I just joined, and from what I can tell, there have been many threads on the Dead Battery Syndrome (DBS). I have an automatic C6 coupe, with 12,700 miles. I purchased the car used from a Chevrolet dealer 4 months ago. Until this week, I didn't have any problems. On Tuesday, while getting ready to go (of all places) to the monthly corvette club meeting...go to the garage...just to find a DEAD VETTE! I was frustrated, but thought I just had a "fluke" and charged the battery. When it was charged, the car started just fine, never thought anything else about it. Today, I go out there.....and it's dead again!! This time it was completely dead, so I had to enter the car "manually" and once again start it after 4 hours. This time I immediately drove the car to my local Chevy dealer. They were nice, but seemed to be completely clueless as to any DBS issue. Are they lying, ignorant, or simply have never seen a C6 with this issue? They claim that no GM service bulletins exist regarding DBS. I noticed my car seems to "come alive" on it's own. I happened to see the car in the garage (I did not have the key fobs close by) with the gauges coming on by themselves, and the radio/nav screen illuminated (the vette logo only...not the actual display). My bumper to bumper runs out in December, I love my car, but I will not go through this forever!

I know this must be an old issue, but I am a new guy here, so please forgive me if I am talking about something that might have been beat to death already.

I have read the posts about battery tenders, chargers, etc. I agree they are good ideas. I drive my car once a week, and to be blunt, if I cannot park my car for 6 days, get in it, and have it start....I don't want it! I think the tenders are a great idea, but simply a band-aid, not a cure.

PLEASE, I need any advice you can give. In particular, I am desperate for any bulletin numbers that address this issue. If the dealer cannot fix this, I have to realize my warranty runs out next month, and then I am on my own. I have waited half of my life to buy my dream car, but on a cop's salary, I cannot afford repeated out-of-warranty trips to the dealer just to keep this car. I might have to visit my local Dodge dealer and trade on a Challenger!

Also, on a side note (and possible indication of my dealer's knowledge level) can anyone tell me what the black button next to the key hole by rear license plate does? it had a cover, I removed the cover, and there is a push button there, right between the two LP lights. Three of the service writers had NO CLUE what the button did....any help?

 

I'm paying attention to this also as I recently bought an 05 C6 mine is automatic, & I've heard that if you have an 05 MANUAL you have to put it in "REVERSE" when parking it or the battery will go dead...

I've had my car since Sept... so far... so good

 

That was the only issue the service dpt guys did tell me, that they were only aware of DBS issues with manual tranny C6s that were not parked in reverse. They claimed to have no knowledge of any DBS with automatic C6s

 

Can't believe dealers didn't know what the button does. It allows the driver to open the rear hatch as long as the FOB is within a few feet of the vehicle. If you pulled off the rubber-like cover, put it back. It keeps out the dirt, dust and water.
Welcome to the Forum.

 

Yes that is accurate, when you shut down the 05 6 speed manuels you have to be in reverse or you will drain the battery. The dealers can flash your computer to eliminate this glitch, however, any tune you may have in your puter is also erased.

 

If your car is an automaic then this is not the classic DBS everyone writes about. If your dealer doen't know what that button does it's time to get a new dealer.

 

I agree. I have since learned from this forum that it's the unlock switch if you have the fob right next to it. I knew it had a function, just didn't know what it was. I got a call from the dealer this morning while they were still trying to figure out the DBS issue. The service rep told me it was just a "bad design"...and that it didn't have any function! That the mechanic or tech told the service rep he didn't know why they would "put a useless button there...that did nothing"....OMG! I am REALLY scared now! these are the so-called experts!

 

If you do not drive the car often then it is also possible that the battery is weak, you can check it with a volt meter. A common problem is leaving the interior lights on or the car in accessory mode. When you leave the car make sure everything is off. The radio and etc. should automatically go off after you push the botton and open the door.
Good luck

 

Thanks Tommy. I don't drive the car every day, but it does get driven at least once a week. I would have figured that would be OK for the average car...don't you think? Even 2 or 3 weeks should be a reasonable time to expect a car to start. I checked the lights, but I never thought about the accessory mode. I have never had a car with a push button ignition... so I thought when I stopped the car and hit the bottom part of the button it automatically set it to OFF vs ACC.... is that correct?

One night, I was taking out the garbage and noticed lights inside the car. I did not have the fob anywhere near the car. The gauges were on, and the NAV display was on, not on the radio or nav, just the corvette emblem lit up...does that make sense? All of the suden, they went out!

I have read many threads about different bad switches/sensors "waking up" the car...thus draining the battery. Once person related his Z06 had a defective manual key switch (the one by the rear lp) was shorting and sending a signal to the computer which was in turn looking for a third fob. They replaced the switch and his DBS issues were resolved. I have read about stuck lumbar and visor mirror light switches....maybe the answer is not one thing...but a combination?

 

I would start by replacing the battery. It has been posted numerous times on this forum that the dealers had to jump the C6 on the lot to give them a test drive. How many times before purchase had the battery been allowed to reach this state and had it ever been charged properly at the PDI? Batteries are fickle things,and once a lead acid battery goes dead,it will never fully recover. Since proper diagnostics on your C6 is impossible without a fully functioning battery,take the initiative and replace it with the best (an Optima Yellow Top for example). Because of all the onboard computers on the C6,battery drain to a certain extent is a fact of life,but this is a fact with many new cars and not just the C6. I pulled my factory Delco immediately after I received my '05 and replaced it with a Red Top,a Cellmate tender and a Priority Start. It never fails to start immediately,and I am only an occasional driver with only 1700 miles on my car. High performance cars are very much like high performance people-there are always going to be some quirks. Work with them and they can actually become somewhat endearing. Don't let this come between you and enjoying one of the world's premier sportscars!

 

Good point ......there were many 05s that came with bad weak/ batteries. It is very possible that his car has one. It can be easily checked with a load tester!

 

Where was the FOB.....way back when the C6 first came out a lot of guys had similar problems..... a easy fix was not to store the fobs near the car as the car would continue to "wake up". Then again there were several who had electrical problems, bad fobs and etc. You should try to rule out all the easy ones first. Otherwise it is time for the dealer to take a good long look.