05-24-2017, 05:35 PM | #1 |
Drives: '02 Trailblazer, '12 Camaro 2SS/RS Join Date: Jun 2012
Location: AK
Posts: 819
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Storage woes, lost tach and stability trac lights on
I live in AK so store the car for the winter. Been busy and despite an early breakup here I just pulled my car out today. it's a 2012 SS/RS. battery struggled a bit to get her started (stored 6 1/2 months) but it did.
I noticed right away the stability trac light was on. Also the traction control doesn't work. I'm not too concerned about that, but at only 5400 miles this shouldn't be happening. What's more concerning is the Tach reads zero and a few times the car "stumbled". I am guessing I need to bring it in, but figured I'd post here and see if anyone had similar issues or if there was something simple for me to do or look at.
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05-24-2017, 05:51 PM | #2 |
Drives: 2011 ss Join Date: Sep 2015
Location: E-TX
Posts: 764
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Not sure if this has anything helpful for you, but seemed similar. I'd charge it up and check the connectors first and validate the battery first.
http://www.camaro5.com/forums/showthread.php?t=397090 http://www.camaro5.com/forums/showthread.php?t=437588 |
05-24-2017, 06:01 PM | #3 |
Drives: '02 Trailblazer, '12 Camaro 2SS/RS Join Date: Jun 2012
Location: AK
Posts: 819
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Thanks for the links.
Looks like the first place to start is the battery. It was tired for sure. I'll also check the plug wires as I have read that can be an issue too. What a pain. Was looking forward to getting it out and driving it, not trouble shooting it :(.
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05-24-2017, 06:05 PM | #4 |
Drives: 2011 ss Join Date: Sep 2015
Location: E-TX
Posts: 764
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I feel your pain. Just helped a friend sell his c5. He put 2k miles since 2008 and has been chasing gremlins since last inspection when he started driving it. Sitting seems to cause as many or more problems than driving them unfortunately.
Beautiful car btw. Edit. Strange timing... http://www.camaro5.com/forums/showthread.php?t=496061 |
05-24-2017, 07:22 PM | #5 |
Drives: 2011 2SS/RS M6 Join Date: Oct 2015
Location: Utah
Posts: 1,940
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How long was it in storage?
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05-25-2017, 01:04 AM | #6 | |
Drives: '02 Trailblazer, '12 Camaro 2SS/RS Join Date: Jun 2012
Location: AK
Posts: 819
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Quote:
About 6 1/2 months. I think it was the battery somehow. I drove it for a while because I wanted to charge the battery up knowing it was probably somewhat drained from sitting. It was parked while I was back at work and started this thread. Had no idea what to expect when I went back out to start it. To my surprise and delight the tach jumped up and the Stabli trac lights were off and I could use traction on or off. My only guess is the battery charged up while driving and solved the issue. Guess I will see if it has really resolved or not over the next few days! Thanks for the input. You all and this forum rock!
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05-25-2017, 06:08 AM | #7 |
Drives: 2018 GT350 Join Date: Nov 2011
Location: PA
Posts: 2,718
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Invest in a battery tender
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05-25-2017, 08:40 AM | #8 |
Drives: 2004 GTO & 2005 GTO Join Date: Mar 2014
Location: Lancaster, PA
Posts: 303
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Low battery voltage will cause all sorts of electrical issues on modern cars, so yes, that was probably your issue.
6.5 months in storage and no battery tender? Keep an eye on the battery. They do NOT like to be drained and you may be looking at a new one soon. |
05-25-2017, 12:38 PM | #9 |
Drives: '02 Trailblazer, '12 Camaro 2SS/RS Join Date: Jun 2012
Location: AK
Posts: 819
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Thanks guys, yeah I figure I probably didn't do the battery any favors.
I did look at a tender then flaked out. This car is stored off site with other residences over it. I got nervous about leaving a tender like the tender Jr on it without me being able to monitor it in any way. I think i read one post and it made me nervous. May be unrealistic though because apparently thousands of others do it without issue. Any thoughts on that? I also read one post where someone disconnected the Neg terminal just to keep it offline from the cars system, but that seems to defeat the purpose of having the computer maintain power while stored. Or is it really just about having a strong battery once it's hooked up after being stored irregardless of duration?
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05-25-2017, 01:16 PM | #10 | |
Drives: 2018 GT350 Join Date: Nov 2011
Location: PA
Posts: 2,718
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Quote:
One time I did store it and would give it a full charge every 2 weeks. Plug in, charged for a day to full, disconnected, repeat 2 weeks later.
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05-25-2017, 01:51 PM | #11 |
Drives: 2013 Camaro 2SS RDP Tuned L99 Join Date: Apr 2013
Location: Ottawa, Canada eh?
Posts: 1,889
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I use a Battery Tender Jr and it works great! I do the same plug it in my car and remove it when she comes out. Battery is perfect at the first crank.
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05-26-2017, 09:05 AM | #12 |
Drives: IOM 2013 2SS/RS, Greenie, 06 FXSTBi Join Date: Apr 2009
Location: Turd Town, WI
Posts: 1,588
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The problems stem from how low the voltage drops while cranking when you let the battery drain that far. The car is trying to check a whole bunch of parameters while you are starting it. It should straighten out, but you learned to run a tender, I'm sure. No biggie.
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05-26-2017, 05:15 PM | #13 |
Drives: 2010 Camaro Join Date: Mar 2010
Location: Northern Ontario
Posts: 1,181
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I store mine away from home as well. I take the battery out and bring it home to hook the tender up. Remember not to close your trunk unless you want to climb through the backseat.
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It's a high school prom, it's a Springsteen song, it's a ride in a Chevrolet... |
05-30-2017, 10:27 AM | #14 |
Drives: 2004 GTO & 2005 GTO Join Date: Mar 2014
Location: Lancaster, PA
Posts: 303
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My Camaro and GTO sit in my garage with a Battery Tender Plus hooked up to them 24/7/365. I don't drive them that much, so keep them tendered while not being driven so the batteries are always maintained.
I can go weeks at a time without going into the garage and never worry about them at all. |
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