2000 C5 Acting Strange
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2000 C5 Acting Strange
For the past month my 2000 C5 has been acting very strange. I've had various messages displayed, reduce power, service vehicle immediately, check tire pressure, remove key wait 10 seconds, the interior light blinking and the key in the ignition chiming even when i'm outside of the vehicle and the keys are not in the vehicle, the radio not turning off after the door was opened and the drivers side window not functioning when I released the contertible top hatch. I will get these messages or have these things happen and return to the car an hour later and the vehicle will function fine. I had initially taken the car in for service on these issues and they said the Walmart battery I replaced the factory battery with was casuing my problems and I have since replaced that battery with a new Die Hard Gold battery. The car is still doing all of the above. Has any one else had these strange things happen and what was causing this?
Le Mans Master
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 8,762
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From: Murphy TX
I have not, but most typically 'strange' and intermittent electrical problems are caused by a bad ground connection somewhere.
The other possibility, which has happened to people is the stock battery can leak acid down onto the computer, which is behind the right front wheel well.
When you took the batter out, did you look around real well beneath it? You may want to.
User Bill Curlee may be able to help you out more with locations of the various ground connections. A corroded ground is very common unfortunately, and the results are always a bit crazy (such as things you describe).
Good luck
The other possibility, which has happened to people is the stock battery can leak acid down onto the computer, which is behind the right front wheel well.
When you took the batter out, did you look around real well beneath it? You may want to.
User Bill Curlee may be able to help you out more with locations of the various ground connections. A corroded ground is very common unfortunately, and the results are always a bit crazy (such as things you describe).
Good luck
Drifting
Joined: Aug 2002
Posts: 1,525
Likes: 1
From: Santa Cruz Mountains CA
I can think of two other possibilities.
1) a loose ground wire (not just from the battery). There are ground wires located in various locations around the car.
2) water on the BCM computer that is located beneath the passengers floor board. This is easy to check out. If there is water present, put the computer in a plastic bag (you should probably do this anyway). Also, there is an A/C drain tube that will be clogged. It runs out of the car between the firewall and the motor behind the passenger's front wheel.
A search of the forum will help you find more details on how to access the A/C drain tube and ground points.
Good luck
Note: the BCM computer beneath the floor board is not the same PCM computer located beneath the battery. As for the battery, you should have bought something like the Optima, a battery that won't leak. If it's not too late to return/exchange the Sears battery, do it. I think Sears may sell the Optima.
1) a loose ground wire (not just from the battery). There are ground wires located in various locations around the car.
2) water on the BCM computer that is located beneath the passengers floor board. This is easy to check out. If there is water present, put the computer in a plastic bag (you should probably do this anyway). Also, there is an A/C drain tube that will be clogged. It runs out of the car between the firewall and the motor behind the passenger's front wheel.
A search of the forum will help you find more details on how to access the A/C drain tube and ground points.
Good luck
Note: the BCM computer beneath the floor board is not the same PCM computer located beneath the battery. As for the battery, you should have bought something like the Optima, a battery that won't leak. If it's not too late to return/exchange the Sears battery, do it. I think Sears may sell the Optima.
Last edited by Pipes; May 20, 2005 at 11:38 PM.
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Thank you for the quick responces. How would I access the computor under the passenger floor board? Is it under the floorboard carpet or do I approach from under the vehicle. I apologize I am not very mechanically savy.
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Originally Posted by huskerhoss
Thank you for the quick responces. How would I access the computor under the passenger floor board? Is it under the floorboard carpet or do I approach from under the vehicle. I apologize I am not very mechanically savy.
It is under the carpet and has an access panel you need to remove. Good luck finding the source of your electrical gremlins.
