• Got the Contributing Memberships stuff finally worked out and made up a thread as a sort of "How-To" to help people figure out how to participate. So if you need help figuring it out, here's the thread you need to take a look at -> http://www.corvetteflorida.com/forums/showthread.php?t=3581 Thank you, everyone! Rich Z.

C5 battery/alternator

S

stormin9mm

New member
Battery was dead this morning, Optima yellow top, never had issues in the few months I have had the car. Had it jumped this morning and meter is reading 13 volts. Battery states 02/09 date but warranty is only good for original purchaser. Could the alternator be going bad, or maybe a tensioner pulley? Trying to avoid new alternator if possible.
Any quirks in the C5 charging system to know about? Thanks or any info.
 
On the C5 dead battery begs for several places to look before pitching the battery.
1) terminals clean and tight, very fussy
2) ground connections on frame could be dirty, common
3) connection at starter, if the silonoid is going bad even a slight tug on the wire may allow it to start
4) etc.........etc..........

If your gage is showing 13.5 to 14.1 volts when running it's probably not the alternator.
Discount Auto or Advances will test the battery for free.

I'm sure some of the Pro's will jump in here :thumbsup:
 
Use a voltmeter to check at the terminals on the batt. with the motor off. Then start the car and check the voltage again. If the voltage hasn't changed, you might have a bad alt. The alt. should always put out more than the batt. with the motor running so it can charge the batt. while you're driving. Or, as Mannings said, have Auto Zone or some place check it for you.
 
Using a volt meter you should be at 14 plus volts with the car running,a battery will check 12 + volts with the car off and the alternator should give you another 2 plus volts.If not it could be the alternator :thumbsup:
 
battery

Had the car jump started yesterday and the car started fine all day. Battery was dead this morning. Car volt meter is running just over 13 volts with car running. If the battery was good, would it not hold some power and not be completely dead? Trying a new battery this morning, since it is cheaper than a new alternator. Didn't realize alternators for the Corvette were so expensive.
 
stormin9mm said:
Had the car jump started yesterday and the car started fine all day. Battery was dead this morning. Car volt meter is running just over 13 volts with car running. If the battery was good, would it not hold some power and not be completely dead? Trying a new battery this morning, since it is cheaper than a new alternator. Didn't realize alternators for the Corvette were so expensive.
Click to expand...
Probly a good Idea,OPTIMA have some problems!!Been There,Done That!! :thumbsup:
Went back to a AC Delco!!:D
Better check out your Charging system though,a Diode going south or a internal regulator will run a battery dead usually purdy quick!!:thumbsup:
 
gmjunkie said:
Probly a good Idea,OPTIMA have some problems!!Been There,Done That!! :thumbsup:
Went back to a AC Delco!!:D
Better check out your Charging system though,a Diode going south or a internal regulator will run a battery dead usually purdy quick!!:thumbsup:
Click to expand...

Yeah, I've got an Optima Red Top in my C5Z and it just won't hold a charge more than two weeks. I'm going to replace it.

AC Delco, huh...... Do they make a gel style battery? I'm reluctant to put a lead acid type right overtop all that wiring and cpu stuff.
 
There's just no telling about batteries no matter who makes 'em. I've had my Optima red top for about 15 months with no problems after the factory batt. went south.:shrug01:
 
I have had batteries normally last for three years or better. But I'm thinking that perhaps they are now made out of the country, so perhaps that is a factor in their reduced lifespan. Been my experience that just about anything made in China or Mexico just does not hold up all that well.
 
battery

Went out to make sure my car would still start and now the rear view mirror lights won't go off. Does the C5 system shut off accessories after ten minutes like the C6 does? Battery is goping to die for sure if I can't figure how to turn them off. Thanks for any ideas.
 
Yes, they shut off by themselves. Might be the cause of your problem....
 
This may sound simple but make sure the reading light switches on the bottom of the mirror are off. If they're inadvertantly turned on, maybe while you were adjusting the mirror, they'll stay on after the door closes and the accessories time out. Don't know of any way to disable the reading lights other than pulling a fuse which would probably disable other stuff as well.
 
Are they actually the switch on/off reading lights, or the one that lights up the shifter so you can see it? Two different thingies...
 
If its the battery and you purchased it, They will exchange them for up to 3 years I think Norman.

Both of my yellow tops in the truck are depleted.
They use to make the best batteries, I don't know what happened
 
battery

Rashelle, Greg doesn't have a used/working okay alternator laying around
does he for a C5? Hate putting alot of money into something that may not be the problem. The Optima battery warranty is supposedly only good for the original purchaser from what I am told.
 
stormin9mm said:
Rashelle, Greg doesn't have a used/working okay alternator laying around
does he for a C5? Hate putting alot of money into something that may not be the problem. The Optima battery warranty is supposedly only good for the original purchaser from what I am told.
Click to expand...

Do you have a Volt Ohm meter?? If so you can check out the alt easily!!
If Not you can buy a cheap one at Radio Shack for $10-$15!! :thumbsup::thumbsup:

Believe it or not,it's purdy nice to have one laying around just to check different things out!!:thumbsup::thumbsup::thumbsup:
 
dead battery

i had the same problem. but i had a delco battery. a loose wire at the starter was the culprit. cleaned & tightened the wire . all is good :thumbsup:
 
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