Help please starting probs :(
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: Jun 2011
Posts: 44
Likes: 2
Help please starting probs :(
Hey all need some help
today c4 was running like a dream went out for a nice steady drive for half an hour . got home parked her up had a coffee
went to start her up and nothing no click nothing , i then opened the bonnet and thought it maybe a loose connection , i then moved the red battery connection slightly and heard a noise , went to start her and away she went , but wait for it SHE DIED after running for 2 / 3 Min's at idle , tried to start her again and nothing , all the dash lights were looking confused
i have since cleaned all connections from battery etc
and she will start but she dies after 3 Min's and then nothing on the second turn
battery is 7 years old and wasn't drove that much , but never less she was running like a dream until today
all advice would be great thanks for your time in helping me out
AD
today c4 was running like a dream went out for a nice steady drive for half an hour . got home parked her up had a coffee
went to start her up and nothing no click nothing , i then opened the bonnet and thought it maybe a loose connection , i then moved the red battery connection slightly and heard a noise , went to start her and away she went , but wait for it SHE DIED after running for 2 / 3 Min's at idle , tried to start her again and nothing , all the dash lights were looking confused
i have since cleaned all connections from battery etc
and she will start but she dies after 3 Min's and then nothing on the second turn
battery is 7 years old and wasn't drove that much , but never less she was running like a dream until today
all advice would be great thanks for your time in helping me out
AD
Le Mans Master
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 6,842
Likes: 285
From: Palmdale CA
Your battery is pretty old. You might want to check that first and have that tested. Next, is your alternator charging the battery? Secondly, what condition is the battery cable in? Did you take a really close look at the wiring inside the terminal on the positive battery cable? Is it corroded? You also need to check the grounds too. Just follow the negative cable and it's offshoots and you'll see where all the body and electrical grounds tie in to a single spot.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 6,842
Likes: 285
From: Palmdale CA
First check the digital display on the dash for charging. It should read at least 13v, preferably higher. You have switches that can change to that particular function if it doesn't show. You can also use a multimeter to check the alternator directly. Set the multimeter on DC volts and put the positive lead to the red and negative lead to any ground to get the same result. If you're not comfortable doing this, it may be a good idea to take it to someone who can test the battery, output voltage, etc.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 6,842
Likes: 285
From: Palmdale CA
If the alternator is faulty, then the engine is relying on the battery to run the electronics and it sure won't run very long on that source. Is the "ALT" light on before you start the car? Does it stay on after you start it? What's the voltage with the car off, but the dash up? What's the voltage when you start it?
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: Jun 2011
Posts: 44
Likes: 2
thanks for the advice
one question would the engine stop running if the alternator is faulty ?
when she was running today it was showing 11.0v and even went down to 10.8v even 10.6 10.4v :-/
Funny thing was when it went that low in volts it started to go up again to 14.8v then all the dash lights went dim and froze
one question would the engine stop running if the alternator is faulty ?
when she was running today it was showing 11.0v and even went down to 10.8v even 10.6 10.4v :-/
Funny thing was when it went that low in volts it started to go up again to 14.8v then all the dash lights went dim and froze
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Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: Jun 2011
Posts: 44
Likes: 2
hi all
tested the volts today
when engine is off the volt meter reads 12.8 on battery
when car is running she reads 11.4
i,m still sure its an earth issue as all the dash lights go mad and freezers
Saturday i,m getting under the corvette to see whats going on with the earth leads the big ones
anyone have a link on what to look out for
tested the volts today
when engine is off the volt meter reads 12.8 on battery
when car is running she reads 11.4
i,m still sure its an earth issue as all the dash lights go mad and freezers
Saturday i,m getting under the corvette to see whats going on with the earth leads the big ones
anyone have a link on what to look out for
Last edited by ad-01; Jul 1, 2011 at 12:10 PM.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 6,842
Likes: 285
From: Palmdale CA
Research "Ground" or "Grounds" instead of "earth" as that's the name we give it in the States. The reason the dash goes crazy is that digital circuits require both a 5V and 12v reference. It's not getting enough voltage to run properly and is constantly resetting and trying to run on less than what it's getting.
Test the output of the alternator directly and tell us what it's got. Also, the regulator is built-in the alternator and that may be a part of the problem, especially with the fluctuating voltage. I'd say that the 'grounds' or earth is not likely the cause of your problem. Test the battery, check the alternator output first. Just because the battery has the voltage, doesn't mean that it will supply the current necessary to start the car!
Test the output of the alternator directly and tell us what it's got. Also, the regulator is built-in the alternator and that may be a part of the problem, especially with the fluctuating voltage. I'd say that the 'grounds' or earth is not likely the cause of your problem. Test the battery, check the alternator output first. Just because the battery has the voltage, doesn't mean that it will supply the current necessary to start the car!
Last edited by F22; Jul 1, 2011 at 12:20 PM.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 6,842
Likes: 285
From: Palmdale CA
Here's a good thread for checking out an alternator. This is a common problem. Do a search on this forum only and you will find a ton of information! Here's a good place to start and a very helpful forum member 'jfb' has some great tips.
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/c4-t...n-problem.html
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/c4-t...n-problem.html
Le Mans Master
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 6,842
Likes: 285
From: Palmdale CA
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: Jun 2011
Posts: 44
Likes: 2
Here's a good thread for checking out an alternator. This is a common problem. Do a search on this forum only and you will find a ton of information! Here's a good place to start and a very helpful forum member 'jfb' has some great tips.
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/c4-t...n-problem.html
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/c4-t...n-problem.html
thanks bud you are a star thanks for the help
i will keep ya all posted on my results
AD
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: Jun 2011
Posts: 44
Likes: 2
just tested output straight from the alternator
11.6v
PS: another indication would be the red battery symbol light being lit on the dash! its not on in my car ?
if it was the alternator surely the red light would stay on when engine running?
11.6v
PS: another indication would be the red battery symbol light being lit on the dash! its not on in my car ?
if it was the alternator surely the red light would stay on when engine running?
Last edited by ad-01; Jul 1, 2011 at 01:22 PM.
Team Owner
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 54,124
Likes: 30
From: Cincinnati, Oh USA
You already tested the alternator and it is clearly defective. Cold the alternator puts 14.7 volts across the battery and this drops to 13.7 volts as the alternator gets to its operating temperature. The red battery symbol light indicates out of range voltage, either too low or too high and in your case it is too low. Your battery if at 12.8 volts should not drop to 11.8 volts engine running even with the alternator not working. Lead acid batteries should not be left sitting, even disconnected, they discharge (even disconnected) and lead sulfate collects on the plates if you do not keep the battery charged up. Sulfating reduces the amphour capacity of the battery until you get to the point that the battery will not supply cranking current.
Team Owner
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 54,124
Likes: 30
From: Cincinnati, Oh USA
Pro
Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 502
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Hey all need some help
today c4 was running like a dream went out for a nice steady drive for half an hour . got home parked her up had a coffee
went to start her up and nothing no click nothing , i then opened the bonnet and thought it maybe a loose connection , i then moved the red battery connection slightly and heard a noise , went to start her and away she went , but wait for it SHE DIED after running for 2 / 3 Min's at idle , tried to start her again and nothing , all the dash lights were looking confused
i have since cleaned all connections from battery etc
and she will start but she dies after 3 Min's and then nothing on the second turn
battery is 7 years old and wasn't drove that much , but never less she was running like a dream until today
all advice would be great thanks for your time in helping me out
AD
today c4 was running like a dream went out for a nice steady drive for half an hour . got home parked her up had a coffee
went to start her up and nothing no click nothing , i then opened the bonnet and thought it maybe a loose connection , i then moved the red battery connection slightly and heard a noise , went to start her and away she went , but wait for it SHE DIED after running for 2 / 3 Min's at idle , tried to start her again and nothing , all the dash lights were looking confused
i have since cleaned all connections from battery etc
and she will start but she dies after 3 Min's and then nothing on the second turn
battery is 7 years old and wasn't drove that much , but never less she was running like a dream until today
all advice would be great thanks for your time in helping me out
AD
Disconnect battery and check voltage, wait 5-10 minutes and reconnect and try your key again or a spare would be better.
Note to everyone w/VATS, ALWAYS CARRY A SPARE KEY!!!
