Why me????? Something new.....Help!!!
Thread Starter
Safety Car
Joined: Sep 2000
Posts: 3,524
Likes: 4
From: Hinckley Ohio
Why me????? Something new.....Help!!!
So I take the car out for a little cruising this afternoon. First part of the trip no problem. After a brief stop I come out, start it...no problem..but I notice the digital coolant temperature readout doing something funny.....it blanks out then flashes SYS....it cycled through reading temp, blanking out, flashing SYS..over & over..
It did the same thing on oil temp, voltage, instantaneous mpg, avg mpg, range....that is it would give the correct readings then go blank then flash SYS then blank out, give correct reading then go blank then flash SYS etc
Stopped to eat...restarted car drove home (15 miles or so)....everything was fine...watch coolant temp mostly..
SO WHAT DOESTHIS MEAN?????
It did the same thing on oil temp, voltage, instantaneous mpg, avg mpg, range....that is it would give the correct readings then go blank then flash SYS then blank out, give correct reading then go blank then flash SYS etc
Stopped to eat...restarted car drove home (15 miles or so)....everything was fine...watch coolant temp mostly..
SO WHAT DOESTHIS MEAN?????
Race Director
Joined: May 2001
Posts: 14,165
Likes: 9
Well that's the same SYS light that will flash if you install an aftermarket radio and don't do it correctly for the C4. Obviously that didn't happen and then magically remove itself. I've seen it flash that same light if the courtesy lamps fuse is removed or blown, again that wouldn't just correct itself.
Another somewhat common cause for the SYS light would be a weak battery. I'm sure there are many more but those are just the first three that come to mind, only one of which is feasable for your case.
Another somewhat common cause for the SYS light would be a weak battery. I'm sure there are many more but those are just the first three that come to mind, only one of which is feasable for your case.
Thread Starter
Safety Car
Joined: Sep 2000
Posts: 3,524
Likes: 4
From: Hinckley Ohio
It is the original battery, but this happened when the motor was running so the voltage was there...read 14.5 volts if I remember correctly...
I never realized the digits on the Infomation Center could disappear & be replaced by the letters SYS....I am not taliking about the Check Engine Soon light
I'll check for codes tomorrow..
Need to dig into the owners & service manuals to check out other causes???
I never realized the digits on the Infomation Center could disappear & be replaced by the letters SYS....I am not taliking about the Check Engine Soon light
I'll check for codes tomorrow..
Need to dig into the owners & service manuals to check out other causes???
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 7,276
Likes: 3
From: Why are there squished peanut butter cups in my underware?
Originally Posted by LT4BUD
It is the original battery, but this happened when the motor was running so the voltage was there...read 14.5 volts if I remember correctly...
Burning Brakes
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 810
Likes: 1
From: Las Vegas NV
This just happened to me with my 96 Coupe. Replacing the battery solved the problem. After testing, it turned out my battery was on it's last leg, even though it started the Vette right away and showed no obvious signs of failure.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 8,700
Likes: 298
From: Ft. Lauderdale Fl
Better safe then sorry....
Pull the codes and see what comes up. If you have an old battery but starts the car, change it for a new one. It may be a cheap fix, an easy one to do and it should last for several years. You might want to look at the fuses also.
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Thread Starter
Safety Car
Joined: Sep 2000
Posts: 3,524
Likes: 4
From: Hinckley Ohio
No codes, but the battery voltage is 11.5 volts with the engine off.
Looks like you guys have hit it on the head......time for a new battery...
Now, the big question is which battery???? I am going to start by looking at the lightweight Z06 battery....
Thanks everyone for the help...
Looks like you guys have hit it on the head......time for a new battery...
Now, the big question is which battery???? I am going to start by looking at the lightweight Z06 battery....
Thanks everyone for the help...
Thread Starter
Safety Car
Joined: Sep 2000
Posts: 3,524
Likes: 4
From: Hinckley Ohio
Originally Posted by rick lambert
Have you checked your battery connections to make sure there not corroded or dirty? I'd do that first. 
But a good point...I think more people have replaced batteries because of a bad connection than because the battery itself was actually bad.....and they never know because when you change the battery you clean up the connections so it looks like the battery was indeed the problem since the problem is fixed..
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 8,596
Likes: 19
From: Portland Oregon
Originally Posted by LT4BUD
I will double check that to be sure.....visually they look very clean....
But a good point...I think more people have replaced batteries because of a bad connection than because the battery itself was actually bad.....and they never know because when you change the battery you clean up the connections so it looks like the battery was indeed the problem since the problem is fixed..
But a good point...I think more people have replaced batteries because of a bad connection than because the battery itself was actually bad.....and they never know because when you change the battery you clean up the connections so it looks like the battery was indeed the problem since the problem is fixed..
Bud also check the grounds, especially the ones on the block on the drivers side rear just above the CAT Conv mount. Its a real PITA but thats where GM decided to place the PCM and other IMPORTANT grounds. Also make sure that the battery ground cable to the frame and engine is good.