[Z06] Complete meltdown - Z brothers help!!!
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: Oct 2011
Posts: 27
Likes: 0
From: San Francisco Ca
Complete meltdown - Z brothers help!!!
Complete Meltdown last night. Took the car out for a drive and well not only did the "charge system fault error" message appear but I also got these ---> service traction system / service active handling / low engine power / low voltage / low or no ABS and Im sure there were a few more in between the light show on my dash. And all that happened right before she keeled over and died. So now im stuck near the Haight ashbury district of SF waiting for a jump. Got it started drove 8 blocks and she died again,
and called a flatbed. This is starting to get not fun, A simple header install results in all this. I need help Z brothers! thanks for your time
and called a flatbed. This is starting to get not fun, A simple header install results in all this. I need help Z brothers! thanks for your time
Race Director
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 11,060
Likes: 291
From: Pasco WA
Most of your symtoms are typical of a weak battery. Very strange things can happen before your battery gives up. If, however, you had no problems until you had headers installed, then most likely your O2 sensors were switched, damaged, or burnt through due to sloppy installation. It's also very easy to damage your starter wiring.
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: Oct 2011
Posts: 27
Likes: 0
From: San Francisco Ca
Yes altenator came off during install and I have triple checked that is has been hooked up properly. Im very thourough when doing all my own work. I assured nothing was in burn range of the headers as well as extra precaution when installing the O2 sensors. O2's arent crossed up either. I disconnected the starter for the pax side header to slide in but never removed and hooked right back up after the header slipped by. After the whole meltdown night I checked the battery and didnt see green through the peep hole, but the car was off if that matters. Also another thing to note: dash lights flickered and went off while car still running before it died. I am leaning toward either starter or battery. Another question? Is it usual for the Z's to go through all cel's that I experienced before dieing or could this be a larger problem?
Pro
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 622
Likes: 46
From: Canton Georgia
I have only replaced two batteries in 11 years, never an alternator or hint of charging problem. Never seen all of CEL's as you reference except when I had a moisture problem and connections were damp due to a different issue. I would start with all grounds. If they are good then its all connections and wiring would be next check. It is hard to believe that it was considered to be normal in 2003 as you noted in another post when it started. Whatever problem is it sounds like it's bad enough now it will have to be found if it has not created other damage or problems.
Corvette Stories
The Best of Corvette for Corvette Enthusiasts
Top 10 Most Expensive Corvettes Ever Sold on Bring A Trailer
Brett Foote
10 Things Every Corvette Owner Needs (2026 Edition)
Michael S. Palmer
8 Most "Only Corvette Owners Understand" Quirks and Problems
Pouria Savadkouei
10 Reasons the C6 Z06 is Still A Performance Benchmark After 20 Years
Joe Kucinski
How Much Horsepower Every Corvette Engine "LOST" in 1972
Joe Kucinski
Top 10 DOs and DON'Ts for Protecting Your Convertible Top!
Michael S. Palmer
Top 10 Most Explosive Corvettes Ever Made: Power-to-Weight Ratio Ranked!
Joe Kucinski
150 hp to 1,250 hp: Every Corvette Generation Compared by the Specs That Matter
Joe Kucinski
8 Coolest Corvette Pace Cars (and Replicas) of All Time
Verdad Gallardo
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 787
Likes: 1
From: New Baltimore Michigan
You said the batt. shows black? Its dead dude!!!
Yes It matters you didn't know that? Change your battery before doing anything else
Steve
Yes It matters you didn't know that? Change your battery before doing anything else
Steve
Last edited by machz800ps; Oct 13, 2011 at 03:35 PM.
Racer
Joined: Sep 2011
Posts: 464
Likes: 57
Im not sure if you are the same guy I was reading about before, can you keep all the posts in one thread so its easier to track?
It seems too coincidental that your battery craps out right after the work you did. My money is on a wire short somewhere. Its hard to inspect all the wires with the car put together, so the only way I can think of to get to the bottom of this is start pulling parts off and inspect all the wiring. Something has to be shorting out somewhere.
It seems too coincidental that your battery craps out right after the work you did. My money is on a wire short somewhere. Its hard to inspect all the wires with the car put together, so the only way I can think of to get to the bottom of this is start pulling parts off and inspect all the wiring. Something has to be shorting out somewhere.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 2,220
Likes: 6
From: www.Z16.org North/West Pennsylvania
I see you have an 04, that takes a somewhat different battery than the rest of the Zs. I did lots of research when looking for mine and this is what I came up with. The only one out there that meets or exceeds the factory specifications. DieHard Platnum P-4 size 34/78DT CCA 880 and RC 135 , It's identical to the Odyssey.
Don't just go into a parts place and ask for a battery for a 2004 Z06. You will get the wrong one. Check the CCA and RC.
Gm Battery Specifications for the C5 Corvette
2004 CCA 590 RC 110 Minutes
2003 CCA 500 RC 80 Minutes
2002 CCA 500 RC 80 Minutes
2001 CCA 500 RC 80 Minutes
2000 CCA 600 RC 115 Minutes
1999 CCA 525 RC 90 Minutes
1998 CCA 525 RC 90 Minutes
1997 N/A
Don't just go into a parts place and ask for a battery for a 2004 Z06. You will get the wrong one. Check the CCA and RC.
Gm Battery Specifications for the C5 Corvette
2004 CCA 590 RC 110 Minutes
2003 CCA 500 RC 80 Minutes
2002 CCA 500 RC 80 Minutes
2001 CCA 500 RC 80 Minutes
2000 CCA 600 RC 115 Minutes
1999 CCA 525 RC 90 Minutes
1998 CCA 525 RC 90 Minutes
1997 N/A
Last edited by garage-ghost; Oct 14, 2011 at 03:38 PM. Reason: corrected battery size group
Race Director
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 16,135
Likes: 5
From: Newberry FL
Cruise-In VIII Veteran
St. Jude Donor '07
When I do header installs, I take heat shielding tape and wrap all the wiring near the header tubes. You will be surprised on how those wires will shift under load and driving. I also make absolute sure that nothing is touching the tubes. The battery...are you putting it on cement when you take it out and letting it sit there for hours? That is not good on a battery. Also, all your systems mentioned lead me to believe that it is faulty wiring or the battery. Good luck with your journey in finding out what the issue is. - Micah
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 3,355
Likes: 113
From: Los Angeles
I see you have an 04, that takes a somewhat different battery than the rest of the Zs. I did lots of research when looking for mine and this is what I came up with. The only one out there that meets or exceeds the factory specifications. DieHard Platnum size 75/86DT CCA 880 and RC 135 , It's identical to the Odyssey.
Don't just go into a parts place and ask for a battery for a 2004 Z06. You will get the wrong one. Check the CCA and RC.
Gm Battery Specifications for the C5 Corvette
2004 CCA 590 RC 110 Minutes
2003 CCA 500 RC 80 Minutes
2002 CCA 500 RC 80 Minutes
2001 CCA 500 RC 80 Minutes
2000 CCA 600 RC 115 Minutes
1999 CCA 525 RC 90 Minutes
1998 CCA 525 RC 90 Minutes
1997 N/A
Don't just go into a parts place and ask for a battery for a 2004 Z06. You will get the wrong one. Check the CCA and RC.
Gm Battery Specifications for the C5 Corvette
2004 CCA 590 RC 110 Minutes
2003 CCA 500 RC 80 Minutes
2002 CCA 500 RC 80 Minutes
2001 CCA 500 RC 80 Minutes
2000 CCA 600 RC 115 Minutes
1999 CCA 525 RC 90 Minutes
1998 CCA 525 RC 90 Minutes
1997 N/A
Racer
Joined: Jan 2011
Posts: 353
Likes: 3
From: Houston TX
Funny u mention because I had similar issues both before and after my header install but now I'm almost 100% sure that its my battery I'm getting it tested tomorrow as the car won't even start and before it would take several times or it to start up. Feel free to PM me I believe I can help.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 6,276
Likes: 227
From: Farmington CT
Cruise-In VII Veteran
.
Don't just go into a parts place and ask for a battery for a 2004 Z06. You will get the wrong one. Check the CCA and RC.
Gm Battery Specifications for the C5 Corvette
2004 CCA 590 RC 110 Minutes
2003 CCA 500 RC 80 Minutes
2002 CCA 500 RC 80 Minutes
2001 CCA 500 RC 80 Minutes
2000 CCA 600 RC 115 Minutes
1999 CCA 525 RC 90 Minutes
1998 CCA 525 RC 90 Minutes
1997 N/A
Don't just go into a parts place and ask for a battery for a 2004 Z06. You will get the wrong one. Check the CCA and RC.
Gm Battery Specifications for the C5 Corvette
2004 CCA 590 RC 110 Minutes
2003 CCA 500 RC 80 Minutes
2002 CCA 500 RC 80 Minutes
2001 CCA 500 RC 80 Minutes
2000 CCA 600 RC 115 Minutes
1999 CCA 525 RC 90 Minutes
1998 CCA 525 RC 90 Minutes
1997 N/A
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: Oct 2011
Posts: 27
Likes: 0
From: San Francisco Ca
I will be checking all wires and grounds that were even slightly disturbed during install. Also with my battery seemingly dead with no green illumination of any sort
a new battery is needed. Garage-Ghost thanks for that resourceful GM info, although nothing beats factory anybody opposed to an optima redtop for an 04'? Thats the only battery that comes to mind for a replacement. (will keep posted)
a new battery is needed. Garage-Ghost thanks for that resourceful GM info, although nothing beats factory anybody opposed to an optima redtop for an 04'? Thats the only battery that comes to mind for a replacement. (will keep posted)
Melting Slicks
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 2,220
Likes: 6
From: www.Z16.org North/West Pennsylvania
I will be checking all wires and grounds that were even slightly disturbed during install. Also with my battery seemingly dead with no green illumination of any sort a new battery is needed. Garage-Ghost thanks for that resourceful GM info, although nothing beats factory anybody opposed to an optima redtop for an 04'? Thats the only battery that comes to mind for a replacement. (will keep posted)
a new battery is needed. Garage-Ghost thanks for that resourceful GM info, although nothing beats factory anybody opposed to an optima redtop for an 04'? Thats the only battery that comes to mind for a replacement. (will keep posted)Delco 86-7yr CCA 640 RC 105
Optima RedTop CCA 720 RC 90
Last edited by garage-ghost; Oct 14, 2011 at 03:36 PM.