Battery Drainage Issue
Thread Starter
Cruising
Joined: Mar 2011
Posts: 12
Likes: 0
Battery Drainage Issue
Hey all,
I have been having an ongoing issue with my c6. It'll have over 14 volts and if it sits for over 24hrs it will be so dead I have to use key to unlock hatch to gain access. Its been in and out on GM dealer by where I live and they have run full diagnostic on batter which came out fine. They also replaced battery cables thinking that was culprit. Still same issue. I have checked grounds out to best of my ability and same outcome. Today I jumped it to take to work, and after an hour drive, I went to start her up and after only sitting for approximately 20mins she was dead. I'm sure you all can grasp my level of frustration now. I've been recommended by a fellow vette owner to take her to a performance shop but before I make that call I'd like to hear any input from the forum family. Any feedback will be greatly appreciated. Good day to all.
I have been having an ongoing issue with my c6. It'll have over 14 volts and if it sits for over 24hrs it will be so dead I have to use key to unlock hatch to gain access. Its been in and out on GM dealer by where I live and they have run full diagnostic on batter which came out fine. They also replaced battery cables thinking that was culprit. Still same issue. I have checked grounds out to best of my ability and same outcome. Today I jumped it to take to work, and after an hour drive, I went to start her up and after only sitting for approximately 20mins she was dead. I'm sure you all can grasp my level of frustration now. I've been recommended by a fellow vette owner to take her to a performance shop but before I make that call I'd like to hear any input from the forum family. Any feedback will be greatly appreciated. Good day to all.
Burning Brakes
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 752
Likes: 28
From: Ottawa, Ontario
I'd be willing to bet it's the battery itself, in that, it will not hold a charge.
I just replaces a battery (not an AC Delco) in my 2005 C6 that was less than one year old. It went completely dead in less than 5 days....had to open the car with the key too.
The owner of the shop wher I take my car told me that AC Delco's are bad for this......he said he recently replaced two AC Delcos's that were less than 3 months old and won't hold a charge.
I just replaces a battery (not an AC Delco) in my 2005 C6 that was less than one year old. It went completely dead in less than 5 days....had to open the car with the key too.
The owner of the shop wher I take my car told me that AC Delco's are bad for this......he said he recently replaced two AC Delcos's that were less than 3 months old and won't hold a charge.
Instructor
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 159
Likes: 0
From: Galt CA
I had my Z06 two years/17K miles (brand new when I bought it); and had a dead battery for the first time after not driving the car for 3 days. Hooked it up to my charger/tester and it read 15%. Took it to the dealer, they load tested it and checked for switches not closing and they could not find anything. I know I did not leave any lights on after I drove it last time, so its a mystery as to why the battery went south.
Racer
Joined: Apr 2012
Posts: 314
Likes: 4
From: Ontario
I've used Delco in our old Chevelles for years and they lasted on average about 7 years. As mentioned above, have the battery load tested to figure out what is actually going wrong. With all the electronics in these new cars, I dare say that the battery isn't always the problem. Oshawa used to have a Delco battery plant but it was shut down, torn down and production moved to Mexico. The production quality may be just as good as every but who knows. The previous owner of our Corvette replaced the battery this spring and again it was seven years old too. I'll stick with Delco until I see a reason to switch.
Corvette Stories
The Best of Corvette for Corvette Enthusiasts
Every 2027 Corvette Engine Explained
Joe Kucinski
Designer Imagines A Corvette That Looks More Like a Corvette Than the Corvette
Verdad Gallardo
10 Ugly Corvettes That We Still Kinda Love
Joe Kucinski
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
Le Mans Master
Joined: Oct 1999
Posts: 8,205
Likes: 40
From: Tucson AZ
Get a new battery.
Racer
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 417
Likes: 40
From: Swansea IL
Take the car to the shop and have them check the system for drains. Once the car is turned off, there should only be a specified current drain that keeps the computers operating.
If the drain is over the specified amount, you have a relay hanging in the ON position.
All the battery changes in the world won't fix that problem.
Bob
If the drain is over the specified amount, you have a relay hanging in the ON position.
All the battery changes in the world won't fix that problem.
Bob
Racer
Joined: Apr 2012
Posts: 314
Likes: 4
From: Ontario
Something as simple as a glovebox or under hood lamp not going out when the door or hood is closed can drain batteries. Chevelle guys have run into this problem in the past. Simple things to check first. Just a thought.
