Weak Battery (low voltage)

dunerider · #1 (**permalink**) 03-27-06, 11:07 AM

2005 xlr has 1200 miles on it, doesnt get driven very much. The battery has died 2x for no reason than maybe not driving it for 3 weeks this last time. The lights will come on bright and everything inside works, but it only clicks when you go to start it. the computer says "low voltage". The town n country van outside started while sitting for 6 weeks with no problem. Any ideas what is draining the battery enough to where it wont start? Any body else having this problem? Is it just a cheap battery in an expensive car?

SoCadillac · #2 (**permalink**) 03-27-06, 12:01 PM

If you are not going to drive it for long periods of time may I suggest that you purchase a Battery Tender:

http://batterytender.com/default.php?cPath=11_2

This will keep you battery like new. I have one vehicle going a seven-year old battery because I use a Battery Tender on it. Most collectors use these as do enthusiasts with an affinity for more vehicles than can drive daily.

Too further answer your question about GM's batteries, please read this thread:

http://www.cadillacforums.com/forums...hlight=battery

Yes, there have been issues with the longevity of the battery on both the CTS and CTS-V, I do not know about the XLR, but GM should still take car of yours, if it is faulty. However, if you are going to let it sit for extended periods I still recommend the Battery Tender. There are clever ways to install a permanent waterproof connector is you want your XLR to be plugged-in into a Battery Tender without having to lift the hood.

dunerider · #3 (**permalink**) 03-28-06, 12:18 AM

that is a great idea, duh, why didnt i think of that, the battery tender is a great idea. its just that here on the ocean in nw oregon it rains alot in winter/spring soooooo we drive the xlr on nice days only. sometimes it might sit for a week or two till we get some sunshine here.......oh well.

took it by the cadillac dealer today and told them of the dilema, Service mngr said sounds like a bad battery, the salesman was also there with me and when we purchased the xlr it was on the showroom with a dead battery(should have known then), they said because everyone had to see the top go up and down lol, anyway i agreed and we went and checked the battery, the battery says it should have 590 cca (cold cranking amps) but the tester showed 543 any way thats all they could do for today, i have to take it back in on thursday when the certified xlr guy can hook it up and see if there is something else going on. thats the story so far.

**Jesda** · #4 (**permalink**) 03-28-06, 07:05 PM

I've read some stories about Delco/OEM batteries on Sevilles being faulty. Not sure if that applies to the XLR. Please keep us posted!

dunerider · #5 (**permalink**) 03-30-06, 10:19 PM

ok, took xlr in for apt with xlr tech at the cadillac dlr. tech had it about 2 hrs, came back with battery is within limits just needs to be driven to keep a charge. also that there was a recall on some reprogramming of some ecm module they did. then handed me a notice to dealers on the xlr if it sits for a period of 20 days or more the battery could die, something about it has a parasitic discharge (that doesnt sound good), therefore to remove the negative cable off the battery when not in use for lengthy period of times. not the answer i wanted but the answer i expected. soooooooooo basically either drive it to keep it charged or use a battery tender like so cadillac suggested.

**Jesda** · #6 (**permalink**) 04-03-06, 08:32 AM

Sheesh, that doesnt sound like a solution. I wonder if a better battery would help?

dunerider · #7 (**permalink**) 04-04-06, 11:07 AM

yeah i know, but i expected something like that. ill keep my eye on it and if i still have problems i will demand a new battery. i have a 71 rs camaro that has an optima battery in it and it seems to hold a charge just fine for months. now it doesn have any electronics like the xlr does so thats why, but if there is a parasitic discharge in the xlr's dont you think they would like to find it and cure the problem?

SoCadillac · #8 (**permalink**) 04-04-06, 07:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dunerider

yeah i know, but i expected something like that. ill keep my eye on it and if i still have problems i will demand a new battery. i have a 71 rs camaro that has an optima battery in it and it seems to hold a charge just fine for months. now it doesn have any electronics like the xlr does so thats why, but if there is a parasitic discharge in the xlr's dont you think they would like to find it and cure the problem?

I think what GM refers to as "parasitic" is a matter of routinely performed system diagnostics and self-checks. GM electronics are actually very good and way above average. The XLR is a highly sophisticated automobile with a plethora of bells and whistles. What GM probably didn't anticipate and make provisions for is how low mileage the owners are putting on them; most seem not to be daily drivers.

SoCadillac · #9 (**permalink**) 04-04-06, 11:07 PM

Dunerider,

If you wish to do a custom installation of your Battery Tender or a similar product check these products out:

http://www.powerletproducts.com/products.php?mid=1

I am not affiliated with them in any way. I have used their products on my motorcycles and the quality is very high.

Jetboyphx · #10 (**permalink**) 04-04-06, 11:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SoCadillac

Dunerider,

If you wish to do a custom installation of your Battery Tender or a similar product check these products out:

http://www.powerletproducts.com/products.php?mid=1

I am not affiliated with them in any way. I have used their products on my motorcycles and the quality is very high.

I use the cigar/SAE adapter at the bottom of this page for my Triumph Tiger and the XLR. http://www.powerletproducts.com/products/cables.php

SoCadillac · #11 (**permalink**) 04-05-06, 12:20 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jetboyphx

I use the cigar/SAE adapter at the bottom of this page for my Triumph Tiger and the XLR. http://www.powerletproducts.com/products/cables.php

Well, that's about the most straightforward and easiest means to get a Battery Tender onto the XLR! How well does it work on your XLR through the cigarette lighter socket?

Jetboyphx · #12 (**permalink**) 04-06-06, 12:53 AM

It seems to work fine. I use the lighter socket on the XLR and the Triumph and the direct battery connection on the R-1, 954RR and Yamaha generator. For the XLR or any automobile I suggest you get the 40" SAE/SAE extension as well. I use a Yuasa charger as they used to be better at detecting and charging according to battery condition, Battery Tender may have caught up in recent years though. I just have one charger and rotate it between vehicles. The 954RR battery is going on 5 years and still starts like new. Pretty good for the desert heat. I used to go through batteries every 2-3 years.

SoCadillac · #13 (**permalink**) 04-06-06, 07:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jetboyphx

I use a Yuasa charger as they used to be better at detecting and charging according to battery condition, Battery Tender may have caught up in recent years though. I just have one charger and rotate it between vehicles.

Yuasa recently had an issue with one of their units frying batteries, there was an article on it in Motorcycle Consumer News. I like Yuasa as well. I am looking to purchase a bank charger as I own several Tender's and would like to consolidate. I also want to mount the unit overhead in my garages and have drop-down cords. No matter what, I like you, am getting substantial extended battery life.

Tuner@A&ACorvette · #14 (**permalink**) 04-12-06, 02:17 AM

battery tenders work well

LLXLR · #15 (**permalink**) 05-21-06, 12:58 PM

I am having the same issue but drive the car every day. I have had to jump the car 4 times in a week. The car had 19 mules when I got it last week and now has 190. I am taking in next week and will post out what I learn. It seems that something is clearly draining the battery and its somewhat random. This usually happens when sitting in the garage overnight but not always. This morning the car started fine. I drove about 10 minutes. Parked for an hour and it would not restart. This is after carefully making certain that nothing was left on in the car. Please advise if anyone has had this issue and resolved it.