[Stingray Steve]

I just purchased a 2014 Corvette Stingray Z51 3LT convertible. I have a few strange problems. The LCD in the instrument cluster works sometimes, other times its completely blank. When it's not operational sometimes I see the dash lights come on and off and the car chimes. This happens while I'm usually stopped at a light. No rhyme or reason. When I bought the car the battery was completely drained. When I arrived to pickup the car it was in the service department being "reset". Today I looked at the battery and saw a single wire with sheathing and a crimp on connector to the negative side. Didn't look factory to me. What do you think? Does your car have this crimp connector? Can someone post a pic of your battery so I can compare mine to yours?

Thanks in advance,
Steve

 

[Norm]

Take it right back to the dealer, don't even mess with it, you paid too darn much money to have to worry about you messing with that stuff. Let them worry about it.

 

[Petercwelch]

Right to dealer. It is their problem, not yours.

 

[glen e]

I agree and realize that a flattened battery can be bad and need replacing. When current is not continuous and above about 12.2, computers/displays don't like it. Have them LOAD TEST the batt, this is more than a voltage check....

The crimp.wire is stock and should be there. Depending on how long the battery sat completely drained it could be bad right now , I would demand an absolute new battery no questions asked. And it also can be in all the batt connectors too.

 

[Stingray Steve]

Awesome, thanks for the info.. That crimp kind of worried me as well. I made an appointment to see the dealer next Monday. I hope to have it resolved quickly.

Steve

 

[glen e]

Remind them you have surveys to complete from GM on the delivery and this problem......

 

[Mobius]

Well, that really sucks.

How long have you had the car?

Electrical problems can be real "head scratchers", but often they can also be fixed easily.

I'm hoping that you'll encounter the latter situation.

As Glen said, it could simply be the battery or connections, and low voltage can cause interesting problems.

Case in point - I once had an alternator fail in my C4 about 5 miles from my house. I shut down all accessories (radio, heater, etc.) and headed home (since an alternator replacement is a relatively simple repair).

As I was driving, and battery voltage was continuously dropping (due to no alternator output), various systems began failing. Antilock, airbags and various other system lights popped-on in sequence. By the time I pulled into the driveway the engine was running rough, and it was clear that the fuel injection system was struggling with low voltage, but I did make it into the garage and replaced the alternator that night.

 

[BLURAY_Z51]

I agree with everyone about having the dealer replace the battery. If they don't, you have the power of the GM satisfaction survey.

 

[Georgio51]

I just purchased a 2014 Corvette Stingray Z51 3LT convertible. I have a few strange problems. The LCD in the instrument cluster works sometimes, other times its completely blank. When it's not operational sometimes I see the dash lights come on and off and the car chimes. This happens while I'm usually stopped at a light. No rhyme or reason. When I bought the car the battery was completely drained. When I arrived to pickup the car it was in the service department being "reset". Today I looked at the battery and saw a single wire with sheathing and a crimp on connector to the negative side. Didn't look factory to me. What do you think? Does your car have this crimp connector? Can someone post a pic of your battery so I can compare mine to yours?

Thanks in advance,
Steve

Sounds like the car was in stock at the dealership. True? I wonder how long. VIN #?

 

[Stingray Steve]

Well, that really sucks.

How long have you had the car?

Electrical problems can be real "head scratchers", but often they can also be fixed easily.

I'm hoping that you'll encounter the latter situation.

As Glen said, it could simply be the battery or connections, and low voltage can cause interesting problems.

Case in point - I once had an alternator fail in my C4 about 5 miles from my house. I shut down all accessories (radio, heater, etc.) and headed home (since an alternator replacement is a relatively simple repair).

As I was driving, and battery voltage was continuously dropping (due to no alternator output), various systems began failing. Antilock, airbags and various other system lights popped-on in sequence. By the time I pulled into the driveway the engine was running rough, and it was clear that the fuel injection system was struggling with low voltage, but I did make it into the garage and replaced the alternator that night.

I've owned her for a week now. It has a March 2014 build date. Per the dealer it was on their showroom floor for about 2 months. I put a trickle charge on the battery. Less than an hour later the light on the charger was a solid green. It seems to have solved the problem. I'm still going to have the service department check her out. I'll mention to them that the battery was dead for awhile before I purchased her. I'll keep you posted once I get an answer.

 

[glen e]

I've owned her for a week now. It has a March 2014 build date. Per the dealer it was on their showroom floor for about 2 months. I put a trickle charge on the battery. Less than an hour later the light on the charger was a solid green. It seems to have solved the problem. I'm still going to have the service department check her out. I'll mention to them that the battery was dead for awhile before I purchased her. I'll keep you posted once I get an answer.

Google "battery sulfation" and then you'll know why a new batt is in order - you may have charged it, but the life of the batt has decreased dramatically when left dead for a while....it will leave you dead in the water sometime in the future...guaranteed....

 

[TexasFFchick]

Dealer...see also if there is a software update for your display..might be a combination of things...

 

[Stingray Steve]

UPDATE

I put the car on a trickle charger. Took about an hour before the battery was fully charged. No more screen issues. I'm still going to ask for a new battery. Thanks for all your help.

 

[Mobius]

I encountered my first problem today, most certainly a dying battery.

I returned from a business trip yesterday, and decided to take the Vette for an evening ride last night. The car had been sitting for a week in the garage, with the battery protector plugged in. The charger indicated that the battery was fully charged.

There was some hesitation on starting - the classic weak battery response during starting. Still, I decided it would be good to give her some exercise, and I had a nice 1.5 hour drive. One of my display settings was altered, likely due to low voltage during starting, and I changed back the setting with no issue.

The car started this morning, again sluggish, but all settings were retained, and I let it run until the battery voltage dropped from 14.9 V (charging) to 12.9 V.

I then shut off the car, tried a restart, and the battery doesn't have enough power to start the engine. Voltage on the battery has dropped to 10.5V, so I've put it back on the charger.

Normally in this situation, I'd drive over to AutoZone, pick up a new battery, and be good for another 5 years. Unfortunately, I really should have this repaired under warranty.

Given that this is a 15 minute job, I was hoping to get it done today at a dealership, but the two local service departments I contacted are not answering their phones.

Once I get the car started, I'll drive to the closest one and see if I can convince them to take a quick look.

 

[rdslon01]

Did you buy the battery charger with your car, or get it aftermarket?

I agree that you should tell the dealership to warranty claim the new battery; I am just wondering if they will give any hesitancy if you bought the battery charger aftermarket.

Let us know how it goes. Best wishes.

 

[Mobius]

Did you buy the battery charger with your car, or get it aftermarket.

It is the Chevy "battery protection package", ordered with the C7.

I'm at the dealer now, and their ETA on the replacement is one hour, if they have the battery in stock.

 

[Mobius]

The service manager just confirmed it was the battery, they have one in stock, and I should be back on the road in 15 minutes.

It all went smoothly (nore smoothly than I had expected!)

 

[glen e]

I often say that many problems are not real problems because all you see is "one off" posts and not a trend. But this seems to be diff. I read about a lot about cars diagnosed with bad batts recently on brand new C7's - WTF? The battery seems to be the right size, with plenty of reserve....I'm all about having good equipment. It might be time to put in an PC1500 Odyssey and relegate the Vette battery to my workbench for a 12V power source....Hmmmm

thanks Mob....

 

[rdslon01]

It is the Chevy "battery protection package", ordered with the C7.

I'm at the dealer now, and their ETA on the replacement is one hour, if they have the battery in stock.

Mobius, I suppose that was a slam dunk warranty replacement, correct?

 

[Mobius]

Mobius, I suppose that was a slam dunk warranty replacement, correct?

Yes, it was a warranty replacement.