`96 losing memory functions
Thread Starter
Safety Car
Joined: Nov 1999
Posts: 4,282
Likes: 1,153
From: Green and Wet Western Oregon
2023 C7 of the Year Winner - Unmodified
2018 C6 of Year Winner
`96 losing memory functions
We drove the `96 to a club meeting tonight and as we were nearing the restaurant I noticed the voltage readout was erratically bouncing between 12.3 and 14.7. When we parked and got out the PKE worked fine and the doors locked. When we came out about 2 hours later the PKE would not unlock the doors, I unlocked with the key, but the electric door lock switch inside would not unlock the passenger door. The car started fine, but we had lost all memory setting on the clock, radio, and heater. The average mpg reading had also reset to zero. On the way home (about 50 miles) I kept watch on the volts and they were steady at 14.2 to 14.4 and the door lock switch worked fine. When we got home, I turned it off, waited about 10 minutes, started the car again and all the memory settings are holding. The only thing I found in a quick search was the 15 amp fuse in the bypass circuit (battery quick disconnect) was blown.
So, electrical wizards, what do you think??
So, electrical wizards, what do you think??
Instructor
Joined: Jun 2000
Posts: 240
Likes: 0
From: Sunnyvale Ca
Re: `96 losing memory functions (duckvett)
I had a battery post break on me.
Check the battery post connections for corrosion (remove and inspect).
Be sure the key is OFF. (out of the car just to be safe :))
Check the battery post connections for corrosion (remove and inspect).
Be sure the key is OFF. (out of the car just to be safe :))
Thread Starter
Safety Car
Joined: Nov 1999
Posts: 4,282
Likes: 1,153
From: Green and Wet Western Oregon
2023 C7 of the Year Winner - Unmodified
2018 C6 of Year Winner
Re: `96 losing memory functions (2dogs)
2dogs, Thanks for the reply. I checked all the battery connections, clean and dry. The memory settings are all holding for now, but I'm still going to take it to an auto electrical shop next week to see if they can find anything. It seems like there would have to be a short somewhere to blow that 15 amp bypass curcuit fuse. :confused:
I hate intermittant electrical problems!
I hate intermittant electrical problems!
Le Mans Master
Joined: Oct 2000
Posts: 5,086
Likes: 0
From: Northern tip of Virginia
Re: `96 losing memory functions (duckvett)
I had something similiar, but not exactly the same on my 91.
soon after I bought it, I noticed that occasionally, I would lose ALL of my readout on the dash unit. It was an intermittent problem.... today it might be fine and tomorrow it would be all screwy.
I returned it to the dealer TWICE to have the dash unit "repaired"to no avail.
With my 3rd trip to him, I expressed my dissatisfaction with the car that he had sold me, and insisted that he repair it imediatly, or refund my money!
We knew it wasnt in the dash unit, as, by this time it was "new", so further investigation revealed a ground wire that had worn to bare wire, and was "shorting out"against the frame...(near the transmission).
condensed version..>>>> check for a worn or loose ground wire?
soon after I bought it, I noticed that occasionally, I would lose ALL of my readout on the dash unit. It was an intermittent problem.... today it might be fine and tomorrow it would be all screwy.
I returned it to the dealer TWICE to have the dash unit "repaired"to no avail.
With my 3rd trip to him, I expressed my dissatisfaction with the car that he had sold me, and insisted that he repair it imediatly, or refund my money!
We knew it wasnt in the dash unit, as, by this time it was "new", so further investigation revealed a ground wire that had worn to bare wire, and was "shorting out"against the frame...(near the transmission).
condensed version..>>>> check for a worn or loose ground wire?
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jan 2000
Posts: 3,418
Likes: 1
From: NW Chicago Suburbs
Re: `96 losing memory functions (duckvett)
If the battery is more than 2 years old, I'd replace it first, esp if your car is idle for a few winter months. Modern car's alternator voltage regulators really pound on a battery, erroring on the side of overcharging, which shortens battery life (if it self dischagres over winter it's even worse).
I know it's a shotgun approach, but a good battery can be had for less than $75, IMHO, it's a good start and cheap to try.
Eric
I know it's a shotgun approach, but a good battery can be had for less than $75, IMHO, it's a good start and cheap to try.
Eric
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jul 2002
Posts: 5,818
Likes: 2
From: Alive and well in Burlington NC
Re: `96 losing memory functions (kittmaster)
:lurk:
I'm interested in this topic also. Had a similar experience in my 91. Had the Trip/ODO set to trip, had about 250 miles on it. Got out and went to the store. When i came back and fired her up, the trip meter had been reset to 0.0 and the avg. fuel indicator read 0 (was at 20.5). This has only happened once (about 15,000 miles ago) and has not reoccured. Makes you want to say "WTF".
I'm interested in this topic also. Had a similar experience in my 91. Had the Trip/ODO set to trip, had about 250 miles on it. Got out and went to the store. When i came back and fired her up, the trip meter had been reset to 0.0 and the avg. fuel indicator read 0 (was at 20.5). This has only happened once (about 15,000 miles ago) and has not reoccured. Makes you want to say "WTF".
Thread Starter
Safety Car
Joined: Nov 1999
Posts: 4,282
Likes: 1,153
From: Green and Wet Western Oregon
2023 C7 of the Year Winner - Unmodified
2018 C6 of Year Winner
Re: `96 losing memory functions (Steel Blue 91)
Good advise from everyone, thank you all.
At this point I am leaning more toward the ground wire shorting, thus causing the 15 amp fuse in the bypass curcuit to blow. Now if I had any clue where all the ground wires were located...............
I pulled the covers off both underhood fuse blocks last night, everything looks fine there.
The battery is also a prime suspect, it seems I have to replace the battery about this time of year every other year. Even though I try to disconnect the battery for long spells in the winter, it still draws down, and then when I want to drive the Corvette in the Spring - dead or weak battery.
I hope we can find the problem before we take off on the Caravan, I don't need to be worrying about the electrical system all the way to Bowling Green!
At this point I am leaning more toward the ground wire shorting, thus causing the 15 amp fuse in the bypass curcuit to blow. Now if I had any clue where all the ground wires were located...............
I pulled the covers off both underhood fuse blocks last night, everything looks fine there.
The battery is also a prime suspect, it seems I have to replace the battery about this time of year every other year. Even though I try to disconnect the battery for long spells in the winter, it still draws down, and then when I want to drive the Corvette in the Spring - dead or weak battery.
I hope we can find the problem before we take off on the Caravan, I don't need to be worrying about the electrical system all the way to Bowling Green!
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Le Mans Master
Joined: Oct 2000
Posts: 5,086
Likes: 0
From: Northern tip of Virginia
Re: `96 losing memory functions (duckvett)
if your battery is drawing down on a regular basis, I would chech the alternater.
On 2 different vehicles, a Blazer, and my current Pathfinder (about a month ago) I had this problem.
Took it to Battery MArt, and sure enough the alternater was bad and was drawing on the battery overnight.
in BOTH cases an new/rebuilt alternater fixed the problem.
If your battery is drawing down to the point that your car wont start, it is possible that this is causing your settings to reset.
On 2 different vehicles, a Blazer, and my current Pathfinder (about a month ago) I had this problem.
Took it to Battery MArt, and sure enough the alternater was bad and was drawing on the battery overnight.
in BOTH cases an new/rebuilt alternater fixed the problem.
If your battery is drawing down to the point that your car wont start, it is possible that this is causing your settings to reset.