[arpad_m]

Originally Posted by clg82

Don't mean to steal your thread Mak, but I think it's worth asking for those of us that don't drive our cars as much so they sit, what is everyone using as a battery tender so that we can keep our batteries fresh?

I decided to spend a little extra and got the OptiMATE 6 that has more functionality, better connectivity and visibility into the state of the battery.

[Alain]

Originally Posted by clg82

Don't mean to steal your thread Mak, but I think it's worth asking for those of us that don't drive our cars as much so they sit, what is everyone using as a battery tender so that we can keep our batteries fresh?

Another vote for ctek here!!!

[MakCamaro]

Coming back to that because I had this happening again last night while I was doing maneuvers in order to park the car. Switched of the engine and on again and issue disappeared

[MakCamaro]

...And reporting back again. I didn't have the intermittent power steering loss and the "Service Rear Axle" message for the last 2-3 months. However, all of a sudden, I started having both the intermittent power steering loss and the "Service Rear Axle" message on the dash again several times during the last week.

This time I also noticed that when those two things happened, the seat memory was lost as well and, on top of that, the window would drop a couple of inches and I would have to roll it down and up again as if I disconnected the battery for a few minutes. I also noticed that when I was trying to start the car by pressing the start button, I could only hear a click, the engine wouldn't turn over and lights on the dash would go dim. I was able to start the car after a couple of tries. I concluded that my battery was dead and I was about to buy a new battery (which I might do eventually), but all this convinced me that there was something wrong with the battery connections somehow. I decided to start by using a multimeter to check my battery's voltage and that's when I noticed that the battery connector in the trunk was not sitting tight on the + pole and that it was sort of bent. I was actually able to rotate the connector easily on the pole with my hand.

I removed the connector, I straightened it with a pair of pliers, then I put it back on the battery and I tightened it. This seems to have solved the problem overall. No power steering failure, no Rear Axle message on the dash, no power seating memory loss and no engine cranking failure. I drove the car for a couple of hours and everything seems fine. So fingers crossed it was just a loose battery connection.

Will report back if I notice something odd.

[clg82]

Originally Posted by MakCamaro

...And reporting back again. I didn't have the intermittent power steering loss and the "Service Rear Axle" message for the last 2-3 months. However, all of a sudden, I started having both the intermittent power steering loss and the "Service Rear Axle" message on the dash again several times during the last week.

This time I also noticed that when those two things happened, the seat memory was lost as well and, on top of that, the window would drop a couple of inches and I would have to roll it down and up again as if I disconnected the battery for a few minutes. I also noticed that when I was trying to start the car by pressing the start button, I could only hear a click, the engine wouldn't turn over and lights on the dash would go dim. I was able to start the car after a couple of tries. I concluded that my battery was dead and I was about to buy a new battery (which I might do eventually), but all this convinced me that there was something wrong with the battery connections somehow. I decided to start by using a multimeter to check my battery's voltage and that's when I noticed that the battery connector in the trunk was not sitting tight on the + pole and that it was sort of bent. I was actually able to rotate the connector easily on the pole with my hand.

I removed the connector, I straightened it with a pair of pliers, then I put it back on the battery and I tightened it. This seems to have solved the problem overall. No power steering failure, no Rear Axle message on the dash, no power seating memory loss and no engine cranking failure. I drove the car for a couple of hours and everything seems fine. So fingers crossed it was just a loose battery connection.

Will report back if I notice something odd.

How are you guys accessing your batteries? You have to remove the carpet that surrounds it? I have a hard enough time seeing in that little hole let alone pulling the battery thru there.

[Gunkk]

Originally Posted by clg82

How are you guys accessing your batteries? You have to remove the carpet that surrounds it? I have a hard enough time seeing in that little hole let alone pulling the battery thru there.

Yes you pull the "carpet" aka fabric coated plastic side panel down. It's stiff, but flexible enough to bend down out of the way at normal temps (i.e. not cold). Might have to loosen up the plastic trim, but if you get the pins loose you may be able to just slide it down. This is easier on the vert: just 2 push-pins and no top trim, and if you raise the tonneau you can get a better view.

[bertie]

Originally Posted by arpad_m

I decided to spend a little extra and got the OptiMATE 6 that has more functionality, better connectivity and visibility into the state of the battery.

Great to hear the Optimate 6 is also recommended here. My buddy is looking to get it for his incoming Camaro project. We got to finish first the installation of the brake pads and dually wheels on the Superduty this week before we can take her in.

[itsplynch]

Any other reported solves
For this? Mine is doing all of the above plus a dash flicker and pulsating AC/license plate lights. Would like to diagnose before I just drop off at dealer. Battery tested great.

[SCCAForums]

Originally Posted by itsplynch

Any other reported solves
For this? Mine is doing all of the above plus a dash flicker and pulsating AC/license plate lights. Would like to diagnose before I just drop off at dealer. Battery tested great.

In my experience, the battery always passed the test… If your terminals are tight… spend $200 on a replacement battery… your problems will go away.

Best regards,
Dave