Battery Maintainer
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6th Gear
Joined: Sep 2024
Posts: 6
Likes: 1
Battery Maintainer
I have a Corvette 3300 model 1051 battery maintainer, it has been working fine until now. Now when I plug it in the orange light
just blinks continuously, rapidly blinking, fiddling with the plug either produces a solid orange light or the rapidly blinking light. I'm trying
to figure out if it is the maintainer or if it is a different problem. Has anyone else had this issue?
just blinks continuously, rapidly blinking, fiddling with the plug either produces a solid orange light or the rapidly blinking light. I'm trying
to figure out if it is the maintainer or if it is a different problem. Has anyone else had this issue?
Roadster Madness. 😠
Joined: Sep 2009
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From: Ventura Co Ca
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St. Jude Donor '13, '20-'21
I know what you mean. 
I got one when I got my C7. It works sometimes and not others. Currently, the red charging light is on, no matter how I twist or adjust it in the plug in the trunk. It does this occasionally and then will work.
I also have a Battery Tender, Junior, which I have used on three generations of Corvettes with out issues. I am going to get it and start using it again.
I got one when I got my C7. It works sometimes and not others. Currently, the red charging light is on, no matter how I twist or adjust it in the plug in the trunk. It does this occasionally and then will work.
I also have a Battery Tender, Junior, which I have used on three generations of Corvettes with out issues. I am going to get it and start using it again.
Melting Slicks
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 3,238
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From: Lindenhurst, IL
I've had nothing but problems with the cigarette lighter jack in the trunk. It's garbage. I've tried 2 different chargers; and neither stayed connected consistently.
I'm currently using an 18-year-old non-Corvette Ctek charger that has their standard quick-connect cable. It comes with an adapter cable to allow you to connect it directly to the battery. It works perfectly.
I'm currently using an 18-year-old non-Corvette Ctek charger that has their standard quick-connect cable. It comes with an adapter cable to allow you to connect it directly to the battery. It works perfectly.
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I've had nothing but problems with the cigarette lighter jack in the trunk. It's garbage. I've tried 2 different chargers; and neither stayed connected consistently.
I'm currently using an 18-year-old non-Corvette Ctek charger that has their standard quick-connect cable. It comes with an adapter cable to allow you to connect it directly to the battery. It works perfectly.
I'm currently using an 18-year-old non-Corvette Ctek charger that has their standard quick-connect cable. It comes with an adapter cable to allow you to connect it directly to the battery. It works perfectly.
Advanced
Joined: Jul 2021
Posts: 93
Likes: 33
From: New Hartford, NY
Had the same problem with the blinking orange light. Spliced in a new cigar plug end to replace the original and the problem went away. Got the cigar plug end on Amazon. That said, I've used Battery Tenders for years with never a problem. My collector cars, UTV's, ATV's are all connected to Battery Tenders, the best!!
Melting Slicks
Joined: Dec 2017
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From: Columbus Ohio
When this happens, which is rare, a slight jiggle increases the connection, and the blinking orange light goes away.
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I use the GM version of the CTEK maintainer and occasionally have to twist the plug to get a good connection, but the vast majority of the time it works flawlessly.
Team Owner
Joined: Sep 2000
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From: Far NW 'burbs of Chicago
St. Jude Donor '13
I've had the GM version lose contact with the trunk receptacle hundreds of times in 8 yrs. I twist it slightly and it works for somewhere between 3 months and 3 minutes. GM replaced it once under warranty but the replacement is no better.
No biggie for me because i can see the lights any time I walk through the garage, but if the car was stored someplace else it would be unacceptable. I'm not sure if the problem is in the trunk receptacle or the CTEK plug, either way it's junk.
No biggie for me because i can see the lights any time I walk through the garage, but if the car was stored someplace else it would be unacceptable. I'm not sure if the problem is in the trunk receptacle or the CTEK plug, either way it's junk.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jan 2019
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From: Howell N.J
Melting Slicks
Joined: Dec 2017
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From: Columbus Ohio
Team Owner
Joined: Sep 2000
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From: Far NW 'burbs of Chicago
St. Jude Donor '13
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jan 2018
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From: Wauconda Il
Melting Slicks
Joined: Feb 2018
Posts: 2,126
Likes: 1,012
From: North Texas
CTEK is known for having bad plugs.
They tried to make it fit all cars, but it ended up not fitting any very well.
If you want to keep the CTEK try and find a better designed new plug for it like what Battery Tender uses.
Amazon, Mouser etc.
They tried to make it fit all cars, but it ended up not fitting any very well.
If you want to keep the CTEK try and find a better designed new plug for it like what Battery Tender uses.
Amazon, Mouser etc.
Last edited by Tinkertech; Jul 19, 2025 at 08:43 AM.