flickering headlights and dashlights
Thread Starter
Advanced
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 84
Likes: 0
From: Lockport NY
flickering headlights and dashlights
I started noticing my headlights are dash lights are starting to flicker. The other day my lights wouldnt even flip up. Ive recently replaced the battery and that connection is tight. My volts are running at 14 so it couldnt be the alternator. My car is more of a garage car and seldom gets wet unless it gets washed. Any suggestions. 
Drifting
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 1,365
Likes: 1,818
Have you pulled the codes to see if there is anything interesting showing up? The flickering dash lights might be related to a bare wire in the rubber accordian boot between the body and door. But that usually results in other codes getting set. Here's a link to a writeup on the bare wire issue and it's real easy to check for.
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/c5-t...n-long-32.html
Then scroll down to post #640.
It might well be the multifunction stalk as suggested above but this one is easy to check for.
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/c5-t...n-long-32.html
Then scroll down to post #640.
It might well be the multifunction stalk as suggested above but this one is easy to check for.
I started noticing my headlights are dash lights are starting to flicker. The other day my lights wouldnt even flip up. Ive recently replaced the battery and that connection is tight. My volts are running at 14 so it couldnt be the alternator. My car is more of a garage car and seldom gets wet unless it gets washed. Any suggestions.
Pro
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 648
Likes: 1
From: South Jersey
Are your lights flickering at idle only but ok when driving? Problem with lights popping up with motor running but ok with the motor off? No unusual sounds with headlights?
Normal volt readings at idle and under power and no codes? Recently replaced the battery? I had all of the above, it was the battery terminals not tight enough. Try it, it
may work.
Jerry
Normal volt readings at idle and under power and no codes? Recently replaced the battery? I had all of the above, it was the battery terminals not tight enough. Try it, it
may work.
Jerry
Instructor
Joined: Nov 2002
Posts: 244
Likes: 12
From: IL
I agree with the the last post. I had the same problem. However, I found that the insulation on the end of the terminal would not allow solid consistent contact with the battery terminal. I inserted a couple of small thin plumber washers and no more problem.
Thread Starter
Advanced
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 84
Likes: 0
From: Lockport NY
It happens when driving and at idle. Ive checked the terminals and they are OK. Ill check for the codes and see if there are any issues there and check for bare wires in the door accordian. Thanks for the advise.
Last edited by Lenrock; Aug 23, 2009 at 10:17 AM.
Pro
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 648
Likes: 1
From: South Jersey
Lenrock, I hate to sound like a broken record but I would recheck the terminals on the battery again. If you did not have the flickering lights and the headlight problem before you changed the battery, how likely is it that you now have 2 distinct different problems now? For 3 months I was thinking of complicated expensive causes and it simply turned out to be a 1/4 turn on my negative terminal that instantly solved my problems.
Jerry
Jerry
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Thread Starter
Advanced
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 84
Likes: 0
From: Lockport NY
Ok heres what I got. I checked the battery term - neg was 1/8 turn. positive was snug.
Ran codes: U1160H - Loss of communications LDCM
B2282H - battery fault #1
B2284H - Battery fault #2
U1064H - Loss of communications BCM
U1255h - serial data line malfunction
There was obviously a prob with the battery somewhere. I had replaced the battery 3 months ago with no problems with the lights till recently.
I have reset the codes so is the best thing to do now is drive the car and see if the codes trip again?
Ran codes: U1160H - Loss of communications LDCM
B2282H - battery fault #1
B2284H - Battery fault #2
U1064H - Loss of communications BCM
U1255h - serial data line malfunction
There was obviously a prob with the battery somewhere. I had replaced the battery 3 months ago with no problems with the lights till recently.
I have reset the codes so is the best thing to do now is drive the car and see if the codes trip again?
Drifting
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 1,365
Likes: 1,818
YES, Drive it a bit and see what returns. The codes you posted are common for a dying/bad battery.
Ok heres what I got. I checked the battery term - neg was 1/8 turn. positive was snug.
Ran codes: U1160H - Loss of communications LDCM
B2282H - battery fault #1
B2284H - Battery fault #2
U1064H - Loss of communications BCM
U1255h - serial data line malfunction
There was obviously a prob with the battery somewhere. I had replaced the battery 3 months ago with no problems with the lights till recently.
I have reset the codes so is the best thing to do now is drive the car and see if the codes trip again?
Ran codes: U1160H - Loss of communications LDCM
B2282H - battery fault #1
B2284H - Battery fault #2
U1064H - Loss of communications BCM
U1255h - serial data line malfunction
There was obviously a prob with the battery somewhere. I had replaced the battery 3 months ago with no problems with the lights till recently.
I have reset the codes so is the best thing to do now is drive the car and see if the codes trip again?
