Engine Dies/no electrical
Thread Starter
6th Gear
Joined: Feb 2009
Posts: 6
Likes: 0
From: Lacey Wa
Engine Dies/no electrical
Need help! My Vette is an 89 Convertible, AT/AC/5.7.
I have installed a Battery Disconnect. When I reconnect the battery and start the car, the air conditioner comes on eventhough it was not left on prior to the disconnect. When the engine dies all electrical is gone. Sometimes I can turn the ignition off and the engine will restart with full electrical but the air conditioner comes on. Other times, I have to disconnect and reconnect the battery then the engine will start and the air conditioner comes on. I have had the car in to qualified Corvette shops and they can't figure it out. I am very concerned that the engine will die when I am on the freeway and endanger me as well as other drivers. The voltage output is always around 13 to 14 amps. Prior to the engine dying, there is no rough idle, stalling etc.
I have installed a Battery Disconnect. When I reconnect the battery and start the car, the air conditioner comes on eventhough it was not left on prior to the disconnect. When the engine dies all electrical is gone. Sometimes I can turn the ignition off and the engine will restart with full electrical but the air conditioner comes on. Other times, I have to disconnect and reconnect the battery then the engine will start and the air conditioner comes on. I have had the car in to qualified Corvette shops and they can't figure it out. I am very concerned that the engine will die when I am on the freeway and endanger me as well as other drivers. The voltage output is always around 13 to 14 amps. Prior to the engine dying, there is no rough idle, stalling etc.
Team Owner
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 20,298
Likes: 240
From: Summerland B.C. Canada
AC coming on after battery has been disconnected and reconnected, is normal, at least on my 86.
You loss of power may be a poor battery connection, maybe even due to you disconnect.
You loss of power may be a poor battery connection, maybe even due to you disconnect.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 5,043
Likes: 8
From: Tampa Florida
This is normal behavior for the C68 unit. Did you have a problem like this before the "battery disconnect" install? If not get it out of there.
Thread Starter
6th Gear
Joined: Feb 2009
Posts: 6
Likes: 0
From: Lacey Wa
Good point. I don't remember this happening before the install of the Battery Disconnect. Reasonable to start with removal of the Battery disconnect. However, the engine dying has been so sporadic how can one be sure removing the battery disconnect is the culprit?
Team Owner
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 54,124
Likes: 30
From: Cincinnati, Oh USA
You can tell the BAT disconnect is at fault by measuring the voltage on each end of the disconnect. You should measure 12v on the battery post and the same on the output side of the disconnect. My money is on a defective disconnect switch.
