[B]Need Help![/B]
Thread Starter
Team Owner
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 22,918
Likes: 31
From: 26.6771° N, 80.0370° W
[B]Need Help![/B]
My vette has been running great and all the gauges were perfect. Last night my car just wouldn't turn on after I parked it. It has the transmitter to to unlock/lock the door and when i went near the car it was already unlocked. As soon as I tried to start it, it wouldn't do anything (no roll-over, no noise) I had to leave it and go to work. The passive keyless entry was flashing and when I returned there was a clicking noise coming from the very front of the engine (either the alarm or the horn) We tried to jump it last night w/ my friends car, and it would try to turn over, but that was it. My friend thinks it may be the battery, eventhough my battery gauge was reading perfect up-until this. If it is the battery what is the easist way to remove it? I'm stuck because this is my everyday car and I really need some help. Thanks guys.
Thread Starter
Team Owner
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 22,918
Likes: 31
From: 26.6771° N, 80.0370° W
Thanks for the fast reply. I'm going to go drive to the car right now and see if that will work. If it doesn't work, I think I'm going to try a new battry. Would it be easiest to remove the side louve part of the car to get to the battery?
Drifting
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 1,438
Likes: 3
From: Florissant MO
Originally Posted by 94Stealth
Would it be easiest to remove the side louve part of the car to get to the battery?
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 3,413
Likes: 138
From: Texas
My car ran great for the almost 2 years I had it and one day on my way home the voltage dropped significantly out of nowhere, I limped it home and it wouldn't start after that. I bought a new alternator and it fixed the problem after getting it checked by AutoZone. If I were you I would do the same.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 931
Likes: 3
From: Portland OR
Originally Posted by Randy Strube
I would try removing the cruise control thingy above the battery first. You might also have to loosen the brakets holding the computer. Try that first. If still not enough room, then remove the side part.
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Thread Starter
Team Owner
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 22,918
Likes: 31
From: 26.6771° N, 80.0370° W
Alright so we jumped the car an I drove it about 2 miles, and it was flashing 5y5 where the speedomoter is. Then i made the mistake of turning it off to pump gas. We had to jump it again, and as I began to drire it, it died on me, so we jumped it and I drove i home about 2 more miles. I just went and bought a new Optima battery and I'm now going to go put it in, and clean the connection. Hopefully this will solve my problem. I'll let you guys know what happens.
Thread Starter
Team Owner
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 22,918
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From: 26.6771° N, 80.0370° W
I was able to change the battery, and when I checked the volts using the car gauges, it started out at 14.4V I took it for a drive and made sure to use things that would help me drain the battery so I can see if my alternator is messed up. It's currently at 14V after being at 13.9 I tried to use a voltmeter but had trouble because the markings were off. My problem is early Friday morning I have to leave to drive to Ohio and I'm worried about something happening while I'm on the road. What would you guys recommend I do? Do you think my alternator is bad, or the battery gauge is off because even minutes before the car died the gauge was reading a perfect battery.
Race Director
Joined: Oct 2001
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From: Canton GA
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If you were able to start the car with a jump and drive it, your alternator is very likely OK. The SYS message that you saw is very common when the battery has died.
Almost all cars will run without a battery as long as you can get it started (jump it). Just don't put a lot of load on the electrical system (headlights, A/C, 2000 watt stereo).
Also, almost all cars will run for a good while without an alternator following the same rules, very little electrical load. I mean it will run for a couple few hours or more! It's surprising how little current an engine needs to run compared to everything else in the car.
Almost all cars will run without a battery as long as you can get it started (jump it). Just don't put a lot of load on the electrical system (headlights, A/C, 2000 watt stereo).
Also, almost all cars will run for a good while without an alternator following the same rules, very little electrical load. I mean it will run for a couple few hours or more! It's surprising how little current an engine needs to run compared to everything else in the car.
Thread Starter
Team Owner
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 22,918
Likes: 31
From: 26.6771° N, 80.0370° W
Hey guys, just wanted to let you know that I changed the battery and tested my alternator. All is well and the alternator I have is in good condition. Just in case any of you decide to buy an optima battery, there are two connections sticking-out the top for jumping cars. If you put it in it will touch metal underneath the radiator and c.c. which will cause more problems, so what I did was cut the positive (only one w/ interference) connection and capped it off so there can't be any problems in the future. Thanks for all your help, hopefully my trip to Cleveland will be uneventful now (I'm leaving in 3 hrs.) 