2005 Chevrolet Corvette: battery drain or dead battery

Filed Jan 3, 2023 · Steering · CA

2005 Corvette coupe, manual trans, Z51. Intermittent problem: Electronic steering column will not unlock when attempting to start or will not lock on shutdown. Vehicle inoperable, sometimes in potentially hazardous situations e.g., late night in parking lot, and compromised anti-theft feature. Possibly relevant: When parked but steering failed to lock, continuous battery draw is 4 amps, which might contribute to the "dead battery syndrome" that 2005 M6 Corvettes are known for. Hard to separate the two issues since either way the starter will not engage. Problem has existed since new (2005) but has gotten progressively worse. GM nonresponsive to multiple owner complaints. Aftermarket "Column Lock Bypass" work-arounds have been sold for this problem, but they are potentially dangerous since they simply spoof the BCM into thinking that the lock is fully released when it is simply unpowered and can easily move into a partially locked position with vibration and time. This is what I recently observed that motivated this safety complaint. GM finally issued a recall in 2018 (13 years after MY) for this problem, but for some reason did not include manual transmission cars in the recall, possible because production was small compared with automatics. But from internet forums, it is clear that this problem affects all 2005 M6 Corvettes.

Filed Sep 27, 2022 · Body · CT

Vehicle has open recall 09v491 for roof panel separation. The roof on the vehicle has separated and come apart in pieces leaving the front seal exposed. Gengras Chevrolet in Ct has ordered and received the replacement panel which has now been sitting at their dealership for approximately 2.5 weeks because they refuse to send it to paint until they rectify the outdated paint supply reimbursement cost with GM. In the meantime I have not had a spot for the vehicle inside and if I dont know its going to rain or dont get the car inside somewhere in time the water leaks down the windshield post and into the body control module. Currently the car drains the battery, gauges intermittently do not work as well as the power windows, starter button etc. from a recent pop up storm. Ive been back and forth with the dealer and spoke to a GM rep, niehter of which have proven useful in the situation. I just keep getting pushed off and told that I have to wait for them to figure it out with GM, even though it could potentially take 2 or more weeks to paint the top once the body shop actually gets it. This whole process has started approximately August 1st.

Filed Mar 26, 2021 · Electrical · 36,000 miles · WV

When taking the car out of park, the shifter is stuck, you have to turn the car back off and then on to get it to release sometime it take 2-3 times repeating for it to disengage. Also, the battery drains if it started every week. This car only has 36,000 miles is not drive but on nice days.

Filed Jun 7, 2016 · Electrical · 14,000 miles · NJ

Tl* the contact owns a 2005 chevrolet corvette the contact stated that the vehicle experienced excessive battery drain. The failure occurred without warning. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed that the lo jack system had caused the battery to drain and it needed to be disconnected. The vehicle was repaired, but the failure recurred. The contact stated that the battery had been replaced numerous occasions. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 14,000. Updated 02/03/17

Filed May 16, 2016 · Electrical · MD

It has been reported numerous times of the excessive battery drainage of these vehicles. Gm decided that the car would need to be placed in reverse with the parking brake engaged for the car to be totally turned off. This causes the battery to drain excessively, I have replaced 4 batteries in a year. You will be stranded wherever you're at. Gm has not tried to resolve this matter. What they did was in 2006 took the function off the car, so they wouldn't have to deal with it. This needs to be resolved by gm, or does it take a dead battery, a jump ,and a half charged car to shut down in the middle of the road causing an accident.

Filed Dec 26, 2015 · Electrical · 39,000 miles · AR

There is a battery draining issue which the dealership and thousands of c-6 corvette owners are experiencing, particularly the 2005 year. I have owned this car for one month and have had to have it jumped numerous times.. Carfax has documentation on file.

Filed Dec 26, 2015 · Electrical · 39,000 miles · AR

This car will drain the battery after three days of sitting and sometimes after one day of sitting. This a a manual shift car and thousand of fellow c-6 corvette owners are experiencing this problem and the dealer does not know how to solve the issue. Every thing has been check in my car and is listed as working correctly from the dealership. My car only has 39,000 mile and is factory original. Carfax has documentation of all repairs and issues. As stated this is a 6 speed manual shift car. The automatic cars are not experiencing this problem. I had to have this car jump started 6 times within 30 days. Help please!!!!

Filed Nov 27, 2015 · Electrical · 85,000 miles · NJ

My problem is very similar to below. My 2005 chevy corvette will run fine for a while. Then for no particular reason, the dic will flash - check traction control, check ABS, etc. If I shut off the car, then restart, this message will stop, but the security lamp will stay on. The time between instances will decrease until the car will not start periodically. I have had the bcm and ECM changed. This fixes the problem for a while, but the problem comes back. I have also seen the error "no fob" even when a new battery has been put in the fob and it worked just fine an hour ago. This is getting expensive. I have put new batteries in, nothing seems to prevent this from eventually happening. The corvette forum has many posts on this issue. From another post: I have had several incidents of dead battery syndrome (dbs) since I bought my 2005 corvette in october 2008. The battery has been replaced at least 4 times. I have bought this to the dealers and gm's attention and they say that there is nothing wrong with the car. They refuse to acknowledge that this condition affects very many 2005 manual transmission cars with much data on the internet on forums and blogs. Many of us have found alternative methods to keep the car operable. Gm needs to finally acknowledge this condition and issue a fix.

Filed May 10, 2012 · Electrical · 10,376 miles · SC

I have had several incidents of dead battery syndrome (dbs) since I bought my 2005 corvette in october 2008. The battery has been replaced at least 4 times. I have bought this to the dealers and gm's attention and they say that there is nothing wrong with the car. They refuse to acknowledge that this condition affects very many 2005 manual transmission cars with much data on the internet on forums and blogs. Many of us have found alternative methods to keep the car operable. Gm needs to finally acknowledge this condition and issue a fix.

Filed Aug 7, 2007 · Electrical · 12,500 miles · MD

Dead battery syndrome; 2005 corvette with intermittent dead battery.

Filed Oct 31, 2005 · Electrical · 2,100 miles · CA

Vehicle battery dead within 4 days of being parked in garage. Official chevrolet "shut-down" procedure was followed.

Filed Oct 29, 2005 · Electrical · 4,000 miles · GA

Dead battery syndrome. After setting for a few days the battery on this car drains to a point of not being able to start the car. There is a very detailed shut down sequence for this 6 speed manual transmission car that seems to be the culprit. However, I have had the car to the local dealership 3 times and they have yet to be able to find the problem. I have been stranded 5 times in 10 months because of this problem.