I make a rookie mistake, and ended up stranded

[fletch360]

Picture the scene.

On the way to work yesterday (in the C5), it was a bit foggy so I put the headlights on, which made the instruments dim, so I turned them up with the knob.
Happening to notice at the time that there was a nice “click” when the brightness was at full. (I can hear some of you laughing already)
I get to work, turn off the lights and lock up.

When I came to the car after work, I couldn’t unlock it. Nothing from the alarm fob. Yup… Flat battery.

I tried a jump start from a friend at work with a big diesel. No chance.
An hour and a half later Mr AA man turns up, whips his big battery out & connects it up... Nothing.
So he connects the battery from his flat bed, and the Vette fires into life first time.
I thank Mr AA man and proceed to drive off.

It’s dark now and I notice that ALL the interior lights are on, including the trunk lights. Now I’m confused and can’t turn them off via the normal means. (button on the mirror)
The dash lights are also bright, because I turned them up remember, so I go to turn them down, ... “click” ... Presto… the interior lights go off.

Yup... I’d obviously left the interior on all day and that had flattened my battery. ... Which I think is in need of renewal anyway. Well certainly is now.

So. What have I learned from this?

1. Read the handbook. PROPERLY.
2. Carrying Jumper cables is only useful if you carry a flat bed truck as well.
3. The prongs on the C5 battery are a right PITA.
4. It’s next to impossible to get hold of a replacement battery.

I just thought I’d share my embarrassment with you.


So, Where’s a good place to get a C5 battery from?

[Dee Gee]

I managed that once. A little embarrasing. I ended up with an Optima Red Top.

If its the original AC Delco I agree and I'd change it on spec. They have a terrible reputation for leaks particularly the older ones. With the computers under the battery tray its not worth the risk.

I'll be interested to hear where people find their batteries in UK.

[fletch360]

I've found a place that do the Optima Red Top in Sheffield.
Waiting on a call back re stocks now. :foottapping:

www.sybsgroup.co.uk/

[fletch360]

According to a post on CCCUK I need one of these.

Model Number
BCI 75
Part Number
8022-255
Technical Specifications
12V, 44Ah
Cold Cranking Amps (EN): 730 CCA
Reserve Capacity: 90 minutes
Weight(kg): 15
Dimensions(mm)
237 Long, 172 Wide, 194 High


None in stock ... Will take a week.

But I can have one of these, that's also got the posts on the side, today ???
Model Number
BCI 78
Part Number
8004-250
Technical Specifications
12V, 50Ah
Cold Cranking Amps (EN): 815 CCA
Reserve Capacity: 104 minutes
Weight(kg): 17.6
Dimensions(mm)
254 Long, 175 Wide, 200 High

Apart from the "rest" it's 17mm longer ???
Any thoughts?

[te51cle]

Have you tried Keith Besci of Eurovettes ? He was able to supply me with a Red Top at a good price and on next day delivery earlier this year. The Optima spiral cell batteries are about as techno-sexy as a bettery can get, works well too. Cheap and quick alternatives can be had from your local Vauxhall dealer though, there's a battery for the Sintra that fits the Corvette precisely, I think Adetuono posted the details this summer.

[te51cle]

I have the second one on your list, the 815CCA version and it fits perfectly. Just watch what you're doing with BOTH ends of your spanner as the terminals are comparatively close together and you could short them out accidentally !

[owenemyr]

Optima red tops's were being offered on e-bay on a buy it now basis by a guy in Pontypool, S.Wales. I think the price was about £113, dont know if this is competative or not.

[v8d]

Get a red top, definitely. CPC in Twickenham have them in stock for £113. They have several technical advantages over conventional flat plate lead acid, and can never leak. If they were good enough for the Paris Dakar Landrovers and the Lotus GT racers, I figure they are good enough for anything! In the meantime, If you want a stock C5 AC battery, you are welcome to have my original. Perfectly good battery, just dont trust it in case it leaks and wipes out my PCM and engine harness.

[Adetuono]

One other benefit of the Red Top is that there are extra (covered) terminals on the top of the battery, so if you do get a flat, it's easy to jump.

Most battery specialists will get you one if you ask them. I got mine for (I think) about £125.

[fletch360]

Thanks guys.
I'm off to pick up the larger one this afternoon.

I'm just glad that my first "breakdown" was a simple one.

[Buttmonkey Racer]

Fletch - For what its worth I did exactly the same earlier this Summer leaving the car stranded on Ecclesall Road Central Sheffield for the afternoon. Once done never forgotten

[franv8]

I did this - (same on C4, early ones anyway). With similar result - luckily on my driveway! Of course the first thing I couldn't understand was the massive power draw, thinking, hmm, old wiring in a C4 loom - how am I going to find that fault?

I've had the cheat Vauxhall Sintra battery for about 4 years now, it works a treat, despite the car often being left for a week plus at a time. It was about £40 from memory. But is a nightmare to get to the side terminals for jumping/on car charging.

My mum got an optima battery from Keith too for her Firebird (Eurovettes). Worth the effort

[franv8]

I did this - (same on C4, early ones anyway). With similar result - luckily on my driveway! Of course the first thing I couldn't understand was the massive power draw, thinking, hmm, old wiring in a C4 loom - how am I going to find that fault?

I've had the cheat Vauxhall Sintra battery for about 4 years now, it works a treat, despite the car often being left for a week plus at a time. It was about £40 from memory. But is a nightmare to get to the side terminals for jumping/on car charging.

My mum got an optima battery from Keith too for her Firebird (Eurovettes). Worth the effort

[fletch360]

Glad I'm not alone.

franv8 said:

Of course the first thing I couldn't understand was the massive power draw, thinking, hmm, old wiring in a C4 loom - how am I going to find that fault?

I was thinking similar at the time.
Especially after the odd noises being made while trying to jump it from a friends car.

[vetteheadracer]

I got my Yellow top Optima from a company called Supac in Bridgend www.supac.co.uk I think. I went there to pick it up and they had loads of Red top, Yellow tops etc. The one they sold me fits the hole perfectly infact I think it is about an inch shorter which means it isn't such a p.i.t.a. getting your hands on it to remove it. Also helps that the Optimas come with side posts and also top posts so should you ever need to jump start again you have something to clamp to.

If it makes you feel any better when I first drove mine none of the dash or HUD worked......the light was turn down to the off position. It took me most of the first drive to figure this out......just as well as I was all for taking it back to the dealer!

[yellowshark454]

Had my C5 for 5yrs + before I realised that "switch" would turn on the interior lights!

[anonymous-user]

yellowshark454 said:

Had my C5 for 5yrs + before I realised that "switch" would turn on the interior lights!

I'm embarrassed to say that back in the 1980s I removed the interior light bulb from a hire car because I couldn't work out how to turn it off. We live and learn!

[franv8]

I'd be really careful jumping a Vette (as in jump STARTING before anyone says). I've heard of a few ECU frying sessions from this. Not a problem though if you just use a booster battery pack.

[yellowshark454]

franv8 said:

I'd be really careful jumping a Vette (as in jump STARTING before anyone says). I've heard of a few ECU frying sessions from this. Not a problem though if you just use a booster battery pack.

Jumped my mate's Cobra with my '73 BB a few years back at Le Mans. Buggered my battery and alternator!Fortunately managed to get back to Le Havre though. My Vettes will now never jump another car, mate or no mate!

[LuS1fer]

This is common enough. I turned up the illumination on my Mustang and about ten minutes later can't work out why I can't turn the interior lights off at the mirror. LOL.