dead battery after sitting for 4-5 days - NJFBOA - Home of New Jersey's Camaros and Firebirds

WiMiMc · 09-19-2011, 08:30 AM

was weird i got in and turned on the accessories and it was fine, then after a few mins i tried to start it and nothing. after browsing on tech it seems to be a common problem for these cars. they've talked about drains, would the alarm system be a drain?

i'll try charging it, if it doesnt work this will suck buying a 2nd battery in a week (other one was for truck).

BigAls87Z28 · 09-19-2011, 08:43 AM

Depending on age, could just be time, especially now that the temps have dropped.
Anytime there is a massive drop in temp, battery sales spike.

WiMiMc · 09-19-2011, 08:59 AM

interesting because last week i got a new battery for the truck (it wasnt that cold) and now my moms battery is dead (on its way out last week) and last night i discovered the camaro's battery dead.

i checked and it from 2007

i'll let it charge tonight then see what happens

edpontiac91 · 09-19-2011, 09:19 AM

If it's from 2007 and it went down, just get a NEW one. It could have a bad cell and the next time it decides to not start will be at 2:00 am, in the middle of no where. Not worth the aggravation!

WiMiMc · 09-19-2011, 09:35 AM

yeah i was going out last night and after i got it running i was thinking of how many times my 3rd gen trolled me, so i drove the car down some industrial roads, came home, turned it off and tried starting it: dead.

i'll get a new one soon.

i just thought it was interesting because i heard how corvettes die after a few days of no use (guys unable to open the doors and getting stuck in) and then i saw a lot of threads about the camaros/firebirds dying after days of no use.

Stevoone · 09-19-2011, 10:18 AM

If you don't drive the car much I would look into a Battery Tender. I keep one on my car when it sits, has the same battery thats been in the car since I bought it (8 years ago)

edpontiac91 · 09-19-2011, 11:09 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Stevoone

If you don't drive the car much I would look into a Battery Tender. I keep one on my car when it sits, has the same battery thats been in the car since I bought it (8 years ago)

Car batteries are NOT like Twinkies (which last forever). At some point in the near future, it may start after taking it off the charger, but go some place far out, and it may not want to take a charge from the alternator. Then when it sits for several hours (like at a show) it not will turn over

. For the peace of mind that a new one would give you, it is worth the price. Having bragging rights to say the one you have is 8 years old is not cool.

Stevoone · 09-19-2011, 12:21 PM

I don't take the car anywhere I would be left stranded. It is stored at my work and I drive it home occasionally, I drive it maybe 1500 miles a year now that I have kids. It was my daily driver for about 3-4 years. Not really bragging about how old the battery is, if the battery in my DD was that old I would have replaced it.

I don't expect it to last forever and I would not be terribly upset if it died tomorrow. Something contributed to the battery lasting at least 8 years so far and the only thing I can see that would have kept it that long was the battery tender. I would not recommend a battery tender for a daily driver but IMO it is a good idea for any vehicle that sees infrequent use.

Anti_Rice_Guy · 09-19-2011, 12:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Stevoone

I don't take the car anywhere I would be left stranded. It is stored at my work and I drive it home occasionally, I drive it maybe 1500 miles a year now that I have kids. It was my daily driver for about 3-4 years. Not really bragging about how old the battery is, if the battery in my DD was that old I would have replaced it.

I don't expect it to last forever and I would not be terribly upset if it died tomorrow. Something contributed to the battery lasting at least 8 years so far and the only thing I can see that would have kept it that long was the battery tender. I would not recommend a battery tender for a daily driver but IMO it is a good idea for any vehicle that sees infrequent use.

Agreed. Our Camaro battery is 5+ years old as well and sits on a battery tender from March - November, then goes to offsite storage and the battery is shut off.

WildBillyT · 09-19-2011, 12:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Stevoone

I don't take the car anywhere I would be left stranded. It is stored at my work and I drive it home occasionally, I drive it maybe 1500 miles a year now that I have kids. It was my daily driver for about 3-4 years. Not really bragging about how old the battery is, if the battery in my DD was that old I would have replaced it.

I don't expect it to last forever and I would not be terribly upset if it died tomorrow. Something contributed to the battery lasting at least 8 years so far and the only thing I can see that would have kept it that long was the battery tender. I would not recommend a battery tender for a daily driver but IMO it is a good idea for any vehicle that sees infrequent use.

I would guess that your battery tender had a ton to do with the life of your battery. I am sure that a tender pays for itself rather quickly.

However even on a tender or maintenance system you can have batteries go bad and even split the case. I've had this happen to 12V batteries in the UPS grid here at work. Not good. Even with a tender I'd replace one at the 6 year mark just to be safe. They aren't THAT expensive.

edpontiac91 · 09-19-2011, 01:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by WildBillyT

I would guess that your battery tender had a ton to do with the life of your battery. I am sure that a tender pays for itself rather quickly.

However even on a tender or maintenance system you can have batteries go bad and even split the case. I've had this happen to 12V batteries in the UPS grid here at work. Not good. Even with a tender I'd replace one at the 6 year mark just to be safe. They aren't THAT expensive.

My point exactly. I use a battery tender on my Formula every time I put the car cover back on. Having worked in SEARS Automotive, I am quite aware of the unseen problems that batteries develop. If you were to take an 8 year old battery (that is still working) and put it in a tester, it would most likely have a positive reading, BUT it is WAY overdue on the life span (most are a 72 month) and there will be NO warning when it is about to go. If you figure the price of a really good battery over 5 years, it's cheap insurance to not have to think about WHEN will it go or how much more life can I squeeze out it. Just my

sweetbmxrider · 09-19-2011, 04:30 PM

Ac Delco makes 7 year batteries.

4 years is the average lifespan. As Al pointed out, the cold temps show their weakness. That is why they are rated a cold cranking amps at different temps.

WiMiMc · 09-20-2011, 10:40 AM

i'll look into an ac delco

hm so today i popped the hood to take the disconnect the battery, and when i put the wrench on the positive bolt, i saw little sparks. i've never really seen that before.

sweetbmxrider · 09-20-2011, 10:50 AM

Was the terminal loose? You should wiggle it and see if it moves back and forth. Be sure to clean them with a wire brush too if there is any corrosion.

edpontiac91 · 09-20-2011, 12:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by WiMiMc

i'll look into an ac delco

hm so today i popped the hood to take the disconnect the battery, and when i put the wrench on the positive bolt, i saw little sparks. i've never really seen that before.

You should always disconnect the Negative (black) cable first. When you install the battery, the Positive cable (red) goes on first.

JL8Jeff · 09-20-2011, 04:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sweetbmxrider

Ac Delco makes 7 year batteries.

4 years is the average lifespan. As Al pointed out, the cold temps show their weakness. That is why they are rated a cold cranking amps at different temps.

I think the original AC Delco battery lasted 7 years before the positive terminal rotted out and fell off one day.