Dead Again!
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 3,248
Likes: 4
From: Palm Beach County, Florida
Dead Again!
My battery was dead again this morning. What a PITA.
I'd left my 09 coupe in the garage for exactly 13 days since the last drive. Left the M2W in the "closed" position. (oops)
Unless I put the thing on life support (my trickle charger) it dies pretty darn quickly regardless. Got the car in August of '08. Almost 5 years ago. Time for a new battery? Other than this PITA, how do I tell?
I'd left my 09 coupe in the garage for exactly 13 days since the last drive. Left the M2W in the "closed" position. (oops)
Unless I put the thing on life support (my trickle charger) it dies pretty darn quickly regardless. Got the car in August of '08. Almost 5 years ago. Time for a new battery? Other than this PITA, how do I tell?
Racer
Joined: Mar 2013
Posts: 276
Likes: 1
From: Cleveland Heights Ohio
5 years is pretty good for the battery in my opinion... Like you said, unless it's on a trickle charge it goes down fast. Have the battery tested, if it's bad the new one will behave more politely at least for a while. If I don't know when I'll drive it next, I try to take the extra minute or two and plug it in. 
Melting Slicks
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 2,359
Likes: 204
From: Sunnyvale CA
I bought my car in August of 08. I am feeling that my battery is getting weak. I am sure if I leave my M2W in closed (on, i.e 150mA) position, I will have an issue on the next start.
Regardless I am planning to change the battery this fall.
Regardless I am planning to change the battery this fall.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 2,143
Likes: 489
From: Leonardtown Maryland
Probably the battery is dieing. Make sure you get one at or above the battery spec size. You can also buy a multimeter with a DC amp setting. Connect it between your battery positive terminal and battery cable. You might need to make a couple of clips. I did a post a while back with the shutdown amp draw on my GS and your 09 might be similar. Bottom line is after about three minutes the current draw on the battery should be less than 13 milliamps (if I remember correctly).
Burning Brakes
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 1,129
Likes: 29
From: Lakewood Ranch Florida
It is time for a new battery (consider it "preventive" maintenance). You also should get a battery MAINTAINER (like a Battery Tender or C Tek, not just a "trickle charger.")
Also, driving the car more often will help avoid dead battery syndrome....and is its own reward.
Also, driving the car more often will help avoid dead battery syndrome....and is its own reward.
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Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 3,248
Likes: 4
From: Palm Beach County, Florida
Just a PITA with the cover and hookup, so more diligence and a new battery are in order........
Drifting
Joined: Mar 2011
Posts: 1,694
Likes: 144
From: on Barnegat Bay Joisey
Just plug the tender into the cigar lighter recepticle. If your tender doesn't have the proper plug get one at your local auto parts store. Make sure the wire lays in the groove in the door sill so you can close the door without damaging the wire.
Cruising
Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 12
Likes: 0
2011 GS and just had dealership replace the battery under warranty. They kept checking for draw on the system and told me they could not find anything. Car would not start for them the next day. They installed a new battery. I will put a tender on mine next winter. I have also started taking the key fobs inside the house to keep the car from searching for them. Not sure how accurate this is, but it was a recommendation from the dealer. I agree...at 4 years, I usually change my vehicle batteries to keep from having that "special moment" when you least expect it.
Moderator emeritus
Joined: Jun 2001
Posts: 18,599
Likes: 3,956
From: Jacksonville Florida BWO Dayton, Cincinnati, Bloomsbury NJ, Cincinnati
2015 C7 of the Year Finalist
This is how I park my car every night. I can leave it as long as I like and no worries. It is a magnetic coupling and will simply pull off if I forget to unhook the charger. Easiest way I've found to get the battery reliability improved.
http://www.ls2.com/forums/showthread.php?t=908428
Elmer
P.S. 5 years is magnificent for a car battery in a Vette!
http://www.ls2.com/forums/showthread.php?t=908428
Elmer
P.S. 5 years is magnificent for a car battery in a Vette!
Melting Slicks
Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 2,715
Likes: 1
From: Central Florida
Works great this way. Is easy and inexpensive....
Pro
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 531
Likes: 10
From: Northford CT
My battery was dead again this morning. What a PITA.
I'd left my 09 coupe in the garage for exactly 13 days since the last drive. Left the M2W in the "closed" position. (oops)
Unless I put the thing on life support (my trickle charger) it dies pretty darn quickly regardless. Got the car in August of '08. Almost 5 years ago. Time for a new battery? Other than this PITA, how do I tell?
I'd left my 09 coupe in the garage for exactly 13 days since the last drive. Left the M2W in the "closed" position. (oops)
Unless I put the thing on life support (my trickle charger) it dies pretty darn quickly regardless. Got the car in August of '08. Almost 5 years ago. Time for a new battery? Other than this PITA, how do I tell?
Team Owner
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 45,283
Likes: 8,559
From: Rochester, NY
Replaced my 5 year old battery a month ago, had it load tested and it was on the low side. Cheap investment for piece of mind. I still put it on the battery tender whenever it is sitting idle, even for a day.
Instructor
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 232
Likes: 30
From: Northern Virginia
Factory batteries are only good for 3 years.my tahoe died 3 years to the month.You dont want a tow truck guy dragging it on a rollback.Interstate and costco batteries i have had good luck with.
Racer
Joined: Apr 2012
Posts: 314
Likes: 4
From: Ontario
Nearly all of our driving is highway and our batteries typically last about eight years. The sealed batteries today do not tolerate being drained completely dead. That's the quickest way to shorten battery life. We just replace the battery in our 2005 Jimmy this year and our 2005 Corvette had the original battery replaced just before we bought the car last year. I understand that with our six speed, If I don't park the car in reverse, not all the electronics are shut down. I always park the car in reverse with the park brake on. All the electronics in these cars makes me just a little nervous.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 2,286
Likes: 566
From: Pittsburgh PA
St. Jude Donor '10-'11-'12-'13-'14