2006 Charging Problem. Please Help.
Thread Starter
5th Gear
Joined: Oct 2020
Posts: 5
Likes: 1
2006 Charging Problem. Please Help.
I have a base 2006 Corvette with 38K miles. When I drive the car the battery discharges. When parked the car is always on a tender. When I go to drive the car the tender will say Full Charge. Or 97% Charged.Allways a high number. Then I will take the car out for a drive and when I bring it back and hook it up to the tender it will say something like 65% charged. Or 43% charged.Or some such number. The longer I drive it the lower the charge will be. I'm afraid to drive very far fearing the battery will completly discharge. I checked the battery with a multi-tester and with everything turned off and the engine not running the read-out is 12.55 with everything turned off and the engine running the read-out is 14.00. I took the car to the dealer and they replaced the Fuse Block and installed a new battery. (Cost $620) This did not fix the problem. Does anyone have any idea's ? What should I check ? I'm not a great mechenic but can do most basic tasks. Any suggestions or help would be greatly appreciated. Thanks in advance.
Safety Car
Joined: Aug 2017
Posts: 4,928
Likes: 2,338
From: Etobicoke (Toronto) Ontario
Why would you not take the car back and at least ask for your money back? Did they say that replacing the fuse block and battery would fix the problem? Do they not warrant their work and parts?
In any case, sure sounds like there’s a problem with the charging system. Either the alternator itself, or the duty cycle is not being commanded properly, or wiring from the alternator, or alternator not grounded properly.
In any case, sure sounds like there’s a problem with the charging system. Either the alternator itself, or the duty cycle is not being commanded properly, or wiring from the alternator, or alternator not grounded properly.
Race Director
Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 11,349
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From: Eastern
It may be a bad diode in the alternator. A corroded or defective alternator diode will faultily continue charging the circuit even when the car off. This, in turn, will drain your car battery.
Advanced
Joined: Sep 2022
Posts: 56
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From: Illinois
Not supplying enough current, not voltage. It was charging at 13.8 volts, I think. But it could not supply enough current to keep it charged.
A corroded battery connection could do the same thing. Make sure the connections are clean. Once terminals are installed on the battery, grease them. Grease prevents that corrosion buildup on the outside of battery connectors.
A corroded battery connection could do the same thing. Make sure the connections are clean. Once terminals are installed on the battery, grease them. Grease prevents that corrosion buildup on the outside of battery connectors.
Racer
Joined: Apr 2022
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1. Check alternator.
2. Check battery connections for corrosion, also look at the cables to see if they are black. If they are cut back until you get to good copper, if it is too much replace cables.
3. Check grounds, also check the connection at the starter.
2. Check battery connections for corrosion, also look at the cables to see if they are black. If they are cut back until you get to good copper, if it is too much replace cables.
3. Check grounds, also check the connection at the starter.
Safety Car
Joined: Aug 2017
Posts: 4,928
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From: Etobicoke (Toronto) Ontario
OP, I gave some suggestions in my post above, but didn’t really elaborate on them. The alternator case needs to be grounded, but there is no grounding wire for that. It depends on grounding through the mounting bracket. The bracket and case are aluminum, which do oxidize, so the points of contact between the alternator, bracket, and block need to be clean in order to provide good electrical contact. It’s pretty straightforward to remove the alternator and bracket and clean up the contact points, so you could start there and eliminate that possible problem. There should also be 0 ohms resistance between the case and the -ve battery terminal. Also check around with local parts stores like Autozone to see if they’ll test your alternator.
Thread Starter
5th Gear
Joined: Oct 2020
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Likes: 1
Thanks for your reply FatsWaller. Before the dealer replaced the battery and the fuse block the car would most of the time just click when I would try to start it. But sometimes it would start. I just never knew when it was goig to start and when it wasn't. The mechenic at the dealership said the fuse block was cracked. Thats why it was replaced. Again, thanks for your reply.
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Safety Car
Joined: Aug 2017
Posts: 4,928
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From: Etobicoke (Toronto) Ontario
Thanks for your reply FatsWaller. Before the dealer replaced the battery and the fuse block the car would most of the time just click when I would try to start it. But sometimes it would start. I just never knew when it was goig to start and when it wasn't. The mechenic at the dealership said the fuse block was cracked. Thats why it was replaced. Again, thanks for your reply.
Thread Starter
5th Gear
Joined: Oct 2020
Posts: 5
Likes: 1
Thanks everyone for your replies. You all have given me a long list of things to check. Hopefully one of them will be the answer. It's a pain having a beautiful convertable Corvette and not be able to drive it because I'm worried about the battery dying and stranding me some place. Thanks again everyone. Hopefully one day I can return the favor.