Need Help with my Battery! Please advise - Camaro5 Chevy Camaro Forum / Camaro ZL1, SS and V6 Forums

FirstCamaro23 · 01-08-2011, 05:49 PM

I need some advice.

I live in Wisconsin, so at the beginning of Decemeber, I got my camaro ready for winter storage. I washed and waxed it, put stabil in the gas tank, put foam under the tires, and put my cover on it. My garage is attached to my house, insulated, but unheated.

Today i opened the door to get something out of it, and i noticed the dome lights did not go on. I put the key in the ignition and the battery was as dead as a door nail!!!!! I can't believe that after only 1 month of storage, the battery would drain completely. I verified i did not leave my dome light on in the cab also.

So, my question is Has anyone else run into this problem with their winter storage?

I tried to charge the battery though the positive terminal and grounding bar that is under the hood, and it kept tripping the charger. Do i need to charge the battery directly when this happens?

To prevent this happening, should i invest in a battery tender for the winter too?

I appreciate any comments on this issue

Camaro_Custom_Painted · 01-08-2011, 05:59 PM

I can't speak to the amount of draw on the battery while not running, so I don't know how long it will last before going dead. But you most certainly should have a tender on it, for no other reason than a dead battery will freeze whereas a charged one will not.

C586 · 01-08-2011, 09:05 PM

Yes. Get a tender. Charging a battery and letting it die and repeating that cycle is about the worst thing you can do for a battery. If my car is going to sit any longer than a week my tender goes on. Get a deltran one and it installs and you just plug it in when needed.

Rogey89 · 01-08-2011, 09:13 PM

I did everything you've done, with the addition of the battery tender. I highly recommend it.

heRS · 01-08-2011, 09:32 PM

Yes. The battery tender is a must.

FirstCamaro23 · 01-09-2011, 07:23 PM

One clarification is that I only had the camaro stored for 3 weeks!

I am a little worried if my battery is completely drained after only 3 weeks. Something else is going on here that is drawing a lot of amps from the battery.

bono83 · 01-10-2011, 02:25 AM

Tender is a must for storage, but your battery should't be dead after only 3 weeks.

djsnoflake · 01-10-2011, 04:29 AM

Seems kinda weird to me that it would trip your charger, combine that with it going dead in only 3 weeks, and it seems even more suspicious.

Tazdevil · 01-10-2011, 05:23 AM

Heres the bigger question, if cars are sittting in a dealership all winter with no battery tender on them, what do they not die? Mine has been closed up in the garage for well over 2 months now, went out and started it no issues. Purrred like a pusssy cat, another 3 months to wait before all the salt sand and slushy snow is gone....... sheesh.

ToolFan66 · 01-10-2011, 05:23 AM

Thanks for the thread, I will have to get a battery tender as well.

What is the foam under the tires?? and where do you get them?? I know this is for flat spots but I thought about just taking the tires off..

Thanks!!!!!!

Bungo · 01-10-2011, 05:39 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tazdevil

Heres the bigger question, if cars are sittting in a dealership all winter with no battery tender on them, what do they not die?

Dealerships are required to do 30 (or 45) day inspections on all new cars on the lot. That means some poor brand new tech has to go outside with a pocket full of keys and start up each car and run it for an allotted time. Some manufacturers even require a road test to keep the tires from resting too long on one spot.

*KILLER74Z28* · 01-10-2011, 05:39 AM

On a newer vehicle it is not uncommon for the battery to drain if it is stored and not started for more thtn 30 days. The best way to resolve this issue is to buy a batter tender or make sure you start it at least once a month.

rtcat600man · 01-10-2011, 06:13 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by FirstCamaro23

I need some advice.

I live in Wisconsin, so at the beginning of Decemeber, I got my camaro ready for winter storage. I washed and waxed it, put stabil in the gas tank, put foam under the tires, and put my cover on it. My garage is attached to my house, insulated, but unheated.

Today i opened the door to get something out of it, and i noticed the dome lights did not go on. I put the key in the ignition and the battery was as dead as a door nail!!!!! I can't believe that after only 1 month of storage, the battery would drain completely. I verified i did not leave my dome light on in the cab also.

So, my question is Has anyone else run into this problem with their winter storage?

I tried to charge the battery though the positive terminal and grounding bar that is under the hood, and it kept tripping the charger. Do i need to charge the battery directly when this happens?

To prevent this happening, should i invest in a battery tender for the winter too?

I appreciate any comments on this issue

All great winter storage advice, and YES, you should get a battery tender.

Few other tips, tape off the exhaust tips on your mufflers, or you can place steel wool in the tips, just remember in the spring (before starting) that you did this to the tips. The reason is it will help prevent the critters (mice) from making a home out of your system. Trust me on this one, as a snowmobiler we have seen all too often that mice will make their way into your air box thru the exhaust and make a home out of it.

Quote:

Originally Posted by ToolFan66

Thanks for the thread, I will have to get a battery tender as well.

What is the foam under the tires?? and where do you get them?? I know this is for flat spots but I thought about just taking the tires off..

Thanks!!!!!!

Helps prevent flat spotting of the tires. Try Home Depot or Lowes. Do not take the wheels and tires off and hang the suspension. Bad for the springs to hang.

Russell James · 01-10-2011, 08:37 AM

It shouldn't be tripping the charger. I'd try charging it at the battery to see what happens. But most likely something will need to be fixed. Possibly the battery is internally shorted. I'd call the dealer and ask if you can just bring in the battery for them to check out.

01-08-2011, 05:49 PM	#1
FirstCamaro23 Drives: 2010 1977 1LT Camaro Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: Wisconsin Posts: 34	Need Help with my Battery! Please advise I need some advice. I live in Wisconsin, so at the beginning of Decemeber, I got my camaro ready for winter storage. I washed and waxed it, put stabil in the gas tank, put foam under the tires, and put my cover on it. My garage is attached to my house, insulated, but unheated. Today i opened the door to get something out of it, and i noticed the dome lights did not go on. I put the key in the ignition and the battery was as dead as a door nail!!!!! I can't believe that after only 1 month of storage, the battery would drain completely. I verified i did not leave my dome light on in the cab also. So, my question is Has anyone else run into this problem with their winter storage? I tried to charge the battery though the positive terminal and grounding bar that is under the hood, and it kept tripping the charger. Do i need to charge the battery directly when this happens? To prevent this happening, should i invest in a battery tender for the winter too? I appreciate any comments on this issue __________________ 2010 1LT Cyber Gray Metallic - Automatic, Convenience and Connectivity, Boston Acoustic Sound Order Placed - 2/27/10 1100 = Preliminary Order Accepted - 2/27/10 2000 = Accepted By GM - 5/5 FINALLY!!!! 2500 = Order Preferenced - 5/5 3300 = Order scheduled for production - 5/11 TPW = 5/17 3400 = Order Broadcast - 5/15 3800 = Order Produced - 5/21 4000 = Bayed for Shipment - 5/26 4200 = Shipped - 6/1 5000 = Delievered to Dealer 6/8 6000 = Picked Up by Customer 6/8 101 DAYS!!!

01-08-2011, 05:59 PM	#2
Camaro_Custom_Painted Choke on that causality! Drives: 2010 2SS/RS Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Minnesota Posts: 645	I can't speak to the amount of draw on the battery while not running, so I don't know how long it will last before going dead. But you most certainly should have a tender on it, for no other reason than a dead battery will freeze whereas a charged one will not. __________________ Edelbrock EForce - Stainless Works Headers - BMR Sways & Arms & Toe Links & Control Arm Bushings & End Links - Rotofab CAI - Assorted Interior, Exterior, Underhood Bling - Red Jewel Stripes & Full Body Clear - Lexani LX15 Wheels - JRE Fuel Rail Upgrade - Kenne Bell BAP - Heartthrob XPipe - Elite Catch Can - Pedders Cradle & Front Arm Bushings - Hotchkis Strut Brace - MSD Wires - Carbotech Brakes - DSS 1000HP Axles & Driveshaft - Mickey Thompson Tires - Halo Harness - AutoMeter A/F, Boost, Fuel Pressure Gauges - Whats Next?

01-08-2011, 09:13 PM	#4
Rogey89 ZL 1 3 7 Drives: '23 ZL1 Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: Niagara Region, Ontario Posts: 447	I did everything you've done, with the addition of the battery tender. I highly recommend it. __________________ '11 2SS / '23 ZL1 / '23 Silverado ZR2 Daily

01-08-2011, 09:32 PM	#5
heRS Raised by Wolves Drives: IBM 2010 2LT RS M6 Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: Spokane, WA Posts: 5,980 View My Garage	Yes. The battery tender is a must. __________________ Tori click the sig pic to view my build thread

01-09-2011, 07:23 PM	#6
FirstCamaro23 Drives: 2010 1977 1LT Camaro Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: Wisconsin Posts: 34	One clarification is that I only had the camaro stored for 3 weeks! I am a little worried if my battery is completely drained after only 3 weeks. Something else is going on here that is drawing a lot of amps from the battery. __________________ 2010 1LT Cyber Gray Metallic - Automatic, Convenience and Connectivity, Boston Acoustic Sound Order Placed - 2/27/10 1100 = Preliminary Order Accepted - 2/27/10 2000 = Accepted By GM - 5/5 FINALLY!!!! 2500 = Order Preferenced - 5/5 3300 = Order scheduled for production - 5/11 TPW = 5/17 3400 = Order Broadcast - 5/15 3800 = Order Produced - 5/21 4000 = Bayed for Shipment - 5/26 4200 = Shipped - 6/1 5000 = Delievered to Dealer 6/8 6000 = Picked Up by Customer 6/8 101 DAYS!!!

01-08-2011, 09:05 PM	#3
C586 Account Suspended Drives: 2011 Camaro LS Join Date: Dec 2010 Location: NY Posts: 1,117	Yes. Get a tender. Charging a battery and letting it die and repeating that cycle is about the worst thing you can do for a battery. If my car is going to sit any longer than a week my tender goes on. Get a deltran one and it installs and you just plug it in when needed.

01-10-2011, 02:25 AM	#7
bono83 Drives: 1969 Chevelle, 2010 1LT Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Chicago suburbs Posts: 378	Tender is a must for storage, but your battery should't be dead after only 3 weeks. __________________ Order: 5/23/09 - Deposit given with order at dealer. 1100: 6/26/09 - Order placed by dealer - no allocation 2000: 8/15/09 - Accepted by GM. 2500: 8/18/09 - Preferenced. 3000: 8/18/09 - Accepted by Production Control. 3100: 9/9/09 - Available to Sequence. 3300: 9/9/09 - Scheduled for Production. 3400: 9/19/09 - Broadcast. 3800: 9/29/09 - Produced. 4000: 9/29/09 - Available to Ship. 4150: 9/29/09 - Original Invoice. 4200: 10/6/09 - Shipped. 5000: 10/13/09 - Delivered to Dealer. 6000: 10/13/09 - Delivered to Customer.

01-10-2011, 05:23 AM	#9
Tazdevil Drives: 2010 Camaro 2SS Join Date: Sep 2010 Location: Peterborough Posts: 13	Heres the bigger question, if cars are sittting in a dealership all winter with no battery tender on them, what do they not die? Mine has been closed up in the garage for well over 2 months now, went out and started it no issues. Purrred like a pusssy cat, another 3 months to wait before all the salt sand and slushy snow is gone....... sheesh.

01-10-2011, 05:23 AM	#10
ToolFan66 Drives: 2011 2SS 6.2L W/RS package Join Date: Jan 2011 Location: Colorado Posts: 3,008	Thanks for the thread, I will have to get a battery tender as well. What is the foam under the tires?? and where do you get them?? I know this is for flat spots but I thought about just taking the tires off.. Thanks!!!!!!

01-10-2011, 05:39 AM	#12
KILLER74Z28 MOD SQUAD Drives: 2G1FT1EW9A9100666 Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: West Michigan Posts: 5,782 View My Garage	On a newer vehicle it is not uncommon for the battery to drain if it is stored and not started for more thtn 30 days. The best way to resolve this issue is to buy a batter tender or make sure you start it at least once a month. __________________ Who cares about the Blue Oval crowd and their little Ponys? We're getting our Camaro back-and it'll be Supercharged!-MDAII Team LS3

01-10-2011, 08:37 AM	#14
Russell James Drives: '15 SS 1LE, '69 Z28 drag car Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: Mich Posts: 4,482	It shouldn't be tripping the charger. I'd try charging it at the battery to see what happens. But most likely something will need to be fixed. Possibly the battery is internally shorted. I'd call the dealer and ask if you can just bring in the battery for them to check out.

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