Battery charger nightmare
#1
Battery charger nightmare
Mid-November I hooked up a WeatherTech trickle charger to my 2011 Corvette with less than 10,000 miles on it. Returned for Christmas - car started fine but shortly after starting Service alerts popped up including “service abs system”; “service traction control system”; “service stability control system”.... I let the car sit overnight and then started her again and drove about 10 miles until everything came back including Check Engine Light... The good news is the car drives fine. My shop in NY says that charger voltage may have spiked causing the warning messages and likely all that needs to be done is to clear the codes. Has anyone experienced this when using trickle charger???
#2
Le Mans Master
A trickle charger left on a battery for 6 weeks is going to destroy that battery. When the charger is removed the battery voltage is then going to be very low which causes many codes on these cars. I somewhat agree that clearing the codes may be all that is necessary but spikes in voltage will NOT cause codes. Spikes will destroy electronics and that will require replacement of the modules that have been damaged..
#4
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Mid-November I hooked up a WeatherTech trickle charger to my 2011 Corvette with less than 10,000 miles on it. Returned for Christmas - car started fine but shortly after starting Service alerts popped up including “service abs system”; “service traction control system”; “service stability control system”.... I let the car sit overnight and then started her again and drove about 10 miles until everything came back including Check Engine Light... The good news is the car drives fine. My shop in NY says that charger voltage may have spiked causing the warning messages and likely all that needs to be done is to clear the codes. Has anyone experienced this when using trickle charger???
The charger "spiking" wouldn't have anything to do with anything after it's disconnected and the car is started, I wouldn't think.
I'm guessing the battery was probably weak in the beginning (charging is only a band-aid fix) and you need a new one.
EDIT: I see Ft. Mg Al already answered you. Listen to him.
Last edited by Bruze; 01-13-2018 at 05:58 PM.
#6
Le Mans Master
There's your problem. 6 year old battery in a C6 that has not been on a maintainer is going to be on it's last legs. Replace the battery and reset the codes. Should be fine. Most auto parts places should reset codes for free. Investing in a $25 code reader so you could do it yourself would be an even better once in a lifetime investment that will save a lot in the future. Then put that trickle charger on a shelf somewhere and get a battery tender/maintainer.
#7
Le Mans Master
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^ Yup, six years is good for a battery. And get a battery maintainer.
#11
Le Mans Master
Post a link to the "trickle charger". If you bought it recently it's likely a charger/maintainer and did not hurt your battery.
A battery at 6 years in these cars is generally end of life and the cause of your trouble.
A battery at 6 years in these cars is generally end of life and the cause of your trouble.
Last edited by NY09C6; 01-13-2018 at 07:38 PM.
#13
There are dozens of guys on here who leave maintainers on their cars all year long. I agree that it's time for a new battery. 10mm socket on the battery bolt I imagine.
Good luck.
Good luck.
#15
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Summertime, I'm either out in the car, or it is home here on a
During the winter the "M" is constantly hooked up. The barn space it sits in is not heated so the battery is exposed to ambient temps -- 0ş F. or lower.
FWIW: In July 2014 (two months after I bought the car) it wouldn't start in my front yard. Yeah I know, lucky me. Got a new off-brand battery from the local indy parts store. I had it load-tested last summer, it was fine after 3˝ seasons.
I may replace it this summer just for the heck of it. We'll see . . .
The car was seven years old when I bought it, had 23k miles. I'm guessing the Delco battery was the original -- although only if the previous owners kept it on a maintainer during the winter when it wasn't being driven (car has no evidence of salt exposure).
If they just parked it for seven winters and forgot about it til spring, then maybe the battery I took out wasn't the original.
#16
#17
Le Mans Master
If it is this one - http://www.weathertech.com/weathertech-battery-charger/ personally I think 4A is WAY too much. I prefer the 0.75A max of a Battery Tender Jr. because the slower you charge a battery the less damage you will do to it. If you have to have a fast charge to get to work then get a real fast charger.
I am also leery of the statement "Delivers charge at a constant rate of 4 Amperes" That is the inexpensive way to design a charger and not the best for the battery. Constant voltage throughout the charging process will give the least hydrolysis. But at least it isn't a "trickle charger".
I am also leery of the statement "Delivers charge at a constant rate of 4 Amperes" That is the inexpensive way to design a charger and not the best for the battery. Constant voltage throughout the charging process will give the least hydrolysis. But at least it isn't a "trickle charger".
#18
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Get a new battery from somebody like Autozone and have them pull the codes. I had a similar issue and the spike knocked out my ECM which, among other things, controls the fan. Let the car idle for a few minutes and you'll find out if the fan is working...