NEED HELP...Quickly...Plz do reply....
Thread Starter
Safety Car
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 3,675
Likes: 58
From: Hayward (Bay Area) CA
NEED HELP...Quickly...Plz do reply....
hey guy, I hve 2 questions. 1. I bought the car about 2 months ago. I dont drive it much yet...just went out with it a few time. 2 days ago, noticed battery went down, so gave it a jump 2 days ago, drove around the house. TODAY the battery was down...again. Jumped and then drove off and on all day...worked ok. My question, whats up? I also got the DIC message saying, Pull the key, wait 10 seconds. The battery has gone down 2 times in a week.
My 2nd question is that it has the 12 CD changer. Worked ok the first few times, when loaded with CDs. TODAY, I was getting Err message on the stereo display. It won't work, why? Same CDs would play fine if I insert them one by one in the main CD player. But when I stick them in the 12 CD changer in the trunk, it won't work. Any ideas? Is that related to the battery issue? Either way, HOW can I fix it ? Thanks
99 coupe, a4, 2.73, all stock - for now!
My 2nd question is that it has the 12 CD changer. Worked ok the first few times, when loaded with CDs. TODAY, I was getting Err message on the stereo display. It won't work, why? Same CDs would play fine if I insert them one by one in the main CD player. But when I stick them in the 12 CD changer in the trunk, it won't work. Any ideas? Is that related to the battery issue? Either way, HOW can I fix it ? Thanks
99 coupe, a4, 2.73, all stock - for now!
Last edited by Vette_Fan; Mar 30, 2005 at 06:45 AM.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Feb 2002
Posts: 3,179
Likes: 13
From: Coal Valley IL
CI 4-7, 9 & 10 Veteran
It is very likely the battery. When the car is running, check the battery voltage on the DIC. If it shows around 13.8 volts, that is a good indication that the alternator is probably OK and the system is charging.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 7,501
Likes: 1
From: Maine
sounds like the battery... the car will freak when theres a bad battery....... jump it check the volts on the dic ... if its about 13.8 it prolly the battery.. go get an optima red top from sears 
Team Owner
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 21,180
Likes: 19
From: Freestate Corvette Club! Elkridge, MD
St. Jude Donor '17
Originally Posted by jman1
sounds like the battery... the car will freak when theres a bad battery....... jump it check the volts on the dic ... if its about 13.8 it prolly the battery.. go get an optima red top from sears
These things flip out when the battery starts to go
Safety Car
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 4,208
Likes: 2
From: Rochester MN
CI 5-6-7-8 Veteran
St. Jude Donor '04-'05-'06-'07
NCM Ambassador
Instructor
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 176
Likes: 0
From: San Antonio Texas
I know that my C5 went apes%$t 
when my battery died and was jumped. I bought a new Optima Red Top at Sears and have never had a problem since (knock on wood). It sounds like your Battery is the problem. Remember the C5 will shut down some systems if the battery is going bad.
when my battery died and was jumped. I bought a new Optima Red Top at Sears and have never had a problem since (knock on wood). It sounds like your Battery is the problem. Remember the C5 will shut down some systems if the battery is going bad.
Tech Contributor
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 19,384
Likes: 87
From: Horncastle Lincolnshire, England
2023 C5 of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
Originally Posted by jman1
sounds like the battery... the car will freak when theres a bad battery....... jump it check the volts on the dic ... if its about 13.8 it prolly the battery.. go get an optima red top from sears
When my Delco died it was totally undramatic. Everything died instantly. that said, loads of horror stories on the Forum of wierd indications when the battery goes.
I got a Red Top
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Melting Slicks
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 3,172
Likes: 4
From: Central Coast CA
Originally Posted by andy60
The CD's may be upside down? I did the the first time I loaded the my CD's
Pro
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 551
Likes: 0
From: Mars
Change the battery as you get loads of false messages when it dies, none of which are true. however, the Pull key thing can be the onset of the column lock issue for which a bypass may be required. Just change the battery first.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 959
Likes: 12
From: California CA
Batery may not be gone... it takes more than just driving around the block to charge it after a long stint in the garage. Mine was dead as dead... and after a 1hr drive on the highway, it seems to be back to normal.
CD is upside down... did this in my Camaro.
CD is upside down... did this in my Camaro.
Thread Starter
Safety Car
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 3,675
Likes: 58
From: Hayward (Bay Area) CA
Originally Posted by Vettlldo
I agree...it's not logical but you need to load the CD's upside down in the CD carosaul.
As for the CD issues, I'm sticking all those lil trays into that plastic magazine, exactly as I did before...and as the arrows are pointed. I pull the magazine out, pull the tray out, and lay the CD in it...Label facing up, and the shiny part down. Put everything back as normal, and close the CD box. I'm not sure if this is just due to the battery issue. I drove the car off and on pretty much all day yesterday, and it seems to be working ok now. But I'm still confused with the CD issue..
Thank...appreciate your replies... Plz keep em coming... 
P.S: There are original CDs, not copies.
Last edited by Vette_Fan; Mar 30, 2005 at 04:58 PM.
Instructor
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 187
Likes: 0
From: Chandler Az
Did you copy the cd's? My changer will not play copied cd's! As far as Batteries, They are not all the same. The optima is a dry cell battery and the battery in your C5 sits right above two computers. 
Wet cell batteries tend to leak, and have caused problems with these computers. something to think about when you have to replace the battery. 
Wet cell batteries tend to leak, and have caused problems with these computers. something to think about when you have to replace the battery.
Team Owner
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 24,129
Likes: 1,038
From: The Beautiful Pacific Northwest
St. Jude Donor '05-'06-'07-'08-'09, '14-'15-'16-'17-'18
Originally Posted by bogiemanjoe
I know that my C5 went apes%$t when my battery died and was jumped. I bought a new Optima Red Top at Sears and have never had a problem since (knock on wood). It sounds like your Battery is the problem. Remember the C5 will shut down some systems if the battery is going bad.
when my battery died and was jumped. I bought a new Optima Red Top at Sears and have never had a problem since (knock on wood). It sounds like your Battery is the problem. Remember the C5 will shut down some systems if the battery is going bad. My Delco died without warning and after I got it jumped, went and got my Red Top. Trouble-free ever since.
Thread Starter
Safety Car
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 3,675
Likes: 58
From: Hayward (Bay Area) CA
Love this forum ... and everyone...
Hey....Thanks for all the replies guys... I did put the CD upside-down, and it worked. Its really amazing, though not logical at all...but it works if you put the CD in the magazine up side down.
I turned On the car, and it started today. Since I did a lot of driving yesterday, I feel its prolly well charged. I think I should start the car everyday for a few minutes, even if I don't drive it much. Though my other cars will start easily, even if I trun em On after a month. But I guess, Vette needs daily attention....
Anyways, thanks for all the help... Just wanted to say, this forum and guys here ROCK...
I turned On the car, and it started today. Since I did a lot of driving yesterday, I feel its prolly well charged. I think I should start the car everyday for a few minutes, even if I don't drive it much. Though my other cars will start easily, even if I trun em On after a month. But I guess, Vette needs daily attention....
Anyways, thanks for all the help... Just wanted to say, this forum and guys here ROCK...
Burning Brakes
Joined: Oct 1999
Posts: 836
Likes: 0
From: Colorado Springs, Colo., USA
Insert your car's ignition key, turn to ON but don't start. The readout will tell you the volts your battery is holding. If less than 10.5 or 11, I'd be concerned about the battery. You already have others' advice about the readout showing the charge coming out of the alternator when the engine is running.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 1,119
Likes: 0
From: Spring Branch Texas
Originally Posted by Vette_Fan
Thanks guys... OK as for the battery issue, you all seem to love Red top. Great! But I've a question, a battery is a battery, isn't it? I've a awesome Exide battery that I just bought 2 yrs ago for the 300ZX. It wasn't the factory recommended battery (550 CCA). Its the 740 cold cranking Amps, nice, strong battery. I've always got the more powerful batteries in my cars. So, can I just stick that battery in the C5, if it fits? I'm sure it'll work....or do really have to buy a new battery?
As for the CD issues, I'm sticking all those lil trays into that plastic magazine, exactly as I did before...and as the arrows are pointed. I pull the magazine out, pull the tray out, and lay the CD in it...Label facing up, and the shiny part down. Put everything back as normal, and close the CD box. I'm not sure if this is just due to the battery issue. I drove the car off and on pretty much all day yesterday, and it seems to be working ok now. But I'm still confused with the CD issue.. Thank...appreciate your replies... Plz keep em coming... P.S: There are original CDs, not copies.
As for the CD issues, I'm sticking all those lil trays into that plastic magazine, exactly as I did before...and as the arrows are pointed. I pull the magazine out, pull the tray out, and lay the CD in it...Label facing up, and the shiny part down. Put everything back as normal, and close the CD box. I'm not sure if this is just due to the battery issue. I drove the car off and on pretty much all day yesterday, and it seems to be working ok now. But I'm still confused with the CD issue..
Thank...appreciate your replies... Plz keep em coming... P.S: There are original CDs, not copies.CD - Labels down - shiny side up (while holding CD carrier with #1 slot on bottom) -
Last edited by RCK1999; Mar 30, 2005 at 10:30 PM.
Thread Starter
Safety Car
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 3,675
Likes: 58
From: Hayward (Bay Area) CA
Originally Posted by RCK1999
CD - Labels down - shiny side up (while holding CD carrier with #1 slot on bottom) -
About the battery issue - I twisted the key to start, without starting the engine. It shows about 12-12.2..or so Volts. So I guess the battery isn't so bad yet. It just needs to get driven a lil everyday.
Fine with me..
Lepus-temperamentalus
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 5,827
Likes: 5
From: Roswell Ga
Originally Posted by Vette_Fan
Thanks guys... OK as for the battery issue, you all seem to love Red top. Great! But I've a question, a battery is a battery, isn't it? I've a awesome Exide battery that I just bought 2 yrs ago for the 300ZX. It wasn't the factory recommended battery (550 CCA). Its the 740 cold cranking Amps, nice, strong battery. I've always got the more powerful batteries in my cars. So, can I just stick that battery in the C5, if it fits? I'm sure it'll work....or do really have to buy a new battery?
Optima batteries, and another brand that I can't remember, are filled with gel rather than water. For that reason they won't leak ever and they won't drip battery acid down on that very expensive computer sitting below them.
There have been some reports recently about defective Optimas, but it seemed like a little spurt of bad batteries and I haven't heard anything else negative about them since.