tprice

Just got back from vacation today and naturally i needed to run to the grocery store for steaks for supper and took the Vette

I backed out of garage and as I got ready to leave I noticed all kind of "service" codes on the DIC (anitlock brake service, Suspension and etc)


As I drove to the store I fooled with some of the buttons and got it to the mileage readout.

I even noticed the symbols lit up for traction control and ABS

I did notice the volt meter was little higher than normal

When I came back out from the store and started car again no codes or any symbols lit up

Am I correct to assume that over a week without starting was just a little weak battery issue

Since I have owned Vette it is driven at least every 2-3 days however this time it sat for 7-8 days

SkyTopp

Corvette sitting = battery bye bye = Christmas tree dash!

RicK T

Most likely.

Get a Battery Tender for future.

Steve_R

If your battery can't sit for a week you don't need a battery tender, you need to figure out what the problem is.

Vette_DD

You've got a parasitic draw that's zapping your battery.

APACHEDR1V3R

I don't know how old your battery is, but this past week, I started my car after leaving it sitting for 19 days and it didn't even hesitate in the slightest. I'm in TX and we've had triple digit temps where I am the last few weeks. Hard for me to believe Vettes just eat up batteries at the rate posted on this forum.

CO Lightfoot

To the OP: You have an '08 C6, right? 5 years is a decent life for a C6 battery.

So if you still have the original battery, start shopping for a new one NOW.

CO Lightfoot

Of course it's exaggerated on forums, where people post their problems. But dead battery issues are real... in a healthy C6, infrequent use is the #1 culprit.

And it's not just Corvettes. Google "Porsche dead battery", you'll get the idea.

Yes, your near-new 2013 C6 should be able to sit for weeks without problems. But if that's your typical monthly usage, your battery won't live long.

Use a good battery maintainer (CTEK, Battery Tender, etc). You'll get longer battery life. And IMO the peace-of-mind is worth the minor inconvenience.

I think some people are reluctant to use a battery maintainer because they've never used one. Or maybe they just don't know the easy ways to connect 'em:

http://forums.corvetteforum.com/1584317211-post26.html
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/c6-c...r-hook-up.html

Triumph Jerry

C6 is like a race car, the computers draw .08 amps while sitting.
Lead acid batteries HATE to be discharged even slightly, and will
immediately start to sulphate.
Your car may start, but you have damaged your battery and shortened
it's life.
If my C6 is going to sit for over 3 days, I put the C-tec on.
The reason for the DIC display, ...low voltage.

C6 is not your family sedan, and isn't that why you bought it?

Don-Vette

You most likely had a weak battery to begin with,you didn't mention how old it is. Replace the battery and use a battery tender. If the battery is newer have your charging system checked.

tprice

It is not original battery, it was replaced by original owner

Car started fine, not a single problem or sound of dragging or weak battery at the start

Wife and I went on a short cruise for an hour last night and no other issues at all

Red08

I recently returned from a 10 day vacation, and decided to unplug the battery tender, which is usually always connected. The car started right up, no issues or warnings etc. Now that I am home again, I do connect the tender just to be sure.

GSRANDY

I would suspect the battery as well.

When new,with only 300 miles my 2010 GS began setting all sorts of codes even with a battery tender connected when sitting.

Wasn't long and the battery lacked the power for the starter to roll the engine over.

Battery replacement resolved the issue................

Regards,

GSRANDY

Steve_R

LOL. No, the C6 isn't "like a race car." It's a GM car that, electronically, is no different from most other GM cars and trucks you can buy, most of which don't have OCD owners that put battery tenders on them if they sit for more than a few days and their batteries do just fine.

APACHEDR1V3R

Point taken.

I'm the type to rotate the use of my vehicles instead of letting the sit there. I forget that not everyone is like that though. I do have a tender that goes in the cigarette lighter which I'll be sure to use on my next driving hiatus.

I doubt I'll do the day to day thing though...that's a bit CDO...which is like OCD but with the letters arranged alphabetically...as they should be...

Marktexas

Same thing here, just got back from 2 week vacation, car sat outside in tx heat the whole time, started just fine, get a new battery.

AmericanVette

When it was warming up this spring I took the top off my C6. I ran over a pot hole on the road and immediately got "service active handling". I parked, turned the car off, put the top back on, started her up and the message was no longer there. For whatever reason when the top came off and there was a bump in the road that message would come on, but if I put the top back on and restarted it went away. Odd, but active handling continued to work properly.

Triumph Jerry

You're FOS.

TLS_Addict

My 12 didnt have any issues and either does my 13. They both sat for over a month at a time with no tender and never an issue. If its a new car I would say the battery wasnt properly prepped when new.

Steve_R

Well, that's a professional and enlightening reply.

Care to expound on your super-technical reply, or is that the extent of your knowledge about these cars?