Well I don’t know what to do.....my whole electrical system is acting up...here’s what it is doing....

-DIC showed "service soon" then was gone the next time I turned on the car

-Gas gauge was in the red but after I turned the car off and started it again the gauge went back up to 1/8 take left.

-Traction control and ABS will occasionally just turn off when I’m driving and I have to turn off the car and start it back up again and it will go back on.

-DIC won’t show the tire pressure sometimes

I was wondering if it could some how be the battery....it doesn’t seem to hold a charge very well and the lights will fade if you roll down the windows...
The car is a 99 coupe with 53,600 on the clock...
Hope this is an easy fix....

 

If your battery is at all in question, PLEASE rip that sucker out of there and take it down to one of the local auto parts stores and get it tested.

Take it from the school of HARD KNOCK, if it is an OEM Delco, if it has not leaked yet,,,,,,,,,,it WILL! If it does, it will cost you at least $200 to $1000 to repair the damage.

Yes the battery will cause some very strange issues. C5's are very sensitive to power flucitations and low voltage.

Check your DTC codes and see what codes are present. i bet you see a ton of U series codes and a lot of loss of comms

Bill C

 

Welcome to the Dead AC Delco Club

Your only decision needed now is what type of replacement.

I went with Optima Red Tops in both my cars.

Bill's absolutely correct. Don't risk a "leaker", I just avoided that fate with the Camaro.

 

Let's hope it isn't too late, by that I mean the battery hasn't started to leak. But if it has, you may still be able to save things by washing the area under the battery with backing soda and water solution, then spray drench the area with WD40..paint frame if need be.
Replce battery with the Red Top Optima.
Good luck

 

Yep, it is your battery.

 

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Replace ONLY with:
Optima Red Top, Optima Red Top, Optima Red Top, Optima Red Top, Optima Red Top, Optima Red Top, Optima Red Top, Optima Red Top, Optima Red Top, Optima Red Top, Optima Red Top, Optima Red Top.

 

[QUOTE=pcfred]Battery Battery Battery Battery Battery Battery Battery Battery Battery Battery Battery Battery Battery Battery Battery Battery Battery Battery, oh also it could be your Battery.
Replace ONLY with:
Optima Red Top, Optima Red Top, Optima Red Top, Optima Red Top, Optima Red Top, Optima Red Top, Optima Red Top, Optima Red Top, Optima Red Top, Optima Red Top, Optima Red Top, Optima Red Top.[/QUOTE
I must concur

 

Everyone has given good advice, however, I believe you have lost the BCM (Body Control Module). It is becoming common in 1999 & 2000 Models in the last year or do. When the BCM fails, everything goes haywire. I doubt that its your battery. The BCM's are not that expensive, but they do need to be programmed with a Tech II, which is dealer issue.

Its true, AC Delco had problems with their batteries positive posts. They were using a plastic retainer to secure the positive post to the internal case. If the positive post is overtightend, the plastic would break and leak. Batteries sold after January, 2004, have a titanium retainer to secure the positive post, thus solving the cracking and leaking problem.

As far as Optima Red Top Vs. the New AC Delco, I'm still liking the Delco. I have a plie of Optima Batteries as tall as the old Delco.

Good Luck!!!

 

Don't forget a battery mat for the extra $2.

 

Naaaa, I doubt if it is the BCM. BCM doesnt have much to do with the Traction Control and ABS! Ive had a bad BCM. Now bad grounds can cause some real strange issues!! Been there too!

I would change the batt first. Its a sure bet and cheap!

Then if you still have issues, post your DTC Codes and we can help you.

BC

 

i have a interstate? came with the car bought used... stays at 14.1 while car is running... shoud i waste the money on a redtop?

 

Its true, AC Delco had problems with their batteries' positive post. They were using a plastic retainer to secure the positive post to the internal case. If the positive post is overtightend, the plastic would break and leak. Batteries sold after January, 2004, have a titanium retainer to secure the positive post, thus solving the cracking and leaking problem.

Not so much "overtighting". The earier year C5 with the Delco batteries had the top post. The positive cable is to short. Virberation caused the cable to work the post lose, causing the battery to leak acid un-noticable until either spotted under the car on the passenger side by the front wheel or the mentioned electrical problems. The post problem has been fixed by side post along with what you mentioned on the later years.
This is my $.02
Rsty

 

The Ankle Bone it tied to the Shin Bone, and the BCM runs thru the PCM. Be surprised what a failed BCM will do....... Its FREAKY!!!!!!!!!

 

Batteries have a few things that they provide. One is voltage. The everyday mondane run of the mill 12 VDC. They also have current. lots and lots of current. In the range of 500 -1000 amps. Most have around 650-750 amps Batteries need to preform well in both areas. There are a few measurements that allow us to tell if a battery is preforming up to par.

One commom area is CCA or Cold Cranking Amps. That is what the starter see's when you throw the key over to "START" Another is Reserve Cranking Voltage. How long can the battery supply the required 11.5 - 12 VDC to the load that it is rated for.

If you look at how your battery preforms when you start your car, you would see that as you increase the current output of the battery, the voltage output is inversly proportional to current flow. The output voltage will decrease as the current increases.

So,,,,,,,,,if the reserve capacity of the battery is low, the available voltage output drops low (for just a mili second or so) causing some of the microprocessors in the car to drop off line, throwing history codes or causing loss of comms messages.

To answer your question, you cant just look at a battery and see if it is functioning properly. You would need to take it to some place like AutoZone, NAPA, Pep Boys ect and have them check for CCA and Reserve Cranking Capacity. They will in short order let you know the short comings of your battery.

When the battery voltage drops low, things like the FOB's loose sync requiring you to repeatedly have to press and hold LOCK and UN-LOCK to re-sync, loose HUD memory and the HUD resets to the default page, loose ease entry settings, ect

Had an OEM delco and know the pit falls! Had to learn the hard way!

Bill Curlee