adapter.
And I leave the lid open as a reminder to disconnect it before driving away.
Just make sure you don't crimp the cord -- it should move easily when the door is closed.
Lots of threads on this topic, like this:
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/c6-c...r-hook-up.html
You can connect directly to the battery. That's what I did when I first got my CTEK. Then I experimented with other methods.
Bottom Line: IMO it's more convenient to use CTEK's optional outlet adapter. http://www.amazon.com/CTEK-56-263-Co...=pd_sim_auto_1
Either outlet works fine. I use the center console outlet because that's where I store the adapter.
And I leave the lid open as a reminder to disconnect it before driving away.
Just make sure you don't crimp the cord -- it should move easily when the door is closed.
Lots of threads on this topic, like this:
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/c6-c...r-hook-up.html
Team Owner
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 27,420
Likes: 64
From: San Clemente CA
Battery went **** up today. Didn’t recognize the fob and when I push the starter button all I got was the starter ticking noise. Checked it with a voltmeter and it read between 9-10 volts. Checked the starter wires they appear to be OK. Took it out and hand the guy at Auto Zone check it and he said the battery is good but it needs a charge. I left it overnight for a good charge. I bought the battery in August 2012 from them. Within the last couple of months, I’ve driven the car at least twice a week to the store and back about 2 miles round trip. I never had any problems since I replaced the battery in August. Is there some way you can tell if the alternator is charging. Back in the days all you had to do is remove one of the cables and if the car continues to run your alternator was good. Need some advice on how check to see if it is charging the battery. YES I know I need to drive the car more often. Planning on driving to Atlanta, Ga. then out to Charleston, SC next week.
YES I know I need to drive the car more often. Planning on driving to Atlanta, Ga. then out to Charleston, SC next week.
1st Gear
Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 1
Likes: 0
Yes, using a tender will solve your problem. These cars seem to drain the battery with minimum use, so have a good quality battery tender at hand and use it frequently. Walmart sells one at a good price and it is quality.