Electrical Problems - 2003 Z06

[Bud]

I've just purchased a 2003 Z06 with 500 miles on it. I've found that if I let the car sit for more than 3 or 4 days that my battery goes dead. I took it to the local Chevrolet dealer and they said that this is normal - that I must use a trickle charger if the car will be sitting for more than 2 or 3 days. As well they also said that I must use a dry cell battery.

I can't find anything on this on the web. Can anybody verify that this is truly the case? It sure doesn't sound right to me.

Thanks,
Bud

 

[MsSchroder]

Bud,
First, welcome to the CAC.
2nd: This is definitely NOT normal.
My car sits for weeks (3 or 4) at a time without being cranked or driven. It cranks with NO problem after that time. This is with a (cheap) aftermarket battery, which replaced my stock battery after it failed 18 months into my car's life.

That is not an acceptable answer from your dealer.

Tammy

 

[vette747]

I would start to remove the fuses one by one and check how many amps is drained from the battery. You may need a high capacity ammeter. Set it up to 10-20 amp first. C5 should not drain more than 30 milliamp. It could also be caused by a faulty aftermarket remote starter or antitheft system.

If removing the fused does not isolate the problem, that means that it could come from a circuit witch is hot all the time. I.e. head light. Most of the time, there is a wire that goes from the battery to the starter solenoid. A hot wire starts from there and provide power to some accessories. You disconnect that wire and check if battery still drains. I hope someone could confirm that this wire is located on the solenoid on the C5 as well.

Well, you can start by pulling fuses one by one on the passenger foot well and under hood fuse panel.

on a side note, I saw two posts of C5 draining batteries because the interior light were always on. Please check on dark garage.

 

[68Roadster]

Bud,
At the top of the page is a search button, click on it and then click advance search.
For key words type in "battery drain" and select the C5 General and Technical Forum. There are several posts regarding battery drain. I would spend some time reading thru there and see what everyone else has been encountering. Heed any replies from c4c5specialist as he is the resident expert.

Good luck!

 

[wishuwerehere82]

This is not a normal battery drain as Tammy said.
I think you may have found out why your 2003 only has 500 miles on it. Or is that how many miles you put on it?
Here's some search links:
http://www.corvetteactioncenter.com/forums/showthread.php?t=8497&highlight=battery+drain
http://www.corvetteactioncenter.com/forums/showthread.php?t=54771&highlight=battery+drain
http://www.corvetteactioncenter.com/forums/showthread.php?t=47216&highlight=battery+drain
http://www.corvetteactioncenter.com/forums/showthread.php?t=35289&highlight=battery+drain

There are more if you do a search.
Also the reason a dry battery or gell-cell is reccommended is because the computer is directly under the battery box, and if the battery leaks acid it will kill the computer.

 

[c4c5specialist]

I've just purchased a 2003 Z06 with 500 miles on it. I've found that if I let the car sit for more than 3 or 4 days that my battery goes dead. I took it to the local Chevrolet dealer and they said that this is normal - that I must use a trickle charger if the car will be sitting for more than 2 or 3 days. As well they also said that I must use a dry cell battery.

I can't find anything on this on the web. Can anybody verify that this is truly the case? It sure doesn't sound right to me.

Thanks,
Bud

Hi there,
NOT NORMAL. Also, engineering tells us a Corvette battery should last 21 days without being disconnected. If it is going to be stored longer than that, then it will have to be disconnected.
YOur draw should not exceed 29 milliamps for a given reserve capacity of the battery itself.
Also, check your battery terminals, they should be torqued to 11 ft lbs. Look to see is there is anything loose, that would prevent the charging system from getting voltage back into the battery.
Aftermarket accessories can do this also, so make sure all are disconnected before attempting to check this problem out.
Allthebest, c4c5

 

[Bud]

Please click one of the Quick Reply icons in the posts above to activate Quick Reply.

 

[Bud]

Thanks so much for all the valuable feedback and advice. You all are great!

Bud