1992 Battery Drain

[jjones]

Seems like about this time every year I get the revolting breakdowns. Perhaps you can spare a little advice before my mechanic hits me up big time.

This is a new one for me though - replaced a presumably dead battery. New battery has drained itself completely on two occasions. Charged overnight and driveable however I noticed incomplete messages for the fuel and engine gages. "SYS" did show up on the board. I'm sure this is not a friendly hello from the Corvette demons. Or does it mean Save Yourself and Sell?

Of course there's more - the Servise ASR light comes on intermittently, the a/c doesn't ALWAYS work (blows hot air), got some white exhaust smoke on start up, and have the dreaded antenna at half mast syndrome. Please don't beseige me with Viagra jokes <smile>

After letting it sit for a month, the gears were extremely hard to shift through. Is that normal? They did loosen up after about a mile but it was worrisome.

Well glad to see you are all still hear and hopefully can give me some ideas. Thanks! jj

[Tuna]

The "SYS" message means that there is a voltage problem with the system - low/dead battery, not charging properly, etc. Sounds like you need a check up at the local dealer of mechanic. This low voltage problem may be causing some of your other problems.

What kind of lube is in the trans? How long has it been there? Drain it and replace it with Red Line MTL or one of the other recommended flavors you'll find here in the CAC.

If you decide to sell, I'll start the auction by offering you $1000.00 for it.

[RedRagTop]

Bad alternator leading to battery discharge and your subsequent symptoms?
$2000US

[jjones]

$1,000 was closer to the bill! Leaking slave cylinder was the clutch problem causing the sticky gears. The SYS light was intermittent and the code thrown was "41". My very honest mechanic believes the SYS is tied to the ASR problem and may be indicative of the need for a new EMC. Which means I could CRY. But until it comes on and stays on, he cannot draw any positive conclusions. And I didn't feel like fishing. So I will wait. The AC just needed normal maintenance, the taillight was replaced gratis and the badly pitted antenna was also replaced.

The drain on the battery was most likely the radio off switch going bad (in the door). Evidently this is common on the 90's C-4s. Too expensive to fix and they have to remove the door panel. Nothing ever looks the same after that so I will learn to turn the juke box off or open and close the passenger door. That switch lasts 3 times longer probably because you are 3 times less likely to let anyone ride in your Vette.

You guys were way too generous with your offers for purchase. I'll give it some thought. That does include your Vette as part of the deal - right?