johnst783

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???

FortMorganAl

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..

johnst783

Not what I was hoping to hear...

Bruze

What was the age/state of charge of the battery in November when you first hooked it up? How long had it sat without being driven or charged?

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.

johnst783

Original battery - car had been started every two weeks prior to move with no issues.

FortMorganAl

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.

919cw313

^ Yup, six years is good for a battery. And get a battery maintainer.

johnst783

I believe that is whT the Weathertech device is supppsed to do - maintain the battery’s charge while it sits.

J3TVETTE

Battery is done

Bruze

FWIW: A lot of people use the term charger generically when they could mean a charger or maintainer, not sure about the OP.

NY09C6

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.

User Omega

I think you are correct. I had a guy get pissy over this very thing not long ago when I told him he should be using a float (he said a charger).

Jimmy W1

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.

Too-Fast

Been using maintainers on my vettes for years, for 5-6mos with zero issues, I agree with everyone else, you need a new battery.

Bruze

I'm one of them.

Summertime, I'm either out in the car, or it is home here on a "charg" . . . err . . . maintainer.

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.

pure zen

I have been using three Battery Tender Plus models for a dozen years on my cars,,,,some on for 6-8 months time, with no issues.

FortMorganAl

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".

ruxvette

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...

John Harry

Unless it was driven for a half hour or so, starting the car every two weeks is not good for the battery.

Bruze

That's absolutely true. It could kill the battery quicker than if it was never started.