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Help with Battery

Old Nov 26, 2008 | 01:57 PM
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Default Help with Battery

I couldn't open the door so I phone GM and they told me most likely the battery is dead.

I tried jumping the car, but it wouldn't turn at all. However all the electronics can be turned on including the radio, power windows etc.

I had it tow to a GM dealership and they told me it can cost up to $300 for a battery and another $150 for diagnosis.

I can't believe that it could cost up to $450 to change a battery!

I know that you can probably pick up a battery a Costco for about $60 and it should take about 10 mins max to put it.

Should I just pick up the car and change the battery myself? Is there any reprogramming I have to do? Any tricks or knowhow I should know?
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Old Nov 26, 2008 | 01:59 PM
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Were do you live? I will do it 1/2 of that.

Just put the battery in. You could get an Optima at Costco and spend about 10 min installing.

Last edited by timd38; Nov 26, 2008 at 02:01 PM.
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Old Nov 26, 2008 | 02:00 PM
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You can almost set the clock at 3 years for the battery to expire. I definitely wouldn't buy a $60 battery though!
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Old Nov 26, 2008 | 02:22 PM
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Originally Posted by nastyc6vette
I couldn't open the door so I phone GM and they told me most likely the battery is dead.

I tried jumping the car, but it wouldn't turn at all. However all the electronics can be turned on including the radio, power windows etc.

I had it tow to a GM dealership and they told me it can cost up to $300 for a battery and another $150 for diagnosis.

I can't believe that it could cost up to $450 to change a battery!

I know that you can probably pick up a battery a Costco for about $60 and it should take about 10 mins max to put it.

Should I just pick up the car and change the battery myself? Is there any reprogramming I have to do? Any tricks or knowhow I should know?
Most batteries these days have a 60 month warranty which is prorated, so you should get a new battery for cheap but it still might be less expensive to go to Costco and do it yourself.
I just got back from a 2 week vacation and the battery in my 08 coupe with 4500 miles was dead. I called roadside assistance for a boost but this just should'nt happen. I'm sure I will be looking at replacing my battery soon.
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Old Nov 26, 2008 | 02:27 PM
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Originally Posted by Finelee
Most batteries these days have a 60 month warranty which is prorated, so you should get a new battery for cheap but it still might be less expensive to go to Costco and do it yourself.
I just got back from a 2 week vacation and the battery in my 08 coupe with 4500 miles was dead. I called roadside assistance for a boost but this just should'nt happen. I'm sure I will be looking at replacing my battery soon.
Just remember that warranty is a marketing tool, not a definition of product quality.
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Old Nov 26, 2008 | 02:30 PM
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Originally Posted by nastyc6vette
I couldn't open the door so I phone GM and they told me most likely the battery is dead.

I tried jumping the car, but it wouldn't turn at all. However all the electronics can be turned on including the radio, power windows etc.
I wonder if your battery is really the problem? It should at least have tried to turn over if you had jumper cables going to it and enough juice to power the windows.

That said, there is nothing about the Corvette battery or replacing it... Get yourself a good quality battery and spend 10 minutes replacing it; that way IF the problem turns out not to be the battery, at least you're 450 dollars ahead in fixing it and troubleshooting it since they would probably have replaced it at the dealership anyways...
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Old Nov 26, 2008 | 02:46 PM
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OK, spoke to the dealer and just told them not to do the diagnostics and to just replace the battery since it's the original one and I have about 32000KM already.

Talked them down to $117 for a Delco battery and $70 for labour.

If it's not the battery, I should have it cover under my GM extended warranty. Thank You all for your inputs!

Last edited by nastyc6vette; Nov 26, 2008 at 02:57 PM.
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Old Nov 26, 2008 | 04:18 PM
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Originally Posted by nastyc6vette
OK, spoke to the dealer and just told them not to do the diagnostics and to just replace the battery since it's the original one and I have about 32000KM already.

Talked them down to $117 for a Delco battery and $70 for labour.

If it's not the battery, I should have it cover under my GM extended warranty. Thank You all for your inputs!
Like I said, if you near Milwaukee, I will do it for $100, parts and labor. You can get a battery from almost any major retailer for about $80. THe difference is to cover the beer.
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Old Nov 26, 2008 | 04:44 PM
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IMHO, get a battery with a 3 year direct replacement warranty.

I know Sears Diehard is a 3 year direct replacement, not pro-rated.

I got a new Diehard in Sept of this year. Exactly two months later, it died. Took it to Sears, they tested it... said it was dead and gave me a brand new one. The guy almost looked embarrssed and confirmed that it was a factory defect. No questions asked about what car or condition of the electrical system. Didn't pay a penny.

Walmart might have the same direct replacement 3 year warranty for less coin, but you might want to confirm.

Our car suckSSSSSSSSSSSSS in the electrical department. Battery keeps dying if you don't put in reverse and lock the steering wheel, my HVAC control unit is going haywire, my check engine light comes on from time to time for no apparent reason.... Great engine and chassis, crappy electronics.
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Old Nov 27, 2008 | 01:08 AM
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Battery tender and plug it in when your cars not in use. Change it yourself
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