Help!
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 179
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From: Rockwall Texas
Help!
Okay, I searched the forums this morning about this and I thought I found a possible solution...but now I have a new problem....
This morning I get into my 98 C5 and turn the engine…it turns over just fine no problem...about two seconds later I get warnings and bells about REDUCED ENGINE POWER, SERVICE TIRE MONITOR SYSTEM, and the gauges are totally screwed up (0 psi oil, 260F water temp, 0 fuel) so I come in and search the forums on this and find that it could be a couple of things. So after work (the car sat through the day because I didn't drive it to work today) I go to start the car to take it to the dealership...and the engine won't crank, and the interior lights don’t turn on and the radio is off. However, the window controls and the door locks work. Has any one had this problem? Is it just a dead battery??
The car had the leaking battery acid on the PCM about a year or two ago and it was fixed and replaced...this is the first time I've had another problem with it.
Any help would be great...thanks
This morning I get into my 98 C5 and turn the engine…it turns over just fine no problem...about two seconds later I get warnings and bells about REDUCED ENGINE POWER, SERVICE TIRE MONITOR SYSTEM, and the gauges are totally screwed up (0 psi oil, 260F water temp, 0 fuel) so I come in and search the forums on this and find that it could be a couple of things. So after work (the car sat through the day because I didn't drive it to work today) I go to start the car to take it to the dealership...and the engine won't crank, and the interior lights don’t turn on and the radio is off. However, the window controls and the door locks work. Has any one had this problem? Is it just a dead battery??
The car had the leaking battery acid on the PCM about a year or two ago and it was fixed and replaced...this is the first time I've had another problem with it.
Any help would be great...thanks
Last edited by DwarfDump; Nov 17, 2005 at 07:14 PM.
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 179
Likes: 0
From: Rockwall Texas
I was just afraid it was some sort of "self-protect" mode that didn't let the car start. I'm trying to get a ride to Autozone..I'm looking to get the Optima battery..
Thanks for the help guys.
Thanks for the help guys.
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 179
Likes: 0
From: Rockwall Texas
I can't even jump start the car now...the hood light doesn't work and the same error codes come up...When the key is in the ignition the security light is not on. I put a multimeter on the battery and it red a solid 12.8V....I didn't see any unhooked connections...any suggestions??????
Racer
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 277
Likes: 6
From: Raleigh NC
My 2001 C5 had a similar experience awhile ago. Started, ran for 2 seconds, REDUCED ENGINE POWER, SERVICE TIRE MONITOR SYSTEM, etc, screwed up gauges. After 3 or 4 tries, it wouldn't even turn over. Strangely, some of the courtesy lights would not shut off, they were still on the next morning. I took it to the dealer, where they tried to pull codes to no avail. Essentially, they ended up unplugging and re-plugging connectors to the PCM and problem went away. I suspect it was a bit of crud or corrosion on a connector somewhere.
That was a few months ago, haven't had the problem since. Good luck!
That was a few months ago, haven't had the problem since. Good luck!
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 179
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From: Rockwall Texas
Hmmm..that is exactly what I am seeing! Its really annoying. The lights on the door panels that illuminate the windows and door locks stays light up. But none of the dome lights or hood light works. Did you have to get a tow? Is there any way I can unplug some connectors on the PCM? Or is that the computer that is located in the fender? Do you think unplugging the battery for a min or two would help?
Thanks so much for your help.
Thanks so much for your help.
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Race Director
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From: "It's 106 miles to Chicago, we've got a full tank of gas, half a pack of cigarettes, it's dark, and
St. Jude Donor '03-'04-'05-'06-'07-'08-'09-'10-'11-'12-'13-'14-'15-'16-'17-‘18-'19
NCM Sinkhole Donor
The PCM is the silver box standing on edge in the photo.
Sounds like a bad connection or bad grounds - and you might have to get a tow job......
Just remember to use a flatbed tow - anything but the dreaded hook... 
Race Director
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 11,308
Likes: 1
From: The Beautiful Greater Bay Area California
Originally Posted by blacksedan87
The PCM is the silver box standing on edge in the photo.
Sounds like a bad connection or bad grounds - and you might have to get a tow job......
Just remember to use a flatbed tow - anything but the dreaded hook... 
The "Hook Tow" is a bad, bad thing. 
Le Mans Master
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 9,713
Likes: 0
From: East Las Vegas Nv
this happend to mine but i was in the stagging lanes. we worked on it had no luck. put it on the trailer got it in the shop and left it over night got in it and it worked fine. took it to the dealer they wanted like 800 bucks to fix it maybe. i took it to sac ran it all weekend and still driving it . o ya they wanted me to bring it back .but it went to get painted . a maybe aint worth 800 bucks . if you find out what it is please post
Racer
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 277
Likes: 6
From: Raleigh NC
Originally Posted by DwarfDump
Hmmm..that is exactly what I am seeing! Its really annoying. The lights on the door panels that illuminate the windows and door locks stays light up. But none of the dome lights or hood light works. Did you have to get a tow? Is there any way I can unplug some connectors on the PCM? Or is that the computer that is located in the fender? Do you think unplugging the battery for a min or two would help?
Thanks so much for your help.
Thanks so much for your help.
I did get a tow, on a flatbed, to the dealer.
If it happens again to me, I'm going to start unplugging connectors.
Have you ever had water on the carpet in the passenger footwell ? Plugged condensation drains may have caused water to run/around the PCM in the passenger footwell, causing this kind of gremlin. I've read about that happening to others.
If it's the same problem as mine, disconnecting the battery will not help. I tried that, charged it overnight, and reconnected. No change.
Good luck - keep us posted!
Racer
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 333
Likes: 1
From: Mendota Heights MN
Originally Posted by DwarfDump
I can't even jump start the car now...the hood light doesn't work and the same error codes come up...When the key is in the ignition the security light is not on. I put a multimeter on the battery and it red a solid 12.8V....I didn't see any unhooked connections...any suggestions??????
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 179
Likes: 0
From: Rockwall Texas
Its seems like the PCM just needed to be reset, I unhooked the negative post on the battery for about 5 min and hooked it back up and it started right up with no warnings. I drove it about 400 mi today and it got good gas milage and ran just great. I guess it just needed a reboot.
Thanks again for all the help guys,
Thanks again for all the help guys,