Strange electical problem
Thread Starter
7th Gear
Joined: Jul 2011
Posts: 7
Likes: 0
From: Norman Oklahoma
Strange electical problem
I have a strange electrical problem that just happened to me. I was driving along and the rear hatch just opened by itself without me touching the hatch release button. The next day it happened again but this time the Passive Keyless Entry light came on and stayed on. After I had stopped and restarted the car the light when out. The next day it happened again except this time the hatch solenoid kept clicking away and never stopped and the hatch kept popping up by itself. Also the electric door lock kept clicking away but would eventually stop. If I opened or closed the electric door lock it would click quite a few times but finally quit. The rear hatch solenoid would never stop clicking until I pulled the power plug off. Has anyone else experienced anything like this before?
Race Director
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 10,036
Likes: 346
From: Anaheim CA
Could be a bad switch in the fob. The circuitry in the fob could have a problem and it's sending the unlock/open hatch message at random times. You might try flicking the fob with your finger to see if that triggers the problem. Do you have another fob to carry with you for a while to see if the problem goes away?
If not the fob, then the problem would be in the keyless entry module.
The first step is to isolate the problem to the fob or module. Then you know which part to troubleshoot.
If not the fob, then the problem would be in the keyless entry module.
The first step is to isolate the problem to the fob or module. Then you know which part to troubleshoot.
Instructor
Joined: Feb 2011
Posts: 136
Likes: 1
From: Florence Mississippi
normanvette, what did you find with your hatch opening. My 96 just did the same thing. I was sitting at a redlight and the hatch just popped open. The board showed passive keyless entry. I shut it and right now it is fine, No clicking, etc.m Thanks for any info.
Instructor
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 119
Likes: 4
From: Sherwood Arkansas
I have a strange electrical problem that just happened to me. I was driving along and the rear hatch just opened by itself without me touching the hatch release button. The next day it happened again but this time the Passive Keyless Entry light came on and stayed on. After I had stopped and restarted the car the light when out. The next day it happened again except this time the hatch solenoid kept clicking away and never stopped and the hatch kept popping up by itself. Also the electric door lock kept clicking away but would eventually stop. If I opened or closed the electric door lock it would click quite a few times but finally quit. The rear hatch solenoid would never stop clicking until I pulled the power plug off. Has anyone else experienced anything like this before?
When I bought the car in 2005 the PKE system didn't work at all.
A few years later the hatch would unexpectedly pop open randomly, usually while the car was parked. At the same time the hatch latch was cycling, so were the door locks. The only way I could stop it was to start the car and then turn it off.
I tried pulling the hatch fuse which solved the hatch popping open, but it didn't solve the door locks randomly cycling. I then pulled the door lock fuse which stopped the cycling but now I have to lock and unlock the door manually.
I was able to reinstall the hatch fuse which allows me to open it with the hatch switch and it hasn't popped open by itself since (I did reinstall the lock fuse once and the fault started up again so I remove it again)
I suspect that the PKE receiver has an internal short that is causing the problem but replacement parts are hard to find and can be expensive. I haven't had the time or the desire to pull the dash pad to access the receiver. If anyone has any tips on replacing the receiver it would be appreciated.
Team Owner
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 25,389
Likes: 2,741
I believe I'd first try the diagnostics using the DIC for the PKE - that has an error code for PKE receiver memory bad. The CCM codes from the DIC might also be helpful. Maybe it's actually a CCM fault. Don't know but those diagnostics don't cost anything to check.
Corvette Stories
The Best of Corvette for Corvette Enthusiasts
10 Reasons the C6 Z06 is Still A Performance Benchmark After 20 Years
Joe Kucinski
How Much Horsepower Every Corvette Engine "LOST" in 1972
Joe Kucinski
Top 10 DOs and DON'Ts for Protecting Your Convertible Top!
Michael S. Palmer
Top 10 Most Explosive Corvettes Ever Made: Power-to-Weight Ratio Ranked!
Joe Kucinski
150 hp to 1,250 hp: Every Corvette Generation Compared by the Specs That Matter
Joe Kucinski
8 Coolest Corvette Pace Cars (and Replicas) of All Time
Verdad Gallardo
Top 10 Corvette Engines RANKED by Peak Torque (70+ Years of Muscle!)
Joe Kucinski
Corvette ZR1X Will Be Pacing the Indy 500, And Could Probably Race, Too!
Verdad Gallardo
Top 10 Corvettes Coming to Mecum Indy 2026!
Brett Foote
Le Mans Master
Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 5,599
Likes: 10
St. Jude Donor '16
I changed my "door ajar button I'm sure not the correct nane for it" lol. on the inside of the drivers side door on my 95.I cant remember where i read that that was the problem but it solved it.