I was excited today...went to drive my Z for the first time after
winter. The battery was dead.
I disconnected the cables and hooked up my battery
charger. IT WON'T EVEN ACCEPT THE CHARGE !
My car has only 1200 miles and the battery is trash.
Any suggestions ? Do you think the battery's under warranty ?
__________________
Pat - Sig forcibly restrained by the Sig Police
1985 Coupe/Red with Grand Sport wheels
2002 Z06/Millennium Yellow/Black/All but PSMs
Built 8/22/01!!! Delivered 8/29/01
Location: Mt Juliet, TN Z06 FEST PARTICIPANT I II III IV V VI & VII
Posts: 18,151
Mr CPA:
It sounds as if you left the battery cables connected during the winter. If so, the battery is continually being drained by the electronic circuitry....such as the clock.
Best to remove the battery and keep it stored indoors with a trickle charger during winter storge.
Hope the dealer helps you out with this...keep us posted.
Yup I agree with Zippy and get the tender/trickle charger. It doesnt matter how many miles you have, its how long you let your car sit. I am sure you will be covered by warranty...good luck!
I think that with all the computers in the car that require battery current to keep all the memories the battery will be drained if it sits longer than 3 weeks.
Two options:
1. Drive it least once every three weeks.
2. Install a battery tender (sold by the NCM with logo) so it's ready to go when you are.
Another thing to be aware of is that the AGM batteries in the Z06 don't act quiet the same as the lead acid type. They will not take a large charge rate if they are dead. They kinda of trickle charge until the voltage comes up, then the current increases. The "Battery Tender" is made for this type of battery!
Originally posted by WB6HRO I think that with all the computers in the car that require battery current to keep all the memories the battery will be drained if it sits longer than 3 weeks.
Two options:
1. Drive it least once every three weeks.
2. Install a battery tender (sold by the NCM with logo) so it's ready to go when you are.
Yes, I agree.
After four weeks sitting it will still have some charge to light up, but engine wont turn over. I know it because it happened to me this winter.
Now everytime I am done driving I'll pop the hood and hook it to a battery trickle charger. The one I bought has an amp selector for 2, 10 or 75 amps (for engine start) Works great.
The battery may be dead, but stick the battery charger on it and leave it on 2 amp slow charge. Eventually it will take it and start charging.
Then charge for 24 hours at the low rate.
It should be ok then.
Alex
I was just told the same by my local Chevy service center.
He told me they've had 15 or so dead 'Vette batteries in the last few weeks. I've always stored cars in the winter and have never had this problem. The service manager told me it's because of the computer/alarm/etc. that draws alot of juice even when the car's parked. BTW, they will give me a new battery for free if this one will not take a charge.
THANKS EVERYBODY !
I would just take the new battery because even if your old battery does charge up, it will never be as strong as it was (unless it was a deep cycle battery like the Yellow top Optima)...good luck!
My car sat 12 weeks and started right up No battery tender either. Try manually locking the doors instead of using the key fob and see if this helps. This is the technique I use and seems to work!!!!!
This spring, upon 'wake up', my Zee was deader than dead. I thought I plugged in the battery tender but some how didn't. I put the regular charger on at the slowest pace for recharge and 24 hours later, good as new. It's been almost a month now and no trouble at all. Truth is, a battery tender is your best friend. Bill
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