Fixing Battery Problems on Your 2020 Corvette

How to Fix Battery Issues

This guide addresses battery problems experienced by 2020 Chevrolet Corvette owners. We'll cover the most likely causes, diagnosis, and repair steps based on owner reports and common solutions.

Symptoms

Owners have reported a range of issues that point to potential battery problems. These include weird symptoms that are hard to pin down, lights flickering unexpectedly, sudden stalling of the engine, and even more serious issues like electrical fires.

Most Likely Cause

Based on owner discussions, the most likely culprit for these battery problems is the positive battery cable. A faulty or loose connection can lead to a variety of electrical problems within the vehicle.

How to Diagnose

Start by visually inspecting the positive battery cable and its connection points. Look for signs of corrosion, damage, or looseness. Ensure the cable is securely fastened to both the battery terminal and the starter. Use a voltmeter to check the battery voltage with the engine off and again while starting the engine. A significant voltage drop during starting can indicate a problem with the battery cable or the battery itself.

Step-by-Step Fix

1. Gather your tools: You'll need a wrench set, socket set, battery terminal cleaner, and potentially replacement jacks and potentially crossover.
2. Disconnect the battery: Always disconnect the negative terminal first, followed by the positive.
3. Inspect the cable: Carefully examine the positive battery cable for any signs of damage, corrosion, or fraying.
4. Clean the terminals: Use a battery terminal cleaner to remove any corrosion from the battery terminals and the cable connectors.
5. Tighten the connections: Ensure all connections are tight and secure. If the cable is damaged, replace it with a new one.
6. Check exhaust: Due to the location of the battery, inspect the exhaust for any signs of melted cable components.
7. Reconnect the battery: Reconnect the positive terminal first, followed by the negative.
8. Test the vehicle: Start the engine and monitor for any recurrence of the symptoms.

Real Owner Costs

While the costs can vary, expect to pay between $20 and $100 for a replacement positive battery cable. The jacks, crossover, and exhaust work will vary. Cleaning the terminals yourself is a low-cost solution, but professional diagnosis and repair can add labor costs.

What Owners Say

Real experiences from CHEVROLET owners:

Success Stories

"Quote: Originally Posted by vette4fl Flaming River. They do make a mounting bracket for this. a friend had one of those on his track car, and it worked well mounted on the dash. i've also seen push/pull ***** that do the same & are typically mounted on the bumper." — _zebra (source)

"I finally fixed the battery-acid-induced vacuum leak!!! I bought my '03 about a year ago, and even though it only had 23k on the odometer the HVAC controls didn't work and it would occasionally throw a P0410 code." — Varilux (source)

"They do make a mounting bracket for this. a friend had one of those on his track car, and it worked well mounted on the dash. i've also seen push/pull ***** that do the same & are typically mounted on the bumper." — _zebra (source)

Owner Experiences

"I forgot I had a small 12V trailer battery I could use for testing. Next step is to look at the physical pin connections inside the plugs make sure they are not bent or the female side hasn't opened up loosing connection." — smitty2919 (source)

"I hear you on trust issues. This happened at least 15 years ago, but after my almost new battery went totally dead overnight, I carried an emergency battery jumper box in the trunk for many years......." — grinder11 (source)

"I appreciate your idea and I had considered the same. Thinking it through though I concluded that the battery couldn't be dead if the negative terminal was disconnected." — Bobbo76 (source)

Lessons Learned

⚠️ "Granted, most of my tools are now battery operated and that's great. But I still have an air hammer and an air cut off tool plus I use an air blower to blow out the debris that collects on the floor." — carl418 (source)

⚠️ "Downside is I STILL have P0342 code immediately after a second start. I then proceeded to remove the intake AGAIN so I could access the plug and test it for continuity/voltage etc." — smitty2919 (source)

⚠️ "But I still have an air hammer and an air cut off tool plus I use an air blower to blow out the debris that collects on the floor. This compressor is mounted in a shed that's attached to my garage and is piped into the garage proper." — carl418 (source)

Prevention

Regularly inspect your battery and cable connections for corrosion or damage. Clean the terminals as needed. Ensure the cables are securely fastened. Have your battery tested periodically to assess its health.