[CamaroSS50]

Happy New Year to all!

Was ready to drive my Camaro today, got the key fob, dropped the top then got into the driver's seat.

Went to start my Camaro (with less than 5,000 miles on it) and it just made a clicking noise.

Hmmm.

After a 2nd attempt, without any success, tried to put the top back up, which it got it up almost to completion. No dice.

Called OnStar, they sent a guy out about 30 minutes later, clearly a full dead battery.

Guy tried charging it in the front. Still no success (he had grounded incorrectly).

Finally got it started.

Drove it around for about 30 minutes.

Looked on my screen, all the driving modes were gone and noticed the engine symbol was fully lit.

Called OnStar, they ran a diagnostic, came back that the engine, transmission & fuel line were not working correctly and I needed to get it in within 1 day.

Got back and dropped off my passenger.

Went into the house, called the dealership to bring it in. They say OK for it to come in today, but not sure they can get to it today. Fine.

I go back out to bring it. I start it back up and all that was happening prior is not.

I call OnStar again, they run another diagnosis, no errors were found. I take it out for another drive and everything seemed as it was before this dead battery.

This now begs the question, do I need to have the battery checked?

My Camaro was delivered to the dealer June 1, 2017. I bought it almost a year to the date later. I have put on less than 5,000 miles, so it is not driven a ton, so do I need to get this battery replaced?

Thanks in advance for the advice!

[Puddin]

It would be a good idea to have the battery checked. These cars are real finicky when the battery is weak and they will throw all kinds of lights if their starting cycle fails or is slow to the point that all the electronics don't connect with each other on time.

[Captain J]

Maybe a loose or corroded connection at the battery. Maybe a bad battery. Take it in, let them check it out. Also, I believe the book says not to operated the convertible top unless the engine is running as it can drain the battery quickly.

[CamaroSS50]

Originally Posted by Captain J

Maybe a loose or corroded connection at the battery. Maybe a bad battery. Take it in, let them check it out. Also, I believe the book says not to operated the convertible top unless the engine is running as it can drain the battery quickly.

Thanks.

OnStar sent the diagnostic codes just now:

Module
ECM - Engine System

Diagnostic Code
P069E

Diagnostic Information

The Engine and Transmission System is not performing as expected. An issue has been detected in the Fuel Management System used to maintain, control and monitor fuel consumption. If the check engine light is flashing, a misfire condition has been detected. A misfire increases vehicle emissions and could damage the emission control system on the vehicle. Please reduce vehicle speed, avoid hard accelerations, avoid steep uphill grades, and reduce any cargo loads such as a trailer. If the vehicle is continually driven with the check engine light on, the emission controls might not work as well, the vehicle fuel economy might not be as good, and the engine might not run as smoothly. This could lead to future repairs.

Recommended Action
Service within 1 day

Module
ECM - Engine System

Diagnostic Code
P0700

Diagnostic Information

The Engine and Transmission System is not performing as expected. An issue has been detected in the Transmission System that transfers power from the engine to the drive wheels. You may experience reduced power or shifting issues.If the vehicle is continually driven with the check engine light on, the emission controls might not work as well, the vehicle fuel economy might not be as good, and the engine might not run as smoothly. This could lead to future repairs.

Recommended Action
Service within 7 days

Now this was the test before the battery was charged.

Think the battery need to be replaced, so will get it in when they can look it over.

As for the top, usually put it down while the car is running, but occasionally use the key fob to take the top down. Did not know that it should be running, but have not done it enough to believe that would kill the battery.

I think it sat for a year on a dealer lot.
I don't drive it every day, sometimes not for a week.

Will report back after I bring it in...

[Indy_62]

Originally Posted by Captain J

Maybe a loose or corroded connection at the battery. Maybe a bad battery. Take it in, let them check it out. Also, I believe the book says not to operated the convertible top unless the engine is running as it can drain the battery quickly.

It would be well worth your time to take it to a dealer to check it out.
The top is designed to be operated without the engine running; the manual mentions not to raise or lower it multiple times without the engine running.

[17rsvert]

Sounds like your battery was low on charge and the power top drained the last bit before you tried to start it. Running the car for 30 minutes after a dead battery jump start is most likely not enough to fully charge the battery. Do you have a battery charger (not just a trickle charger/maintainer)? If so you may want to keep it on the battery for a full day or 2 and see if that solves the issue. About a year and a half ago, mine was completely dead once (interior lights would not even turn on) and I put it on my smart charger for 4 days, no problems after that.

[Gunkk]

The various computer modules in our cars do all kinds weird stuff when they get low voltage, and throw all kinds of bogus codes as death wails.

OP: how long did your car sit?

If more than 30 days, I recommend putting a battery tender on it. Something like this:
https://www.amazon.com/CTEK-40-206-5...dp/B00CD44RQO/

Also get yourself a bluetooth OBDII reader and Torque App (or similar) so you can read and reset your own codes w/o having to rely on Onstar which is just going to tell you to take it to the dealer every time. Anyone who own's a car made after the mid 80's should have one of these and know how to use it. Own a screwdriver? Pliers? Vice Grips? Then you need to own one of these too. They're only $7 these days!

https://www.ebay.com/itm/Car-Bluetoo...7/163902821127

[Puddin]

Originally Posted by CamaroSS50

Thanks.

OnStar sent the diagnostic codes just now:

Module
ECM - Engine System

Diagnostic Code
P069E

Diagnostic Information

The Engine and Transmission System is not performing as expected. An issue has been detected in the Fuel Management System used to maintain, control and monitor fuel consumption. If the check engine light is flashing, a misfire condition has been detected. A misfire increases vehicle emissions and could damage the emission control system on the vehicle. Please reduce vehicle speed, avoid hard accelerations, avoid steep uphill grades, and reduce any cargo loads such as a trailer. If the vehicle is continually driven with the check engine light on, the emission controls might not work as well, the vehicle fuel economy might not be as good, and the engine might not run as smoothly. This could lead to future repairs.

Recommended Action
Service within 1 day

Module
ECM - Engine System

Diagnostic Code
P0700

Diagnostic Information

The Engine and Transmission System is not performing as expected. An issue has been detected in the Transmission System that transfers power from the engine to the drive wheels. You may experience reduced power or shifting issues.If the vehicle is continually driven with the check engine light on, the emission controls might not work as well, the vehicle fuel economy might not be as good, and the engine might not run as smoothly. This could lead to future repairs.

Recommended Action
Service within 7 days

Now this was the test before the battery was charged.

Think the battery need to be replaced, so will get it in when they can look it over.

As for the top, usually put it down while the car is running, but occasionally use the key fob to take the top down. Did not know that it should be running, but have not done it enough to believe that would kill the battery.

I think it sat for a year on a dealer lot.
I don't drive it every day, sometimes not for a week.

Will report back after I bring it in...

Those are both the same codes I had before I replaced my battery. Just changed mine out last week and no more codes and runs like a champ.

[CamaroSS50]

Was it replaced under warranty?

[Puddin]

Originally Posted by CamaroSS50

Was it replaced under warranty?

Most of my car warranty has been nullified due to the amount of mods I've done to my car. I just went to the local Oreilly store and bought a new one. They might replace yours since it's still under warranty.

[ctrlz]

Originally Posted by Gunkk

The various computer modules in our cars do all kinds weird stuff when they get low voltage, and throw all kinds of bogus codes as death wails.

Yeah, I agree with this. You could have the battery checked at a parts store with a load tester.
Batteries can be finicky and test out good, then a little vibration while driving and the plates separate and the voltage drops.
If it keeps giving weird codes I would replace the battery. Sometimes a 5-year battery gives you 7 years, sometimes you get 3.

[Rock-It Man]

3 years and only 5,000 miles?

If you haven't been using a battery tender, needing a new battery should be no surprise.

[kropscamaro16]

mine got replaced last year around feb/march just a little before my 3 year warranty expired

[SpeedRacer51]

If you do not drive your Camaro everyday, a battery tender is your only fix.