Car Dead?
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Joined: Jun 2017
Posts: 71
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From: Houston TX
Car Dead?
When I parked and turned my car off at the store, it was fine, and I drove home. When I parked in the garage, and turned the car off, everything just went black, nothing worked radio or anything. I couldn't even open the doors, I had to climb into the trunk to pull the door open string.
Does anyone have any idea what would cause this? It seems strange that the battery would go completely and utterly dead from the 1 mile drive from the store to home...
Any help is greatly greatly appreciated!
Does anyone have any idea what would cause this? It seems strange that the battery would go completely and utterly dead from the 1 mile drive from the store to home...
Any help is greatly greatly appreciated!
Team Owner
Joined: Apr 2013
Posts: 26,224
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From: Chirper Island
Sounds like your battery went ****-up. We're just now getting enough C7s aging enough to learn what kinds of behavior the batteries may show as they die, but there are certainly enough C6 examples that going unexpectedly dead is not unusual.
You didn't need to crawl in the back, however. There is a handle on the floor next to both the drivers and passenger door that will open the door.
You didn't need to crawl in the back, however. There is a handle on the floor next to both the drivers and passenger door that will open the door.
Last edited by owc6; Feb 4, 2018 at 02:35 PM.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Aug 2006
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There is a manual door release on the floor beside the driver and passenger seats. Pull up to open door if you have no power.
Check to see that your battery connections are secure at the battery.
But is sounds as if you need a new battery.
Check to see that your battery connections are secure at the battery.
But is sounds as if you need a new battery.
Race Director
Joined: Mar 2001
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From: Bonneville Salt Flats
Battery or connector. If you have a volt-meter check the battery directly, remove/clean/reconnect and tighten the terminals. Two weeks ago my son called and said the same as you. All "looked" fine, battery had volts. I cleaned and tightened the ground and when I went to remove the positive it was loose! No idea why. It had been over a year since he'd had the battery replaced and I suppose the issue evolved from that.
Also, I had a similar occurrence years ago on one of my exotics that drove me nuts. Eventually, I found that one of the factory, cast, battery terminals had corroded inside the casting, competely out of sight and otherwise undetectable. New terminal on the cable and mysterious issue solved.
Not that any of these apply to you, but to illustrate how goofy and diverse causes of similar problems can be. All the BEST!
Also, I had a similar occurrence years ago on one of my exotics that drove me nuts. Eventually, I found that one of the factory, cast, battery terminals had corroded inside the casting, competely out of sight and otherwise undetectable. New terminal on the cable and mysterious issue solved.
Not that any of these apply to you, but to illustrate how goofy and diverse causes of similar problems can be. All the BEST!
Moderator emeritus
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From: Jacksonville Florida BWO Dayton, Cincinnati, Bloomsbury NJ, Cincinnati
2015 C7 of the Year Finalist
Can you or do you have a friend that can get the back carpet up to examine the battery? If you can get in there, you can wiggle the connections on the battery posts to see if something is loose. Batteries don't usually have on/off switch traits when they are going down for the count. There are signs, like slow cranking, dim lights, nutty things with the doors opening etc. A sudden loss or power is usually an on/off event like a fuse blowing or a battery connection loose or a ground wire loose.
Elmer
Elmer
Last edited by eboggs_jkvl; Feb 4, 2018 at 04:32 PM.
Team Owner
Joined: Apr 2013
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From: Chirper Island
How old is the car? Is the battery still under warranty? If out of warranty, or close, I would just pull the battery and take it (for the core fee) to an auto parts store and replace it. It may take a day or two for them to get it in, so you may want to call ahead. If it still has a fair amount of warranty time left, then let the dealer handle it, but this would not be my first choice.
You shouldn't have any problem jump starting it, which would work if wanting to drive to the auto parts store, as well (they generally will install batteries for free, anyway). DON'T push start it, as this may cause damage.
Be careful pulling up the carpet if doing it for the first time, some have had it tear. I didn't have any problem with mine, I just took it slowly and didn't "force" it.
You shouldn't have any problem jump starting it, which would work if wanting to drive to the auto parts store, as well (they generally will install batteries for free, anyway). DON'T push start it, as this may cause damage.
Be careful pulling up the carpet if doing it for the first time, some have had it tear. I didn't have any problem with mine, I just took it slowly and didn't "force" it.
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Joined: Jun 2017
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From: Houston TX
I've had weird issues, with like when I turn my car on, my settings were reset, like the computer reset or something. My gauge cluster went back to default etc, weird symptoms like that. I've also had some message that says to roll the driver/passenger side window up and down once.
Moderator emeritus
Joined: Jun 2001
Posts: 18,599
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From: Jacksonville Florida BWO Dayton, Cincinnati, Bloomsbury NJ, Cincinnati
2015 C7 of the Year Finalist
I've had weird issues, with like when I turn my car on, my settings were reset, like the computer reset or something. My gauge cluster went back to default etc, weird symptoms like that. I've also had some message that says to roll the driver/passenger side window up and down once.
Elmer
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From: Guelph, Ontario
Moderator emeritus
Joined: Jun 2001
Posts: 18,599
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From: Jacksonville Florida BWO Dayton, Cincinnati, Bloomsbury NJ, Cincinnati
2015 C7 of the Year Finalist
You need to get the battery checked out. It could be corrosion on the battery terminals, a loose connection on the battery or the battery is going down to die. Surely in Houston, there is someone to help check the battery? You can try to jump it, but you need to get to the battery to do the jumping. Check the stuff I mentioned, if everything is clean and tight, yank out the battery and go get a new one. I would recommend this as a replacement:
Sears: Die Hard AGM (Absorbed Glass Mat)
Description Item # 02850748000P Model # 50748
Elmer
Sears: Die Hard AGM (Absorbed Glass Mat)
Description Item # 02850748000P Model # 50748
Elmer
Team Owner
Joined: Apr 2013
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From: Chirper Island
Moderator emeritus
Joined: Jun 2001
Posts: 18,599
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From: Jacksonville Florida BWO Dayton, Cincinnati, Bloomsbury NJ, Cincinnati
2015 C7 of the Year Finalist
So, you're old school on this stuff, short skirt, a little cleavage and a smile will get you everywhere and anything?
Team Owner
Joined: Apr 2013
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From: Chirper Island
And I'm getting old enough, that even though the cleavage and short skirts still work (barely), I'm about to start using the "helpless oldwoman" card.
All meant in good fun.
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Joined: Jun 2017
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From: Houston TX
I pulled up the carpet last night and bumped into the battery and the car started, turns out the shop somehow managed to not tighten the negative battery cable all the way down....talk about negligent... Car is running like a champ now though and that's what matters! Thanks for all the helpful comments and help, it's always appreciated!
C
C
Moderator emeritus
Joined: Jun 2001
Posts: 18,599
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From: Jacksonville Florida BWO Dayton, Cincinnati, Bloomsbury NJ, Cincinnati
2015 C7 of the Year Finalist
I pulled up the carpet last night and bumped into the battery and the car started, turns out the shop somehow managed to not tighten the negative battery cable all the way down....talk about negligent... Car is running like a champ now though and that's what matters! Thanks for all the helpful comments and help, it's always appreciated!
C
C
Enjoy your car.
Elmer