OK to Disconnect Battery When Winter Storing and '03 Z06

[Norm B.]

When I store my 63 in the barn for the winter I disconnect or remove the battery. This year we will also be storing an '03 Z06. A couple of "Experts" have warned us against disconnecting the battery, suggesting that it would cause problems with the computer, etc. I realize that come Spring things will need resetting but is there any damage that can be done by disconnecting or removing the battery? There is no power available where the cars are stored so a battery tender is not an option.

[Tom H.]

Re: OK to Disconnect Battery When Winter Storing and '03 Z06

If a tender is out of the question, I don't think you will see any issues with removing the battery.

[Carl N.]

Re: OK to Disconnect Battery When Winter Storing and '03 Z06

Norm, I'm respectfully opposing Tom's comment (even though he is associated with a dealership) while you may not cause any mechanical damage, at start up in the spring you will have error codes in the DIC and lose all presets (possibly some in the main computer which will require a "reflash" - not cheap) at least on a 1998 it does - maybe not on an '03

[Tom H.]

Re: OK to Disconnect Battery When Winter Storing and '03 Z06

You will create no error codes when removing the battery. Nor will you need to do any reflash. This would be no different than a battery replacement procedure. Carl is correct though. You will lose radio presets, clock time and memory setting if the car has memory.

[Tom R.]

Re: OK to Disconnect Battery When Winter Storing and '03 Z06

There is a little device that uses a 9v battery and plugs into your cigarette lighter socket that you can use to save your codes and pre-sets. I think it's about $10 almost everywhere. I've had one for years and they work great when you have to disconnect the battery for working on your car.
Tom