Repeated Dead Battery
Thread Starter
7th Gear
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 7
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Repeated Dead Battery
Over the last 18 months, my 2005 (manual trans) has had 6 dead batteries with no warning. I have been to two dealerships and one Corvette specialist and they cannot find anything. They all point to an intermittent electronic failure where one modules stays on and drains the battery. Suggested fix is to mount a switch on the battery and move to the off position when not in use. The car is a weekender only and has only 8K miles and is in otherwise perfect stock condition. Seems like a dumb work around for such a special car. Got any ideas?
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Have you had the ECU updated? The 05 had an issue on shut down that left things "running" if you didn't shut down in a "prescribed" sequence and have the shifter in "reverse".
This is know as the dead battery syndrome and is fixed by a re-flash of programming.
Elmer
This is know as the dead battery syndrome and is fixed by a re-flash of programming.
Elmer
Team Owner
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 20,352
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From: Ventura County, Calif
Until you get it figured out you might be interested in Priority Start. You install it and it monitors the voltage and automatically disconnects before the battery gets too low to start the car. Many here use one. Good luck. 
http://www.amazon.com/Corvette-Garag...5734465&sr=8-3
http://www.amazon.com/Corvette-Garag...5734465&sr=8-3
Team Owner
Joined: Jul 1999
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Until you get it figured out you might be interested in Priority Start. You install it and it monitors the voltage and automatically disconnects before the battery gets too low to start the car. Many here use one. Good luck.
http://www.amazon.com/Corvette-Garag...5734465&sr=8-3
http://www.amazon.com/Corvette-Garag...5734465&sr=8-3
Intermediate
Joined: Apr 2008
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oh i feel your pain. i had an 05 manual and had the same problems. i was driving it every day and it still would drain over night with out warning. it would run fine for more than a week and then id wake up and bam..it was dead.
i fought that for a while until it was no longer fun to me. i sold it and went over a year with out a vette before upgrading to a z06. i work overseas from time to time and it requires me to leave for a month. the z06 will start no problems (even during winter...well...a La winter) and not left on a battery tender.
but i remember those days, having to ask strangers for a jump. its very annoying.
i fought that for a while until it was no longer fun to me. i sold it and went over a year with out a vette before upgrading to a z06. i work overseas from time to time and it requires me to leave for a month. the z06 will start no problems (even during winter...well...a La winter) and not left on a battery tender.
but i remember those days, having to ask strangers for a jump. its very annoying.
Thread Starter
7th Gear
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 7
Likes: 0
Thanks to everyone who replied on the forum and by email on this recurring issue with my 2005 battery. I will try these remedies asap.
I am guilty of :
- not following "prescribed" sequence for shut down
- keeping my key fob within ten feet of the car
- I might have pushed the wrong button/s on the key
- not sure if my EUC was updated
- have not used a tender or modified the battery
Guilty as charged, but who knew? I think I will install a battery on/off switch as a fail safe.
Thanks again.
John
I am guilty of :
- not following "prescribed" sequence for shut down
- keeping my key fob within ten feet of the car
- I might have pushed the wrong button/s on the key
- not sure if my EUC was updated
- have not used a tender or modified the battery
Guilty as charged, but who knew? I think I will install a battery on/off switch as a fail safe.
Thanks again.
John
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Joined: Dec 2006
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St. Jude Donor '13
First off, get to a dealer and get the update to fix the Dead Battery issues. If it has never been done that is your issue.
As long as you put it in reverse after shutdown you are ok on the shutdown sequence.
The Fob has no effect on the car whether its in the car, 10 feet away or in another state, so no worries there.
The battery tender is a good measure of protection against a drained battery, but on my 2005 I dont need to use one and it can sit for 2-3 weeks and start with no issues.
Get your cars computer reflashed, it should solve the problem or at least rule it out as the problem.
As long as you put it in reverse after shutdown you are ok on the shutdown sequence.
The Fob has no effect on the car whether its in the car, 10 feet away or in another state, so no worries there.
The battery tender is a good measure of protection against a drained battery, but on my 2005 I dont need to use one and it can sit for 2-3 weeks and start with no issues.
Get your cars computer reflashed, it should solve the problem or at least rule it out as the problem.
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