Gbannish

Hi,

Having lurked here for years, I should know why I can't start my car (99 FRC) and it's sitting outside the coffee shop right now with absolutely no power. If anyone could be so kind as to define my stupidity and perhaps offer advice to fix, I would be appreciative.

History:
Last week the car hadn't been driven in weeks and would barely turn over but not start. I charged the battery, in the car, with one of those larger battery chargers on wheels (set on the "fast" 40 amp setting that's supposed to charge the battery within ~2 hours). I did that for 1 hour, then dropped to the slow 2 amp charge for a few hours. After removal, the car started right up. I drove around the neighborhood, then parked in my driveway.

Not wanting this to reoccur, I bought a delran battery tender and hooked it up. I didn't check to see if it was charging, just assumed so.

One week later, today, I started up the car (started right up) and drove 2 miles to a coffee shop. Locking the car with my key fob seemed a little slower or less crisp for some reason. After getting my coffee, I unlocked the car with the key fob. Once in the car and turning the key, there is absolutely no power to anything (instrument cluster, radio, nothing).

So to overanalyze and be paranoid, I am worried that:
-burned out alternator?
-bad battery (it is 3 years old, a die-hard)?
-bad key fob battery?
-car stuck in anti-theft mode?

Having walked home, dranken my coffe, I will now drive out and try to jump start the car, perhaps removing the battery leads to see if that will reset anything. If the above fails, it's off to buy a battery. If that fails too, I'm looking at a tow unless someone here has an alternative idea.

Thanks for your help, and please go a little easy on me!

Greg

Paul Wood

I am no expert but having read a good bit here on the forum you might first check to see if the connections to the battery terminals are clean and tight. I believe that the standard is 11 foot lbs. C5 is very sensitive to voltage. How old is the battery? Some of the early model C5s had issues with battery terminals failing. I would take the battery to auto parts store and have it load tested and to see if it will accept a charge. Good luck.

Gbannish

Thanks guys,

I tried to jump start it and no luck at first. But then when I removed and then replaced the battery connections, some of the electric stuff came back on (hood light, radio, etc.). After charging for 5 minutes, the engine turned over and started.

I had 12.3V at the battery before doing anything, 14.3V after attaching the jumper cables.

I'm thinking most of my problem is corroded terminals (looked a little dirty), with a questionable battery. The corrosion probably prevented my battery tender from charging over the last week, and/or maybe the battery is also shot. Now that it is home in my driveway, I will clean and/or replace those items as needed.

Regarding the relays, I heard a bunch of slight electrical noises from the passenger footwell area while charging, probably what you were referring to.

Thanks for the help.

01vetter

Your battery terminals might also be just loose! I have had that problem twice. The terminal has a slight collar on it that fits into a recess on the battery. If the terminal isn't centered before you tighten it the collar will get hung up on the battery case. The bolt will feel tight but in reality you have a poor connection. Just grab the wire about 3" below the terminal and wiggle the wire. If the terminal rotates you have a loose connection.

dgrant3830

If its not the battery connections, check the battery to starter solenoid as this is where things come together. Those connections down there can come lose over time. Do not forget that it is electrically hot there unless you disconnect the battery negative cable.