2004 Z06 Battery completely dead after 30 days sitting, why?

[rsimoes]

After only 30 days or so, my 2004 Z06's battery is completely dead, no sign of life. The car only has 500 miles on it.

When I connected a charger to it, the headlight motors began making a clunk, clunk sound, but didn't move.

So I removed it and connected a portable jumper battery (booster pak) and everything seemed to work fine. I was able to open and close the headlights, no problem. No more weird noise.

I removed the backup battery and reconnected the charger and the mechanical noise begun again.

I pulled the fuses for the motors and left the charger on at 2 amps/hour.

My questions are:

Why is the battery dead after only 30 days. My 99 never did this.

What's with the headlights making noise when power is connected? Is this normal after complete power loss, or do I have problem in the headlight circuitry in my Vette?

Other then this issue, the cars was working fine when I put it away and the headlight system works fine with good battery. . .

Any thoughts? Similar experiences?

Thanks!

 

[drags1998]

Have herd of this before, A tech. told us it was due to a draw from the multipal computers on board, Hope this is not the case with all new highend cars,It would not be cool to have to charge the battery each time want to drive it!!!!!!

 

[Mike Mercury]

agreed.

Even though the ignition key is in the off position, there are still electronic modules drawing current. It's not much of a draw but would add up over time... especially 30 days.

 

[rsimoes]

I am aware that the 4 computers (Engine Control Module, Body Control Module, ABS/Traction Control computer, Left door control module, right door control module and radio presets) in the C5 draw power, but my 1999 could sit for 30 days and still start. . . but come to think of it, they significantly reduced the battery size over the last couple years, mostly due to the leaking side post issues. For 2004 it is a very small top post battery.

However, why are the headlight motors trying to do something when they get power? Is that normal? Or did that kill the battery?

 

[bradfordsvettes]

thirty days is a long time and with only 500 miles on the clock the battery never had a chance to charge correctly. how long did it sit on the dealer lot there are many variables. all the systems should shut down to a sleep mode in ten or 20 minutes and conserve battery power . also the key needs to be out of the ignition.do you have any aftermarket add ons steve

 

[rsimoes]

Yeah, I know about the keys. . . The car is bone stock, but it did sit at the dealer in the show room (Kerbeck) since September, so maybe the battery was dead then and they quick charged it when I bought it. Now for the second time (maybe) dead. If that's the case, this battery is now "tired". . . I guess time will tell. . .

 

[drags1998]

Im thinking, with 500 miles on the clock, thats at least 8 hrs. of drive time,Plus or minus an hr., If the bat. was DEAD when you took delivery,the 140 amp alt. should have FULLY charged the battery!!!!! by now. Have the dealer or AKNOWLEDGABLE FRIEND do a load test on the battery. If all checks OK,I would try (and I hate say it)installing a battery tender.LOW voltage could be cause of the headlites acting up,The BCM has to see 8-9 volts to control some of its functions. when you put a 2amp charger on it, ITS NOT ENOUGH!!!!!!! Hope this helps.

 

[rsimoes]

Cool, thanks for your input. I will fully charge the battery and load test it. (I have a load tester) If it checks out okay, I'll check the system for amp drainange.

We'll see what happens. . thanks.

Rob

Ps. The charger is set to 2 amps to slowly charge it, the battery tender is much like the trickle charger I have, they are about 1/2 amp to 1 amp, just to maintain. If the 2 amp setting doesn't do it, I'll switch it to 10 amps, but it's all 12 volts. (more like 14)

Thanks again.

 

[Dragonslayer]

I had the same trouble with my battery, so i bought a "battery tender" and keep it plugged in all the time. Now i just get in after 30+ days turn the key and go. This unit is a lifesaver. You can get it directly from the vendor @ battery tender .com

 

[bradfordsvettes]

if you do a draw test you need a switch between the negative cable and battery. it is much like a battery kill switch that is used by some people for storage.with that installed run the car and use all the accesories.you will need an amp meter with a ten amp scale. put the leads on each side of the switch and let the car sit a few minutes after shut down then open the switch and the draw will be displayed it may take as long as 20 minutes for every thing to go to sleep this is the only accurate way to test to a draw on the newer cars it should be at least less than 15 ma the lower the better hope this helps feel free to e-mail steve

 

[cdr63corv]

Call the dealor its under warranty right?

 

[rsimoes]

Oh yeah, it's under warranty, but I'm not taking it back for that. The battery is now fully charged with a maintainer on it, no problems, everything is working.

We'll revisit it in the Spring, if battery problems return. I'm sure it's all okay, the battery is just smaller than the earlier C5's. . .

Besides, me taking my car to the dealer is the absolute last resort. . .




Thanks for all the input.

 

[vettenuts]

Yup, same here. The headlight motors will clunk when you put extra power on if the battery is completely dead. Disconnect and then charge.


As for the draw, our new BMW will suck a new battery dry in a little over two weeks. A little bit of a concern if you leave it at the airport during vacation I would think:eyerole As for the Vette, I have an 02 with the AGM battery and a number of people have had them die in very bad places with no warning at all. One person even had his explode I am thinking about just ripping out the AGM this spring and replacing it with an Optima Red Top to prevent getting stuck. As for the AGM, I always attach my Battery Tender if I know I won't be driving the car for more then a week.

 

[582Boat]

Battery Dead

Same thing happen to me after 10 days, completely dead, checked the alternator that showed limited amp output, but upon putting in a new battery, all was working fine. Maybe a new battery would fix the problem.

 

[Dammit man]

Same thing happen to me after 10 days, completely dead, checked the alternator that showed limited amp output, but upon putting in a new battery, all was working fine. Maybe a new battery would fix the problem.

My 96 does it to, I put an optima in it and we will see.

 

[atmmac]

I just start up my car every 2 weeks. I do the same thing with the impala. Good for it to get the juices flowing. It also keeps the battery charged and gives yout hat feelingt hat summers on the way.

 

[froggy47]

I read somewhere that on newer cars 20 days is about all you can expect with a good fully charged battery. Battery tender or kill switch would work if you go over 20 days on a regular basis.

 

[Eagle Flight]

With the 04's having a top terminal config does that take care of the leaky C5 battery syndrome/history? I assume the leaks were from side terminal mounts and the torquing of that interface? Anyone seen this problem still on the 04?

Thanks in advance for the info! I've had my 04 for 3 1/2 months now as a daily driver.

 

[VETTEZ16]

Mine got sluggish after 20 days, I have a battery tender on it now. With the on board computer modules, 12 I believe not counting the clock, the draw is constant. But your car is new, so your battery may not have been fully charged. Have your dealer checked it out. DO NOT LEAVE YOUR CAR THERE. Ever hear of Ferris Buller. Heh heh!

 

[bluecoupe]

Yup, same here. The headlight motors will clunk when you put extra power on if the battery is completely dead. Disconnect and then charge.


As for the draw, our new BMW will suck a new battery dry in a little over two weeks. A little bit of a concern if you leave it at the airport during vacation I would think:eyerole As for the Vette, I have an 02 with the AGM battery and a number of people have had them die in very bad places with no warning at all. One person even had his explode I am thinking about just ripping out the AGM this spring and replacing it with an Optima Red Top to prevent getting stuck. As for the AGM, I always attach my Battery Tender if I know I won't be driving the car for more then a week.

Ditto on the Battery Tender but the Red Top is also an AGM battery just a cooler looking design. My next battery will be a new style (C6 type) slow discharge wet cell with top posts and cables like a 2005 Corvette. I am also going to build a fiberglass battery tray with a drain tube that hangs down below the body into a reservoir bypassing the wire harness and computer module under the battery location. (The drain tube is like what many motorcycles use.) I will also use a battery mat.