Dead battery from a freak eletrical issue?

[Billy Mild]

Last night I wanted to take the Corvette out. It has been on jackstands the past few weeks while I wait to see if leaks coolant.

I tried to hop in the corvette only to find the battery was dead. I checked the battery with a multi meter and saw only 1.5 volts. I put the battery on my 6 AMP charger. I noticed at that time the lights inside the car came on. So I turned the headlights on and off, at that time the lights inside the car went out. I left the charger on for another 30 minutes. At that time I switched to my automatic float charger to continue overnight.

This morning I went to check battery voltage. It only got up to 11.9 volts overnight. I went inside the car and the lights inside would not come on. The battery was dead it seemed. I went to flip the headlight switch the interior lights went on and the headlights worked as well.

I went to shut the door and once again the interior lights would not shut off. I tried opening both doors and closing them. Didn't make a difference. I noticed that that the SECURITY light in the gauge cluster was not flashing but was solidly lit.

I tried to use the power locks, lock and unlock. Well I ended up locking my keys in the car by accident and the SECURITY light was still lit and interior lights were on. I decided to unhook the battery and just leave it on the trickle charger.

Any suggestions on what could be causing this weird issue?

[USAZR1]

You have load-tested your battery,correct?

[Kevin]

I had a battery issue years ago that came back about two years ago, the doors have a plunger on them that goes in when the door closes and out when the door opens to trigger the lights, mine were sticking. I preyed the DS one one out with a small screw driver and sprayed it down with wd40 till it worked properly

[GOLDCYLON]

The battery is bad and prob has an internal short. I would get it load tested and replace it.

[Billy Mild]

NNOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!!

Its an interstate battery too. Should I just get whatever kind of battery or is there a brand that is better than another. Advance has a $50 coupon right now.

[Kevin]

I'd call aaa and have them do the swap. They were $12 more then sears when I needed a new battery in my mustang and have a far better warranty

[Billy Mild]

I'd call aaa and have them do the swap. They were $12 more then sears when I needed a new battery in my mustang and have a far better warranty

I have roadside assistance from my insurance company. I don't really have an issue swapping a battery myself.

[Billy Mild]

What size optima battery will fit in the ZR1? Is that a good battery?

[GOLDCYLON]

What size optima battery will fit in the ZR1? Is that a good battery?

I have a red top with the top and side posts. They are pretty good and I am very satisfied with mine. You will need the mod (shave) the underside of the Cruise control bracket to allow clearance for the top posts. Its a mod that cant be seen as is under the bracket. About 20 mins work with a Dermal.

[Billy Mild]

So it looks like my battery is okay for now. I left it on the trickle charger and the Z fired right up.

Now I am starting to see what could be causing this issue. A while back I had a problem with 1 or both door switches. My interior lights would randomly come on. At the time I sprayed some liquid wrench penetrating oil in order to free them up. That seemed to fix the issue I was having. So now it looks like that problem may be coming back up. When my door is shut the interior lights stay on. If the key is in the ON/Running position the lights will go out. When I turn the key off again the interior lights come on. Any suggestions what could be causing that issue?

[XfireZ51]

Swap out interior bulbs to LEDS. They can be on for days without draining the battery. You could also put a little 2sided emblem adhesive behind the door switch. That will bring the plunger closer and make sure it turns off.

[Billy Mild]

The LED bulbs is a good idea.

I think the switch just needs to be replaced altogether.

I assume the interior door panel needs to come off? What is the best place to get a new one.

[QB93Z]

The LED bulbs is a good idea.

I think the switch just needs to be replaced altogether.

I assume the interior door panel needs to come off? What is the best place to get a new one.

The interior door panel does not need to be removed.

Unfortunately the only door switches I have been able to buy are a cheap replica of the original AC Delco switch. I had one fail the first time I shut the door. I buy them three at a time now because I know some will fail quickly.

GM Part 10098478. I get them from GMPartsDirect.com

There is an oval plate behind the switch that the two screws attach to. The trick is to remove the switch without dropping the plate down into the door. Remove both the screws. Next wiggle the switch and pull the switch and the connector out through the hole. The plate is on the wire, inside the door, at this point. Replace the switch on the connector. Using a right angle tipped pick tool, thread it through one of the screw holes in the door and then through one of the screw holes in the plate. Pull the plate against the opening and thread the connector and the switch into the door. The pick will hold the plate so you can start a screw in the other screw hole. Once the first screw has engaged with the plate, remove the pick and start the second screw.

Good luck,

Jim

[Billy Mild]

The interior door panel does not need to be removed.

Unfortunately the only door switches I have been able to buy are a cheap replica of the original AC Delco switch. I had one fail the first time I shut the door. I buy them three at a time now because I know some will fail quickly.

GM Part 10098478. I get them from GMPartsDirect.com

There is an oval plate behind the switch that the two screws attach to. The trick is to remove the switch without dropping the plate down into the door. Remove both the screws. Next wiggle the switch and pull the switch and the connector out through the hole. The plate is on the wire, inside the door, at this point. Replace the switch on the connector. Using a right angle tipped pick tool, thread it through one of the screw holes in the door and then through one of the screw holes in the plate. Pull the plate against the opening and thread the connector and the switch into the door. The pick will hold the plate so you can start a screw in the other screw hole. Once the first screw has engaged with the plate, remove the pick and start the second screw.

Good luck,

Jim

Well that would have been nice to know. I lost that metal piece back there.

[5ABI VT]

I would check the terminals. undo the neg and positive and clean them and put them back on. I had a similar issue once and the terminal was corroded a bit and not very tight. Just thought I'd chime in a simple step that you could check before proceeding.

[Schrade]

Interior lights staying on COULD be the Delayed Accessory Bus, if equipped...

[GOLDCYLON]

Well that would have been nice to know. I lost that metal piece back there.

Yep now the lower part of the door panel needs to be removed, make sure you raise the winow for your search in the back side of the inner door.