I have a 2001 Z06 that has been having strange issues just prior to putting it away for the winter. While driving at random times I would get a "reduced power" message on the instrument cluster. When this happened all lights come on and radio shuts down, however no driveability issues come into play, car is still under full power. Turning the car off, removing key and restarting 2-3 times usually takes care of the issue for a while. Will also get random messages regarding security, active handling and traction control.When the car was hooked up to a scanner we got several codes regarding communication with multiple systems and it was suggested the cluster itself may be bad. It was mentioned to me that this was an issue with these cars, anyone hear of this before. Lastly, I needed to move the car out of the garage recently so I connected the battery and started it up. After letting it warm up a bit, as it was 11degrees out, it would stall when I released clutch and attempted to move it, it did this still after running in the driveway trouble free for over an hour. Any help you guys can offer is appreciated.

 

Troubleshooting for any electrical issues should begin with the battery, alternator, and grounds. What's your battery voltage reading right after starting the car? If it's too low, it could be causing most of your issues.

 

Check the wiring in between the door and body of car, you have to move the rubber grommet wrapped around the wires. Same exact issues with my '02 z06 and my fathers '00 coupe.

In my case the wires were shorting out on the body.

 

The fact that you stated removing and restarting the car sometime, cures or helps. I really think the contacts on your ignition switch are burnt. If all grounds and battery are good. I'd really lean toward replacing or repairing the ignition switch. I had several problems when my ignition switch went bad. My car too went into reduced power mode, I got several error messages, traction control.. Pull key wait 10 secs...etc.

Link to ignition switch repair. Takes about 2 hours.

http://forums.corvetteforum.com/c5-t...ch-repair.html

 

Thanks everyone, I've had more responses in one day here than in two weeks a different forum that claims to be the "best". I put a couple pics in the garage, it's stock right now only a few slight cosmetic changes but the pics are prior to those.

 

I had an '01 Z06 that did basically the same thing. Check your voltage at the battery. Low voltage plays havoc with the car. I understand the purpose of disconecting the battery but I am a firm believer in keeping a battery tender hooked up year round. Sounds also alot like the column lock security feature which from my experience was effected by, guess what, low voltage. Good luck. Looking forward to hearing what solves the issue for you.

 

I forgot to mention, I've owned several C5's (verts, coupes and Z06's) and have experienced all kinds of sporadic messages, all of which were corrected with a full battery charge.

 

New battery in, thought everything was running great, then the POS did it to me again. Happened 3 times during a 2 hour run through it's paces. Not nearly as often as it used to, but still happening. Next suggestions please!! I've heard people mention grounds, where should I be checking?

 

What exactly does your car do when you start it or the problem starts.
Does do Dash or DIC do weird things?

 

Here is the thread to the Chassis grounds, and other Electrical known problems.

http://forums.corvetteforum.com/c5-t...tion-long.html

 

If DIC is the the cluster then what it does is send random messages, sometimes all alerts will light up and it will say" reduced engine power".
Other messages are "low voltage" "service vehicle soon" and " service active suspension/handling" no actual drivability issues come up just the warnings and I lose radio and climate control.

 

Did you check the wires (between the door) like I suggested ? EXACT same thing with my Z06 and 00 Coupe

 

Have you fixed the steering column lock? There is a issue with it reducing power if not properly fixed. Alot of times by cycling the key on and the turning it off for 10 seconds will correct the problem temporarily but often comes back. It has to do with the steering lock engagement solenoid sending a engagement signal to the computer when its not engaged. GM went back and forth on the proper method to fix this issue but ended up requireing a replacement of the solenoid which was often not doen to many c5s due to having the earlier "solutions" being done prior. As far as your traction control system warning how do your tires look? Its not uncommon for yoru rear tires to wear much faster than your fronts and flip the traction control light or "warm up" light. Just a couple ideas.

 

After dissassembly and cleaning of the two ground plug connectors by each headlight and applying a generous amount of dielectric grease, the issues seem to be resolved. 45 minute drive to work this morning, no warning lights, no messages and passenger door controls at full function.
Again, thanks all for the help. I'll keep you all updated if the problem recurs.

 

I would still check the door harness.

 

I think the way the grounds are setup on these cars is horrible. I don't know if it's the metal used (copper?), or just that they aren't sealed from the elements which is leaving them prone to corrosion...but either way I see a lot of issues with C5's that I believe to be associated with the poor design if the grounding set up. I plan on removing the grounding blocks and changing how the cars grounds are set up.

 

Yeah, this is the problem, I think. Plus, some guys clean their engine compartment with a power washer!

Metal oxides don't conduct electricity like bare metal does.

 

I slid the grommet out and checked as much as I could without getting too deep into it. Either jarred it around and got it working(temporarily) or it was part of the battery/ground issue.