vette99coupe

I replaced the battery in our 99 coupe two weeks ago with a brand new Red top Optima. The car has been in the garage for the past two weeks but I just started it and let it run for about 15 minutes two days ago. Went out again today to start it and it's dead as a door nail. Nothing!

Are looking at a problem with the battery or is there a problem somewhere else within the car? I haven't taken the battery back to Autozone yet...wanted to have more information before I go there or two a mechanic.

Anyone have similar experiences or know something that would help me out??

Thanks

You can also email me at thetrunkman@earthlink.net or just leave a response to the post here. I will be checking back later today.

93vetteguy

Did you leave the keys in the car ignition after you started her two days ago. There is some draw down from the key, but two days should have not been a big deal. Light On? It stayed dormant for a week and started right up correct , two days later dead Sound like something stayed on..

2blklt4

take it back

mymaur

AC54ME

Couple of possible issues (non- bad battery conditions).

Since you have a '99 - it has the passive key mode (entrance). If the key fob is left to close to the Vette it can activate the entry system - drawing the battery voltage down (in the early days for the Forum C5 section this situation was a common occurrence - the best remedy was to turn off the passive entry on the key fob).

Another issue that is quite common (again in the early days) is people left the radar detector and/or the cell phone adapter plugged in (to either the cig lighter or the console accessory). Either of these will draw down the battery since they are 'active' with key off or on.

Lastly - was the battery fully charged prior to installation? If not, and it had been on the shelf for a long period, it is possible that all it needs is a good charge.

vette99coupe

I assume the battery was fulled charged when I bought it. When I started the car two days ago, the battery read 13.9 on the gauges. Going to take it back to Autozone tonight and see what they say.

silverbullit99

It's the battery,, I had one as well. If not used for more than a week it would be dead,, I took mine back and got a full refund..

vette99coupe

You are right...it was the battery. Autozone tested it and it was "bad." They gave me another new one. The old one did have a manufacture date of 7/06. This one is 2/07.

Are you telling me that this one will do the same thing if I let it sit for more than a week? Is that something the others have had problems with....Red Top Optima's in corvettes???

Maybe I need to start another "post" to see about that.

Thanks

Hopefully this new battery will be fine.

Ol'55

I strongly suggest you get a "float charger" and keep the Vette on it whenever parked. I'm a firm believer in this practice and feel your battery and electronics will thank you for it. The strain on an idle battery (Vettes in the winter) is raised in cold climates. I do see you're in Carlisle,Pa. Cold this time of the year in Western Pa. I would imagine.

Dave68

There have been MANY problems with Red Tops posted here in C5 General and technical sections - lots of early failures. Hopefully, your second one lasts longer than the first. My OEM AC Delco is still going strong after 5.5 years.

zozmanZ06

Same exact thing happened to me. Bought the red top from Auto Zone for my Z28 and it was dead within two weeks. Held a whopping 5 volts. The freshness code on it was within a month of purchase date. Took it back to the Zone and they gave me another. That one is working fine. The other red top on my Z has a Battery Tender on it and is good.

DeeGee

If it was a bad battery that explains it.

I'd still do a drain check in case it is a problem with the car. Bill Curlee posted a good method. I'm convinced that many of the battery faults on this car are because theres a drain from something hooked up. Undoubtedly the Red Top doesn't like being flattened. Mine was dormant for 2 months in transit and DOA. I now have a yellow top which supposedly copes better with low useage.

If you only plan to drive occasionally invest in a battery tender. Get one specially made for AGM batteries. Willfulone sells them here.

Despite what you hear, Red Tops are not as bad as some make out. Early AC Delcos were way worse and leaked. I hear that's now sorted out. Take a look here:

http://forums.corvetteforum.com/show....php?t=1469503

BiggieBoy

What!!! A Red Top failing after 2 weeks. And I suppose this is a great shock to many of you...... These batteries have a loooong history of premature cell failure----this one just failed a little quicker than most.

TOOGECKO

I bought a Yellow top last year and it did the same thing. Replaced battery and problem came back. It turns out that I had a relay "sticking" that was causing a drain. The moral here is be certain that you make sure nothing is staying on when you shut your car off. After a week with a voltage meter, I finally found my gremlin...

Scuba Ghost

What the heck has happened to Optima's quality??? When I first got on the forum (4 years ago) all you heard was how great the red/yellow tops were. Now people are having trouble after 2 weeks .
Heck my OEM Delco is still going strong after almost 4 years.

jimcork1

I don't know what is the right? replacement battery.

My delco leaked and damaged the car, 8 hrs to repair/repaint the damage. New optima red lasted 21 months then dropped to 7 volts or so. Took it back for the standard bla bla about your alternator,, bla bla and they tested the battery said it was good . But they decided to replace it anyway because under load it appeared to drop voltage too fast. . But the new battery works ok for now, the question is how long will it last and will it leave me stranded like the last red top.

Now for Optima quality,, what's that. If I ever had a battery last 4 years and not leak I would think I have found "IT".

So where is the quality. Jim

dgrant3830

On my '99, the OEM battery had the positive terminal break off and fortunately I had the hood open and was right there when it happened. I've had two batteries since that time. One was from Costco and the other from Sam's Club. They've worked out just fine. The last one was a whole $43. Those club stores are starting to carry the Optima's but now having doubts about their reliability based upon what I'm reading here. I'm wondering if there are just a few failures out of the majority or is this a larger problem?

cedge

if your corvette is driven once a month, twice a month, or whatever kind of routine you have that is sporatic, hook up a battery tender and just plug it in every time you park it, its easy and you wont have to worry. my optima is 31/2 yrs old no problems.

Vetteman Jack

Seems like Optima has had some problems lately with their batteries. I've got a red top in mine and it is 5.5 years old and still going strong, But I do keep a battery tender hooked to mine when I'm not driving it for any extended period of time.

mrm1149