Do I need a new battery?
Thread Starter
Advanced
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 64
Likes: 9
From: Olathe KS
Do I need a new battery?
2015 Z51 A8 20k miles. I purchased the car 6 mos. ago from Corvette World of Houston and it runs great. However, on two separate occasion's months apart, I hop in, step on the brake, hit the start button and its nothing but dashboard lights. After cycling the start button for 10 seconds 1-2 times without stepping on the brake, It will start and run fine. I don't know the battery age because the date tabs were not marked on the battery but it looks brand new and reads 14.7 volts when underway. Thoughts?
Burning Brakes
Joined: Sep 2022
Posts: 1,202
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From: MSP
"when underway" as in when the car is running and the alternator is charging it? if so, yeah, that's normal and doesn't really tell you anything.
measure the voltage after it's been sitting for 4+ hours, with the car off.
measure the voltage after it's been sitting for 4+ hours, with the car off.
Safety Car
Joined: May 2015
Posts: 3,680
Likes: 1,040
Yes... Corvette cars demand unmolested time scale when dealing with anything interfacing with the "power source". Keep her charging when at rest.
Start (now) with a brand new battery!
Start (now) with a brand new battery!
Last edited by c5arlen; Sep 19, 2023 at 02:31 PM.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Sep 2022
Posts: 1,202
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From: MSP
if you have parasitic drain to the point where your car requires a tender between drives, you've got an electrical problem.
Safety Car
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Have your battery tested - either at a dealer or an auto parts store. Go from there.
Team Owner
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 28,475
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From: Hartford WI
Keep who/what charging at rest? I never had that requirement with any GM car or any other car with provision. That provision being that the battery and/or alternator is not on the way out and you can't get one now or you have some parasitic drain. I can leave my C7 sit at the airport for 2 weeks and not worry unless the above provisions are present.
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Drifting
Joined: Jun 2013
Posts: 1,428
Likes: 478
From: Maryland, USA
sounds like ticking time bomb.
I just had my daily driver truck 2019 new battery go up, no real indicator and drove fine in the morning in afternoon, went to start and not enough cold cranking amps.
I just had my daily driver truck 2019 new battery go up, no real indicator and drove fine in the morning in afternoon, went to start and not enough cold cranking amps.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Sep 2022
Posts: 1,202
Likes: 569
From: MSP
Burning Brakes
Joined: Sep 2022
Posts: 1,202
Likes: 569
From: MSP
do yourself a favour and replace it with an AGM. There's an ACDelco one avialable if you're married to OEM.
Pro
Joined: Jun 2017
Posts: 566
Likes: 277
From: Amarillo TX
Only issue I had with OEM (AC Delco) was that their batteries do not have a handle on them, thus making removal and installation a royal PITA. You'll get many suggestions on battery brands but don't get too caught up in what sticker is on the battery. There are really just two battery makers in the U.S. - East Penn and Johnson Controls. Various names are slapped on their batteries, with differing warranties. Or, Optima (made in Mexico).
That being said, my Corvette and my two motorcycles (none are daily-drivers) live in a garage and are on battery tenders and I generally get 6-7 years out of a battery.
That being said, my Corvette and my two motorcycles (none are daily-drivers) live in a garage and are on battery tenders and I generally get 6-7 years out of a battery.
Team Owner
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 28,475
Likes: 3,291
From: Hartford WI
[QUOTE=Racer1735;1607063403You'll get many suggestions on battery brands but don't get too caught up in what sticker is on the battery. There are really just two battery makers in the U.S. - East Penn and Johnson Controls. Various names are slapped on their batteries, with differing warranties. [/QUOTE]
I hear that a lot. How true it really is, I have not heard from people who are in the know, IE senior management, if that is the case.
I hear that a lot. How true it really is, I have not heard from people who are in the know, IE senior management, if that is the case.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Mar 2022
Posts: 1,220
Likes: 733
From: Phoenix, Arizona
https://gm-techlink.com/wp-content/u...016-2018-4.pdf
https://gm-techlink.com/wp-content/u...22-062021A.pdf
