What Have I Done Now??
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Sep 2012
Posts: 256
Likes: 1
From: Taylorville IL
What Have I Done Now??
The other day it was extremely warm and mild. I decided to uncover the 1994 M6 and let it run for a while. It has not been started in over a month. Hooked up the battery, and 4 way flashers are coming on, along with security light on dash flashing. Something new to me is a little red light on the center console in front of the suspension adjustments for sport, tour, and competition. Also have what sounds like relays clicking in the passenger compartment that will stop, along with the lights flashing after a while, but then starts again. Engine will not attyempt to crank, but I do hear the solenoid for the starter clicking and the fuel pump is running. Charging the battery now as it showed a little low at 11.2 volts. The hood is open so this might explain the security light. What am I fighting? VATS, the car alarm, ignition pellet in key?? The P.O. had a new G.M. ignition switch and key replaced about three years ago. Any and all input is appreciated....
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Sep 2012
Posts: 256
Likes: 1
From: Taylorville IL
Jacked with car a little more and have my guess on a bad battery. After charging for 8 hours, my little charger says that the battery was only up to 75% charge. Fiddled with door locks with the key and from inside as well. Got the alarm to go off once, disarmed by unlocking passenger door with the key. Even after charging for this length of time, battery drops to where the car tells me I have low voltage and this happens after 20 minutes or so. My guess is that only a surface charge is reaching the battery and the amps are not enough to spin the starter. I wish I would have completly removed the battery as I said I did when putting it away for the winter. Was planning on doing this, but never got around to it. Hindsight is always 20 - 20. At any rate, would low voltage and or low amps cause the chaos with the flashing 4-way lights and thinking there is a problem with VATS?? Also wish I knew what that little red light is on the center console, it is still flashing and I believe this is part of the alarm. Car ran perfectly when parked and was dead reliable. Hope I am on to something.
Team Owner
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 20,179
Likes: 673
From: Freedom is never more than one generation away from extinction.
St. Jude '03 thru '24
How old is the battery? 3-4 years is about all you can expect.
Consider buying a good "float" charger like a Battery Tender when the car sits.
Consider buying a good "float" charger like a Battery Tender when the car sits.
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Racer
Joined: Oct 2012
Posts: 350
Likes: 2
From: Huntsville AL
I'd check the terminals before replacing the battery. Even side terminal batteries can corode. Most chain stores (AZ, Adv, O'R's) will charge and load test a battery for free. If the battery is indeed bad, one store in particular often has online discounts up to 20% and you can pick up your internet order at the store an hour later.
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Sep 2012
Posts: 256
Likes: 1
From: Taylorville IL
Still messing with the car. Took side post battery out of my daily driver Saturn, which is fully charged and actually has more amps than Corvette battery. Temporarily install loaner battery making sure contacts are clean and tight. Same thing - dash flickering, alarm going bonkers (no horn sounding, though), four ways flashing and license plate light flashing. Keep wanting to think the alarm is somehow preventing car from starting and am going to search the forum for this. Still have the little red light flashing on the center console which leads me to believe that is somehow tied to the car alarm. Checked every fuse that might be related to alarm both in the passenger interior fuse panel and under the hood. I cannot believe there is not a fuse associated for it. Perhaps there is a relay somewhere I dont know about?? Please keep the thoughts coming, would like to resolve this before I go back to work tomorrow night. Thanks to all who have thus far posted.
Cessnaguy
Cessnaguy
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Sep 2012
Posts: 256
Likes: 1
From: Taylorville IL
Bassack - I believe this car is 100% stock with no aftermarket anything on it. There is a megaphone type speaker on the underside of the hood between the hood and splash panel at drivers side wheel. Which fuse panel should I check? The interior one I assume. Will have to research how to jack up the car to get under it to check connections at the starter. Thanks for the input...Still think flashing red light in console has something to do with it.
Cessnaguy
Cessnaguy
Race Director
Joined: Feb 2003
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From: Kingman AZ
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Cruise-In VIII
St. Jude Donor '06-'07-'08-'09-'10-'11-'12-'13-'14-'15-'16
Sounds like an aftermarket alarm problem. There is no light near the FX3 switch on either the 96 or 91 that I have owned.
Race Director
Joined: Oct 2005
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From: Rolla Missouri
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Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Sep 2012
Posts: 256
Likes: 1
From: Taylorville IL
Okay, the wealth of info from everyone is just great. I firmly believe I am now fighting an aftermarket alarm on this. Why would anyone do this in the first place?? Is the VATS not good enough? Just have to research this alarm now and will keep everyone informed. Thanks to all thus far.
Cessnaguy
Cessnaguy
Burning Brakes
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 800
Likes: 2
If you can get lucky like i was able to on a 3000GT that had an aftermarket alarm on it. The story goes I bought a '96 3000GT VR4 was supposed to have been completely stock, upon looking at it everything was stock, except a aftermarket alarm, which had been wired into a red led that looked completely factory. I had no way to disarm after changing a battery and the car would no longer start. crawl under dash and found the main box for the alarm and unplugged it, car fired up as soon as I turned the key. later went in and removed everything. but maybe you can get lucky and it is a basic immobilizer or something
Le Mans Master
Joined: Feb 2000
Posts: 9,600
Likes: 88
From: Springfield PA
Philly 'Burbs Events Coordinator
Sounds like there is an after market alarm.
One of the features of after market alarms is a relay that kills the start wire.
Take out that alarm, you'll probably have to splice in the yellow wire from the steering column where a relay is connected.
One of the features of after market alarms is a relay that kills the start wire.
Take out that alarm, you'll probably have to splice in the yellow wire from the steering column where a relay is connected.
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Sep 2012
Posts: 256
Likes: 1
From: Taylorville IL
Oh my word bass, I dont like the look of that mess you had. The good news is that everyone is honing in on the problem for me and whittling it down to the nitty gritty. Have the contact info of the P.O. and am trying to get in touch with him for even more info. I believe everyone here will get me on the straight and narrow with or without making contact. Gonna try Ruby and Dust's idea and see if there is something easy to unplug to get engine started. The education I am getting is far worth the price of admission, though. Thanks to everyone so far and I will reopen this thread after checking further.
Cessnaguy
Cessnaguy