Corvette Ctec tender question
Thread Starter
Pro
Joined: Dec 2016
Posts: 518
Likes: 128
Corvette Ctec tender question
Guys just a quick question. Does it do any harm to start the car while the tender is plugged into the back hatch area? Trying to receive some info from the instrument panel. I know, it is easy just to unplug. But technically just wondering.
Thank You.
Thank You.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jan 2018
Posts: 2,813
Likes: 1,149
From: Wauconda Il
Maybe you can just hit the start button once to activate accessory mode then you don’t have to start it. Or Hold button down for about 7 seconds and it will go into service mode if that doesn’t show what you’re looking for. Remember in accessory it will shut off automatically after about 10 minutes. In service mode it won’t shut off by itself you have to make sure you turn it off or it will drain the battery. Remember don’t push down the brake or clutch. Not sure what will happen if you start it with the tender on. I started it by mistake forgetting it was plugged in and didn’t seem to do any harm. Maybe someone could chime in who knows
Race Director
Joined: Aug 2015
Posts: 12,253
Likes: 4,743
From: SE WI
I don't think the ctek was designed for that scenario. Might be fine but I personally would never do it. What's the charging system on a running engine going to do to the tender at startup? Send it a big voltage spike? Or maybe visa versa? No idea. I'd follow post #2 as this is what I've done in the past. It's probably covered in the owners manual.
Team Owner
Joined: Sep 2000
Posts: 25,009
Likes: 2,707
From: Far NW 'burbs of Chicago
St. Jude Donor '13
We've been using the GM CTEK on our Corvettes since about 2009. Two or three times I've started the car with the tender still plugged in & powered, didn't seem to cause any problems. But as mentioned, probably best not to do that.
Administrator
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 368,136
Likes: 24,735
From: In a parallel universe. Currently own 2014 Stingray Coupe.
C7 of the Year - Modified Finalist 2021
MO Events Coordinator
St. Jude Co-Organizer
St. Jude Donor '03 thru '25
NCM Sinkhole Donor
CI 5, 8 & 11 Veteran
I seldom do it, but have started the car up with the battery tender still plugged in.
CF Community Team
Joined: Apr 2016
Posts: 14,120
Likes: 7,414
From: Pittsburgh
2025 C6 of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
2024 C6 of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
2023 C6 of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
2022 C6 of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
2021 C6 of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
The best policy would probably be to unplug the tender before starting the car
Corvette Stories
The Best of Corvette for Corvette Enthusiasts
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
Top 10 Most Explosive Corvettes Ever Made: Power-to-Weight Ratio Ranked!
Joe Kucinski
150 hp to 1,250 hp: Every Corvette Generation Compared by the Specs That Matter
Joe Kucinski
8 Coolest Corvette Pace Cars (and Replicas) of All Time
Verdad Gallardo
Top 10 Corvette Engines RANKED by Peak Torque (70+ Years of Muscle!)
Joe Kucinski
Corvette ZR1X Will Be Pacing the Indy 500, And Could Probably Race, Too!
Verdad Gallardo
