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Topic: C4 hibernation??

in Forum: C4 General Discussion


C4 hibernation??

Posted: 1/12/16 5:18pm Message 1 of 6
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Joined: 7/26/2015
Posts: 34
Vette(s): 1993 coupe 100% original polo green
Hi all C4ers new battery in mine. after sitting covered ( baby blankets) for a week or 10. Days it goes into hibernation , by that I mean with key in ignition , no lights , no horn , no dash lights. And won't start. BUT as soon as I put battery charger on trickle The car comes back to life?????? As if I just drove it yesterday it's kept in a unheated single car garage. I keep my keys with FOBS IN HOUSE out of range from alarm system didn't do any of this in warm weather when I drove it often What gives would appreciate any and all suggestions please don't suggest I take it for a ride, live in Ohio and wouldn't dare take my baby out on salt and cinder covered roads thanks guys


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Re: C4 hibernation??

Posted: 1/12/16 6:19pm Message 2 of 6
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Canada
Joined: 11/3/2011
Posts: 150
Vette(s): 1988 Convertable
Certainly sounds like your battery is no good. I know you said it was new.
You should get it load checked....... either battery is no good, or you have a parasitic drain. Make sure there is nothing getting left on. Common places to look, light in vanity mirror back of sun visor. Lights under hood. Power seats sometimes will cause the drain.
First you need to figure out what circuit the drain is on. You will need a multi meter.
Google parasitic drain for some how to videos.  



Re: C4 hibernation??

Posted: 1/13/16 6:54pm Message 3 of 6
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Hebron, CT - USA
Joined: 1/3/2016
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Vette(s): 1962 Fawn Beige (sold) 1985 Bright Red Interior Grey, 4/3 manual 61000 mi
I have had a brand new battery that was undercharged and needed a jump to help it start the car.
Unless you drive it for a while, or leave it on charger until fully charged, it might continue to do the same thing.
 
Get it checked out while you still have some kind of warranty in place. At least then, you will know if it is the battery. There is always a chance there is parasitic drain on the battery, but I would start with the battery.
 
 



Re: C4 hibernation??

Posted: 1/14/16 2:29pm Message 4 of 6
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Vette(s): Black 1979 L-82 Black 1996 LT1 Black 1999 Coupe
Bad connections on the starting and charging systems will also cause the same problems as a weak battery.


Re: C4 hibernation??

Posted: 1/15/16 10:22am Message 5 of 6
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Joined: 11/15/2012
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Vette(s): 1987 C4 convertible 350ci auto white / red / white top appx 18k mls
Hi,

firstly I dont think leaving the key in the ignition is a good idea anyway with modern cars, you never know if they go properly "to sleep" of if somethings stay active. 

anyway, I´ve found that hooking the C4 up to a "smart" charger, eg CTEK, prevents any nasty surprises with cars which aint driven very often. my convertible often sits for some weeks till I ve got time AND the weather is fine... the battery is kind of small for such a big engine anyway, my 3ltr Merc Coupe got a similar size. then, modern cars (by which I mean cars that simply go "off" when turning the key) do have sufficient residual power requirements so that the battery is unlikely to be weak after 3-4 weeks. In the C4, the engine ECU will remain on (but asleep, hopefully) as the ECU memory needs to be powered, the VATS anti theft system needs to monitor if the doors are opened without the key (I did once....and the car panicked as required and I had to rush indoors to get the key...)
battery in my 1992 Merc is weak after 4 weeks, in my (modern) Harley after 3 weeks. so... get a charger.

cheers
Wolfram



Re: C4 hibernation??

Posted: 1/17/16 3:57pm Message 6 of 6
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Joined: 7/26/2015
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Vette(s): 1993 coupe 100% original polo green
Hey guys Thanks for all replies First off never assume anything took a cold reading on battery with Olms meter AND GUESS WHAT Got only a 12.21 volt reading charged it for 3 hrs and all was good. Checked every fuse in box and no parisecic drains thanks again guys


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