Some wierd stuff going on???
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Oct 2000
Posts: 1,183
Likes: 0
From: Tulsa OK
Some wierd stuff going on???
I need some opinions. Maybe every 3 or 4 drives (only driven on sunny weekends) my baby wants to act up. The battery is less than a year old.
The most common problem when she’s acting up is the radio shuts off. I can just turn it back on, but everything is reset like the battery was disconnected.
Sometimes when I’m sitting with the key on, not started but on, the door locks will act like they are trying to work, but not fully locking, as if the battery is low. They do this own their own, I’m not touching them. Once the car is started this stops.
Only a couple times the car has completely shut down, completely dead. This has only happened within a minute or two after starting her and at very slow speed (5 mph or less). It has started right back up with no further problems.
Does anybody have any thoughts?
Thanks for the help,
Jay
The most common problem when she’s acting up is the radio shuts off. I can just turn it back on, but everything is reset like the battery was disconnected.
Sometimes when I’m sitting with the key on, not started but on, the door locks will act like they are trying to work, but not fully locking, as if the battery is low. They do this own their own, I’m not touching them. Once the car is started this stops.
Only a couple times the car has completely shut down, completely dead. This has only happened within a minute or two after starting her and at very slow speed (5 mph or less). It has started right back up with no further problems.
Does anybody have any thoughts?
Thanks for the help,
Jay
Melting Slicks
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 2,351
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From: Delta B.C. Canada
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First thing I would check is that both battery cables are clean and snug at the terminals. I had to replace the bolt on my neg cable because it kept working loose and was causing an intermittent connection.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 2,772
Likes: 64
From: Mystic CT
If it has an aftermarket alarm it would be the first thing I would find and remove. I did not find mine until I took the dash apart to change the radio and speakers. Mine was stuffed under the dash on the drivers side in the corner between the fire wall and where the door hinges are bolted held in with a couple of tie wraps. If you have one that needs to be removed have a good wiring diagram and follow it closely so you know how GM made it can get very confuing at best.
Drifting
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 1,324
Likes: 5
From: Charlotte NC
Not sure of your year, but if you have keyless entry and leave your fob in the car, the system does cycle every so often, which does momentarily activate the locks.
Outside of that, I'm guessing you have a ground issue.
Outside of that, I'm guessing you have a ground issue.
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Oct 2000
Posts: 1,183
Likes: 0
From: Tulsa OK
Thanks, I not a mechanic, so I need all the help I can get. 
I’ll check the connections first and hopefully that does it. She does have an aftermarket alarm, didn’t know this until the heater core was changed. They said it was a wiring mess! 
I don’t have keyless entry, I've got my fingers cross on just being bad battery connections. 
I’ll check the connections first and hopefully that does it. She does have an aftermarket alarm, didn’t know this until the heater core was changed. They said it was a wiring mess! I don’t have keyless entry, I've got my fingers cross on just being bad battery connections.
Drifting
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 1,363
Likes: 7
From: 1994 LT1 Coupe 6-speed with FX3 & 2000 LS1 Vert 6-Speed with F45 Hunterdon County, NJ
Jay17,
Given the battery is relatively new, and presuming it's not the battery terminals on the battery (as mentioned by other member), then I would check the the other end of the cables for corrosion/looseness (positive at starter but be sure to disconnect from battery before doing anything there), and negative on block.
Also, occasionally, the battery cable terminals can corrode within the connector, so be sure to pull/wiggle the connector to be sure it's not corrosion inside...
Lastly, check one of the main ground connections -- on the driver side of the bell-housing block, lower/back side of engine -- visible from above but usually only accessible from below (when I did my clutch, found it badly corroded and one wire broken from PO mechanic removal/installs).
Given the battery is relatively new, and presuming it's not the battery terminals on the battery (as mentioned by other member), then I would check the the other end of the cables for corrosion/looseness (positive at starter but be sure to disconnect from battery before doing anything there), and negative on block.
Also, occasionally, the battery cable terminals can corrode within the connector, so be sure to pull/wiggle the connector to be sure it's not corrosion inside...
Lastly, check one of the main ground connections -- on the driver side of the bell-housing block, lower/back side of engine -- visible from above but usually only accessible from below (when I did my clutch, found it badly corroded and one wire broken from PO mechanic removal/installs).
Instructor
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 132
Likes: 3
From: Springfield Ohio
Your basic main connections and grounds is probably the easiest place to start, but your comment about "...a wiring mess" throws up big red flags. if any of the main circuits have been tapped in to and is causing poor or intermittent connection issues, you could very well see the type of problems you are describing.
The extra power provided by the alternator might be compensating for this for the time being, but will not likely last. Also, power spikes caused by poor connections can put extra strain on very expensive electronics.
With so many of your systems "resetting", I would suspect a main ground or main power feed, but I am not an expert on C4 wiring, so there could be a feedback problem from one of the peripheral circuits.
Take your time with this. Make sure exposed connections are very clean and properly tightened. Intermittent electrical issues are very often difficult to diagnose.
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