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Ystayhm
For what it is worth I replace my battery every 3-4 years
I've owned 4 Corvettes and after having my battery crap out 350 miles from home I decided to just keep my car on a tender and buy a new battery every 3 years. Even so I had one go even with a tender on it in my C7 after 2 years and I jumped it and took it to the dealer and the tech told me he couldn't believe the car came with a 30 month battery ! Just replace one every 3 years and keep it on a tender you should not have a problem. I repeat, "should not have a problem!"
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What a nightmare !! That is way too much trauma. I would need some counseling to recover from that. BTW, what year is your car?
20 years ago I bought a new car (previous year model) that the dealer had in stock. They had to charge the battery before I could pick it up. Maybe it had been sitting for 6 months?
The car worked fine for three years, then the battery just died one day.
I was expecting a new car, new battery to last much longer, but if it sat for months with a discharged battery, that could shorten the battery life. OK that makes sense.
Maybe your first battery had some issue like that? But a second failure with a new battery! That is not a battery problem, definitely something funky with the electric system.
Keep us posted.
Car was towed to the dealer Wednesday night. They contacted me Thursday morning to say they had the car and would look at it as soon as they could.
I called late on Thursday - no news. They promised to call on Friday when they looked at it.
They never called me. I called late on Friday - no response or call back.
Service is open today (Saturday) and I just received notice that they will call on Monday if they have a chance to look at it.
That's three full days and they haven't even _looked_ at the car... with no idea how much longer it will be until they do. If I had known, I would have called around to other dealers (even though I can't stand any of them). At the least, I could have waited to have it towed. I'd feel better with it sitting in my garage instead of outside in their parking lot.
When they finally look at it, who knows how long the actual repair will take. It's been just over three years with this car. With one exception, there's only been one service situation that wasn't some kind of issue.
Something to keep in mind in such situations. If you had called in to schedule service, how many days out would the appointment have been? Another way to look at it is-- Do you think you could get a servicing done the same day you called for it? Likely it would have been a few days out. So when a car comes in for "emergency" diagnostics and/or repair, the shop is likely scheduled already for days ahead.
I know this doesn't reduce your angst, but it is the reality of service departments. They schedule to keep busy as much as they possible. They'll get you in when they can without delaying the work to be done for that's already on their timetable.
Something to keep in mind in such situations. If you had called in to schedule service, how many days out would the appointment have been? Another way to look at it is-- Do you think you could get a servicing done the same day you called for it? Likely it would have been a few days out. So when a car comes in for "emergency" diagnostics and/or repair, the shop is likely scheduled already for days ahead.
I know this doesn't reduce your angst, but it is the reality of service departments. They schedule to keep busy as much as they possible. They'll get you in when they can without delaying the work to be done for that's already on their timetable.
I get it and that is perfectly understandable. Doesn’t make it any less frustrating.
On the other hand…
Day 1 I was told they might not get to it “today.” Totally understandable. End of day one I was told they’d get to it “tomorrow.” “Tomorrow” came and went with no word. Day three I was told “next week.” We are now halfway through today with no news. Don’t give me a “tomorrow”when it’s going to be a week out.
Also, for a situation like this I don’t think it unreasonable to take a quick look and maybe throw the diagnostic tool to see if there is a quick answer. They had to jumpstart it to move it (I got the “battery low” message when they did on day 1). Maybe “part 4765b” is bad so they can order it while the car waits its turn. As it is, they will take several days to even look at it. Then, if a part has to be ordered there is an additional delay for it to arrive, then wait again until they can fit the car in. In my experience, dealers around here don’t stock many Corvette specific parts and the delivery time is never quick. Everything always seems to “be on back order.”
A honest estimate of time to just _look_ at the car shouldn’t be too much to ask. Dealers around here suck.
Edited to add: I also told them last week to let me know if they would have a chance look at the car before Sunday. I had to travel to a business conference today and needed to know if I might have a car or needed to make other arrangements. They could have told me “likely not” on Thursday morning instead of stringing me out until Saturday afternoon.
Yes, it’s frustrating either way. But I’m not expecting to move to the front of the line. Just looking for some honesty and transparency so I can plan accordingly.
I learned a long time ago twhen they started putting all these electronics on the cars that there were 4 things that everybody should own: a voltmeter, a jump pack, a good charger and OBD code reader. at least when you have these, you can possibly solve the problem early on, and get more information as to what’s happening.
batteries don’t have much of a life to them. In my opinion, in the heat down here in Florida I replace mine every three years, whether it needs it or not.
I couldn't agree more about honest communication. I don't want to hear things that will make me happy in the moment only to have them prove to be untrue, most especially about servicing/scheduling. ..
I worked construction. A vendor would tell us, "we'll have it (parts/equipment) there Wednesday. We would make appropriate plans. It would show up Wednesday.... at quitting time. Frustrating.
Especially so if they keep moving you to the back of the line and never seem to have the time to even look at it.
Crazy. Dealer called this afternoon with a diagnosis: "Exterior Lighting Module: E7AC Rear license plate lamp module internally failed." This apparently causes the "trunk to open repeatedly and slowly drain the battery." They ordered the part and it should be ready Tuesday or Wednesday. It failed literally 2 weeks after the 3/36 factor warranty expiration.
I also need a state inspection. However, that cannot be done. The dead battery reset the emission monitor, so the car has to be driven another 100 miles. Then I can bring it back for a state inspection. Basically drive it home, run a few errands and drive it back as soon as I can get another appointment.
Cost of repair is just over $1000. For a friggin lamp module. Silver lining: my five week old extended warranty had paid off. Repair is fully covered and cost to me is $0.
The wait was frustrating, but at least this dealer is a straight shooter on service cost. They are much further than a few more local dealers, but they are the only one that have not tried to rip me off on extra costs or unnecessary service work.
Whew.... You scared me when you said 2 weeks after the 3/36 ran out.and the cost was $1000!.. So happy it's gonna get fixed for ZERO. .. That GM PPP gives me peace of mind even if I never need it.
Whew.... You scared me when you said 2 weeks after the 3/36 ran out.and the cost was $1000!.. So happy it's gonna get fixed for ZERO. .. That GM PPP gives me peace of mind even if I never need it.
Yeah... the extended warranty has almost paid for itself already. Although I'd be more than happy if I never have to invoke it again.
FWIW, although my 7 Vettes have all been DD's, when I got my 2014 C7 I bought a CTEK GM Logo equivalent charger I seldom used. Retired in 2000 and don't have to drive every day. But typically always drive a few times a week the ~50/60 mile round trip to town. On the trip to town, if car sat for ~4 days, it charges to the 80% capacity GM allows (to save energy.) Been on vacation with my two C7s AND my 2020 C8 for 3 weeks. Did NOT install the charger even then (too many lightening storms in summer and fried enough things plugged into the garage.) Plus GM says NOT needed.
@Andybump measured the parasitic draw of his C8. When all the battery saving circuits are fully activated (all by 20 minutes) he measured the parasitic draw at <10 milliamps. that is equivalent to a 0.12 watt bulb!
Below is what the 2014 Service Manual says about how long the car can sit and the battery still start the car:
Starting from 80% charge (where the alternator will charge the battery to save energy like many modern cars) even a 25 milliamp (mA) parasitic current draw can start the car after 33 days. With ~10 milliamps would be longer. Folks with C7's reported their car was at an airport for 5 weeks and started fine. I do monitor my battery voltage. After 3 years if it dips too low I replace it! Far easier than with a DD screwing around with chargers when NOT needed! It's not your father's Corvette!
PS: Funny for my E-Ray with it's Li-Ion battery would have thought it could be much longer. But spent the last year investigating and Conclude in my Doc pdf: http://netwelding.com/E-Ray_12_Volt_Battery.pdf Considering: 1) Tadge’s Statement; 2) Since we do not know the exact E-Ray Parasitic Current Draw: My Best GUESS is install a Charger before sitting ~4 Weeks.
This is what Tadge Juechter Emailed me soon after i got my E-Ray in February 2024, answering my question about how long the E-Ray Li-Ion battery can sit :
@Andybump measure the parasitic draw of his C8. When all the battery saving circuits are fully activated (all by 20 minutes) he measured the parasitic draw at <10 milliamps. that is equivalent to a 0.12 watt bulb!
Below is what the 2014 Service Manual says about how long the car can sit and the battery still start the car:
The chart shows, for whatever battery size that was, 33 days from 80% to 50% for 25 ma. So for 10 ma I suppose that is roughly 82.5 days, but probably does not account for the charge decay that happens even if there is no draw. Still it will be long time making it look like a maintainer is not necessary.
But, is "enough to start the car" really the only consideration? Many say that its best for battery life to not let it drop below 80%. And also, many say (and not without sources) that charge/discharge cycles is what shortens battery life. And cycling between 50% and 80% charge would probably be an example. So it would be my opinion that allowing it to drop to 50% is not really a good idea. Still - it takes a long time to get to that level, so yeah you can go a few weeks without concern (although GM recommends using it if more than week don't they?).
I learned a long time ago twhen they started putting all these electronics on the cars that there were 4 things that everybody should own: a voltmeter, a jump pack, a good charger and OBD code reader. at least when you have these, you can possibly solve the problem early on, and get more information as to what’s happening.
batteries don’t have much of a life to them. In my opinion, in the heat down here in Florida I replace mine every three years, whether it needs it or not.
In my electronics laden german cars (Audis and BMWs) I usually go 10 years before needing a new battery, I do top off the battery in the winter at least once though.
Crazy. Dealer called this afternoon with a diagnosis: "Exterior Lighting Module: E7AC Rear license plate lamp module internally failed." This apparently causes the "trunk to open repeatedly and slowly drain the battery." They ordered the part and it should be ready Tuesday or Wednesday. It failed literally 2 weeks after the 3/36 factor warranty expiration.
I also need a state inspection. However, that cannot be done. The dead battery reset the emission monitor, so the car has to be driven another 100 miles. Then I can bring it back for a state inspection. Basically drive it home, run a few errands and drive it back as soon as I can get another appointment.
Cost of repair is just over $1000. For a friggin lamp module. Silver lining: my five week old extended warranty had paid off. Repair is fully covered and cost to me is $0.
The wait was frustrating, but at least this dealer is a straight shooter on service cost. They are much further than a few more local dealers, but they are the only one that have not tried to rip me off on extra costs or unnecessary service work.
But, I think that's par for the course these days, you can't leave a dealer with any unscheduled service for under $1K, I think that's how they are set up to operate.
The chart shows, for whatever battery size that was, 33 days from 80% to 50% for 25 ma. So for 10 ma I suppose that is roughly 82.5 days, but probably does not account for the charge decay that happens even if there is no draw. Still it will be long time making it look like a maintainer is not necessary.
But, is "enough to start the car" really the only consideration? Many say that its best for battery life to not let it drop below 80%. And also, many say (and not without sources) that charge/discharge cycles is what shortens battery life. And cycling between 50% and 80% charge would probably be an example. So it would be my opinion that allowing it to drop to 50% is not really a good idea. Still - it takes a long time to get to that level, so yeah you can go a few weeks without concern (although GM recommends using it if more than week don't they?).
Nope that "One Week" was silly for the E-Ray and IMO for lead acid batteries. have let mine go 3 weeks with no issue. However admit for our last 3 week cruise when I had the C8 I installed my old CTEK charger for a day when there were no thunderstorms and then removed. It brought the lead Acid battery to 100%
As noted below, Tadge agreed the 1 week was not right in his Email he sent to me soon after I got my E-Ray in Feb 2024. Was wondering as even the paper copy that came with the car said the same "one week." So my suggestion even for the Li-Ion is 4 weeks max. This is what the difference was between the foolish working in the 2024 Owner's Manual for the E-Ray and the current 2025!
Unlike a Lead Acid that can get low and be recharged as can a Li-Ion BUT Li-Ion batteries contain internal contactors that open the battery at a prescribed low voltage FOR THAT BATTERY as protection. Quoting the 3 page GM TechLink re the e-Ray 12 volt Li-Ion battery: Under Voltage – In an under-voltage condition, the relay will open if any cell drops below 2.5 volts, which may occur when the battery is discharged below 11 volts. The relay can be closed under normal conditions by charging the battery using the EL-52800 E-XTEQ Diagnostic Charge Battery Station (DCBS)
The GM sold charger prescribes pushing the large Reset button for 10 seconds on the charger to close those protective contacts.
Large Red Reset Button on front left needs to be pressed for 10 seconds to close the protective low voltage contacts. (However a member with what appeared to be a dead E-Ray battery did that with not help. The dealer used a large Jump Box to start.)
But, I think that's par for the course these days, you can't leave a dealer with any unscheduled service for under $1K, I think that's how they are set up to operate.
I've owned 4 Corvettes and after having my battery crap out 350 miles from home I decided to just keep my car on a tender and buy a new battery every 3 years. Even so I had one go even with a tender on it in my C7 after 2 years and I jumped it and took it to the dealer and the tech told me he couldn't believe the car came with a 30 month battery ! Just replace one every 3 years and keep it on a tender you should not have a problem. I repeat, "should not have a problem!" 
