Dead Battery Again Please Help
Thread Starter
Cruising
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 10
Likes: 0
From: Blythe Ca.
Dead Battery Again Please Help
This is the second time my C6 battery has gone dead in less than three weeks. I took it to the dealer the first time(10/29) and it passed all the test with flying colors and they sent me home. The dealer was quick to remind me to always shift to R before turning off the car, however when I went to drive off the lot I found that they had forgot to shift to R. (So I have trust issues.)
Please help if you know of any tricks or areas of concern I might check. Thanks in advance for your time and drive happy.
Please help if you know of any tricks or areas of concern I might check. Thanks in advance for your time and drive happy.
Instructor
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 145
Likes: 0
From: Longview WA
Originally Posted by Cali C6 girl
This is the second time my C6 battery has gone dead in less than three weeks. I took it to the dealer the first time(10/29) and it passed all the test with flying colors and they sent me home. The dealer was quick to remind me to always shift to R before turning off the car, however when I went to drive off the lot I found that they had forgot to shift to R. (So I have trust issues.)
Please help if you know of any tricks or areas of concern I might check. Thanks in advance for your time and drive happy.
Please help if you know of any tricks or areas of concern I might check. Thanks in advance for your time and drive happy.
It's a disease that effects possibly all 2005 C6's with manual transmissions called DBS (dead battery syndrome) There is no known cure and not even a known cause. It has not been able to be consistently reproduced, it crops up every so many shut downs. Happens on day 2 after shut down if it's going to happen. There are lots of threads about it. I think GM, because of this forum has assigned someone to take a look. We will see.
Last edited by BlackMagik; Nov 22, 2005 at 12:48 AM.
Drifting
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 1,266
Likes: 0
From: Naperville, IL
Senior Member
Cruise-In V Veteran
Cruise-In VI Veteran
Cruise-In VII Veteran
Not just manual trans. - my 3 week old 2006 A6 vert battery went dead last weekend. 
Looking at other threads, odd dic messages on shut down seem to be common just before the battery goes dead.
Looking at other threads, odd dic messages on shut down seem to be common just before the battery goes dead.
Team Owner
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 27,420
Likes: 64
From: San Clemente CA
Originally Posted by Cali C6 girl
This is the second time my C6 battery has gone dead in less than three weeks. I took it to the dealer the first time(10/29) and it passed all the test with flying colors and they sent me home. The dealer was quick to remind me to always shift to R before turning off the car, however when I went to drive off the lot I found that they had forgot to shift to R. (So I have trust issues.)
Please help if you know of any tricks or areas of concern I might check. Thanks in advance for your time and drive happy.
Please help if you know of any tricks or areas of concern I might check. Thanks in advance for your time and drive happy.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 1,213
Likes: 0
From: Malibu California
Originally Posted by Devils Elbow
Not just manual trans. - my 3 week old 2006 A6 vert battery went dead last weekend. Looking at other threads, odd dic messages on shut down seem to be common just before the battery goes dead.
Looking at other threads, odd dic messages on shut down seem to be common just before the battery goes dead.
Team Owner
Joined: Feb 2000
Posts: 53,527
Likes: 77
From: Arizona
Originally Posted by Devils Elbow
Not just manual trans. - my 3 week old 2006 A6 vert battery went dead last weekend. Looking at other threads, odd dic messages on shut down seem to be common just before the battery goes dead.
Looking at other threads, odd dic messages on shut down seem to be common just before the battery goes dead.Polls done with '05's show battery failure rate in automatics no dfferent than most other cars.
As far as weird DIC messages, they don't seem to appear with any usable regularity with DBS. What sort of message did you see?
Pro
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 641
Likes: 0
From: Tampa Fl/Afghanistan
While it's not a fix, I ordered a "Priority Start" (yet to receive) device for the battery. Essentially, once it senses the battery is around 11 volts, it disconnects (electronically) from the system. Then, once you get back in and hit the brake, it reconnects the system. Again, not a fix, but certainly better than waiting for "my turn". Cost $50 and bought on Ebay. Installs in about 10 minutes....
Corvette Stories
The Best of Corvette for Corvette Enthusiasts
Top 10 Most Expensive Corvettes Ever Sold on Bring A Trailer
Brett Foote
10 Things Every Corvette Owner Needs (2026 Edition)
Michael S. Palmer
8 Most "Only Corvette Owners Understand" Quirks and Problems
Pouria Savadkouei
10 Reasons the C6 Z06 is Still A Performance Benchmark After 20 Years
Joe Kucinski
How Much Horsepower Every Corvette Engine "LOST" in 1972
Joe Kucinski
Top 10 DOs and DON'Ts for Protecting Your Convertible Top!
Michael S. Palmer
Top 10 Most Explosive Corvettes Ever Made: Power-to-Weight Ratio Ranked!
Joe Kucinski
150 hp to 1,250 hp: Every Corvette Generation Compared by the Specs That Matter
Joe Kucinski
8 Coolest Corvette Pace Cars (and Replicas) of All Time
Verdad Gallardo
Team Owner
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 27,420
Likes: 64
From: San Clemente CA
Originally Posted by huskeric
While it's not a fix, I ordered a "Priority Start" (yet to receive) device for the battery. Essentially, once it senses the battery is around 11 volts, it disconnects (electronically) from the system. Then, once you get back in and hit the brake, it reconnects the system. Again, not a fix, but certainly better than waiting for "my turn". Cost $50 and bought on Ebay. Installs in about 10 minutes....
Team Owner
Joined: Feb 2000
Posts: 53,527
Likes: 77
From: Arizona
Originally Posted by VET4LES
Until GM find's the answer to the DBS I think this is the best solution. When I have my first problem, the priority Start is what I plan on installing.
Maybe if we P & M enough!
Instructor
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 145
Likes: 0
From: Longview WA
Originally Posted by Hoonose
The DBS is an MN6 '05 problem, so far.
Polls done with '05's show battery failure rate in automatics no dfferent than most other cars.
As far as weird DIC messages, they don't seem to appear with any usable regularity with DBS. What sort of message did you see?
Polls done with '05's show battery failure rate in automatics no dfferent than most other cars.
As far as weird DIC messages, they don't seem to appear with any usable regularity with DBS. What sort of message did you see?
I saw the message yesterday. He reported the horn beeped 3 times when he got out and when he came back battery was very low and DIC said "NO FOB DETECTED" Definitely not classic DBS. Sounds like something else.
Team Owner
Joined: Feb 2000
Posts: 53,527
Likes: 77
From: Arizona
Originally Posted by BlackMagik
I saw the message yesterday. He reported the horn beeped 3 times when he got out and when he came back battery was very low and DIC said "NO FOB DETECTED" Definitely not classic DBS. Sounds like something else.
Will the battery drain if not in park, like the MN6 does if not in reverse?
A persitent 'no fob' warning can mean the fob battery is going, and you might need to place the fob in that slot in the glovebox to start the car.
Sometimes cellphones, other car fobs, and electronic doo-dads will interfere and cause a 'no fob detected' state.
Instructor
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 124
Likes: 12
From: Rye N.H.
DBS Issue
Originally Posted by huskeric
While it's not a fix, I ordered a "Priority Start" (yet to receive) device for the battery. Essentially, once it senses the battery is around 11 volts, it disconnects (electronically) from the system. Then, once you get back in and hit the brake, it reconnects the system. Again, not a fix, but certainly better than waiting for "my turn". Cost $50 and bought on Ebay. Installs in about 10 minutes....
start to ease the pain. A good choice, since the DBS incidents continue
to plauge. I can live with this only because I believe a solution will be
found and I love the car (a terrible addiction).
Couple of corrections to your "priority start" assumptions. It does
work as advertised, but in my case it isolates the battery anywhere from 12.2 volts to 11.7 volts, which is acceptable but a little premature. I believe the RATE of the "mystery drawdown" determines
the disconnect voltage. Also, hitting the brakes to reconnect the battery after a DBS incident doesn't work on the C-6 (at least on my car). Brake lights are not independantly fused, so use the cigarette lighter to signal your priority start device to reconnect.
I follow the SD procedure religiously. My present approach has been to also insure the FOB is well distanced and shielded (placed in a metal can) after locking the garaged car. The DBS incidents have been
relatively early ,within 12 hrs of SD, and as late as 5 days. Spurious
computer fart or sun spots?
Instructor
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 145
Likes: 0
From: Longview WA
Originally Posted by Vette960
I have experienced DBS since the first week of C-6 purchase. Been trying to resolve personally. After the second DBS I purchased priority
start to ease the pain. A good choice, since the DBS incidents continue
to plauge. I can live with this only because I believe a solution will be
found and I love the car (a terrible addiction).
Couple of corrections to your "priority start" assumptions. It does
work as advertised, but in my case it isolates the battery anywhere from 12.2 volts to 11.7 volts, which is acceptable but a little premature. I believe the RATE of the "mystery drawdown" determines
the disconnect voltage. Also, hitting the brakes to reconnect the battery after a DBS incident doesn't work on the C-6 (at least on my car). Brake lights are not independantly fused, so use the cigarette lighter to signal your priority start device to reconnect.
I follow the SD procedure religiously. My present approach has been to also insure the FOB is well distanced and shielded (placed in a metal can) after locking the garaged car. The DBS incidents have been
relatively early ,within 12 hrs of SD, and as late as 5 days. Spurious
computer fart or sun spots?
start to ease the pain. A good choice, since the DBS incidents continue
to plauge. I can live with this only because I believe a solution will be
found and I love the car (a terrible addiction).
Couple of corrections to your "priority start" assumptions. It does
work as advertised, but in my case it isolates the battery anywhere from 12.2 volts to 11.7 volts, which is acceptable but a little premature. I believe the RATE of the "mystery drawdown" determines
the disconnect voltage. Also, hitting the brakes to reconnect the battery after a DBS incident doesn't work on the C-6 (at least on my car). Brake lights are not independantly fused, so use the cigarette lighter to signal your priority start device to reconnect.
I follow the SD procedure religiously. My present approach has been to also insure the FOB is well distanced and shielded (placed in a metal can) after locking the garaged car. The DBS incidents have been
relatively early ,within 12 hrs of SD, and as late as 5 days. Spurious
computer fart or sun spots?
We have established DBS is most likely a draw starting from shutdown so the battery will go dead on about the 2nd day. If the battery was weak I suppose it could happen a little sooner and if you had a special high capacity battery I suppose a little later. When you had it dead on day 5, were you monitoring the flashing Red light on the dash (assuming you don't have NAV) so you absolutely know it lasted to day 5, or could it have actually gone dead on day 2 and you discovered it on day 5?
Also, did you get DBS very often. Some of us would love to get it more often so we could analyze it. Most people have only had it 3 or so times, most I have heard of is 5. If someone could get it consistently, GM might want to buy that car back to help track this down.
Gary
Instructor
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 145
Likes: 0
From: Longview WA
Originally Posted by Vette960
It does work as advertised, but in my case it isolates the battery anywhere from 12.2 volts to 11.7 volts, which is acceptable but a little premature.
Team Owner
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 27,420
Likes: 64
From: San Clemente CA
Originally Posted by BlackMagik
My experience has been that a battery will settle to a voltage somewhere between 11.8 and 12.0 while sitting idle. This means P/S would almost always routinely disconnect if the car sat any length of time at all. Is this what is happening?
Instructor
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 145
Likes: 0
From: Longview WA
Originally Posted by VET4LES
A resting battery should maintain around 12.5 or 12.6 volts. Anything less indicates a weak battery or a slight draw which is a problem. A fully charged 12 volt battery is 12.6 volts.
Thanks for correcting me. I just measured several resting batteries and all were in the mid 12 range. I made an assumption (I always get in trouble on those). So in light of that, I guess the P/S would NOT normally kick in.
Team Owner
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 27,420
Likes: 64
From: San Clemente CA
Originally Posted by BlackMagik
Thanks for correcting me. I just measured several resting batteries and all were in the mid 12 range. I made an assumption (I always get in trouble on those). So in light of that, I guess the P/S would NOT normally kick in.
Instructor
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 124
Likes: 12
From: Rye N.H.
Originally Posted by BlackMagik
We have established DBS is most likely a draw starting from shutdown so the battery will go dead on about the 2nd day. If the battery was weak I suppose it could happen a little sooner and if you had a special high capacity battery I suppose a little later. When you had it dead on day 5, were you monitoring the flashing Red light on the dash (assuming you don't have NAV) so you absolutely know it lasted to day 5, or could it have actually gone dead on day 2 and you discovered it on day 5?
Also, did you get DBS very often. Some of us would love to get it more often so we could analyze it. Most people have only had it 3 or so times, most I have heard of is 5. If someone could get it consistently, GM might want to buy that car back to help track this down.
Gary
Also, did you get DBS very often. Some of us would love to get it more often so we could analyze it. Most people have only had it 3 or so times, most I have heard of is 5. If someone could get it consistently, GM might want to buy that car back to help track this down.
Gary
original battery with an Optima red top. I did not suspect the battery was a problem, just thought I'd start with a "fresh sheet of paper" to sort out the problem. Since P/S install, 2 months ago, I've had 3 DBS incidents.Fully charged battery voltage to begin(12.65 V)each incident. Checked for the flashing red light daily. Noted P/S SD time on car clock
upon reconnect. IOW, I've monitored car daily, until SD, on 3 seperate incidents. As mentioned, since last incident (2 days ago), I've kept FOB
well isolated from vehicle. This was based on the conjecture that I may be storing the FOB -usually in a coat pocket- too close to the vehicle. So far,so good. Also removed fuse #46? (on forum advice) after first
DBS incident;obviously ineffective.
Don't have NAV; do have ONSTAR.
Advanced
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 72
Likes: 0
From: Kernersville NC
Bought my car in Feb '05. I now have just over 12k on it. Sometimes it will sit for 5-6 days between drives. I read and keep up with the DBS threads, but have yet to experience it.
When I park the car, the only thing I do is shift to reverse. The key is never left in or near the car. I manually lock the doors and do not use the feature that moves the seat, steering, etc on exit. Maybe I just got a good one
When I park the car, the only thing I do is shift to reverse. The key is never left in or near the car. I manually lock the doors and do not use the feature that moves the seat, steering, etc on exit. Maybe I just got a good one