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C5 corvette electronics going crazy... And won't start

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Old Jan 25, 2015 | 09:03 AM
  #21  
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Low voltage can cause a relay to buzz as it tries to do it's job. It can cause the relay to fry itself to death. You could have affected one or two like the TDR that will cause the car to not start. Need to identify which relays are doing this and tell us.

Have you checked your connections at the starter? Loose, bad wire crimps, etc.

If you want I can provide guidance on how to jumper around the TDR circuit to crank the car and see if it will run.
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Old Jan 25, 2015 | 11:03 AM
  #22  
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Ok so I charged it all night. I let it sit for about 10 minutes, then hooked it back up to the charger, and it said it was still charging, so I questioned that.


I then went and got my volt meter, and as soon as I unhooked it from the charger it was reading 12.05 and quickly fell back down to 11.95. Not sure if that is a big deal or not. I've yet to hook it up to my car yet
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Old Jan 25, 2015 | 11:06 AM
  #23  
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Originally Posted by wardamncorvette
Ok so I charged it all night. I let it sit for about 10 minutes, then hooked it back up to the charger, and it said it was still charging, so I questioned that.


I then went and got my volt meter, and as soon as I unhooked it from the charger it was reading 12.05 and quickly fell back down to 11.95. Not sure if that is a big deal or not. I've yet to hook it up to my car yet
Voltage will drop after disconnecting from charger. When it stays around 12.6 then its close to fully charged. How many amps is the charger?
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Old Jan 25, 2015 | 11:08 AM
  #24  
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Originally Posted by JR-01
Voltage will drop after disconnecting from charger. When it stays around 12.6 then its close to fully charged. How many amps is the charger?
1.5amps
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Old Jan 25, 2015 | 11:12 AM
  #25  
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Originally Posted by wardamncorvette
1.5amps
OK it's going to take awhile to charge the battery. Is it an automatic charger. If so leave it on until it shows fully charged.
How old is the battery?
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Old Jan 25, 2015 | 11:15 AM
  #26  
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Originally Posted by JR-01
OK it's going to take awhile to charge the battery. Is it automatic. If so leave it on until it shows fully charged.
It showed fully charged when I checked it this morning. Had the green light and said fully charged.
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Old Jan 25, 2015 | 11:17 AM
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Originally Posted by wardamncorvette
It showed fully charged when I check it this morning. Had the green light and said fully charged.
OK. Maybe it's time to give it a shot. See if it will start.
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Old Jan 25, 2015 | 11:17 AM
  #28  
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Battery was bought new in July of last year
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Old Jan 25, 2015 | 11:22 AM
  #29  
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Originally Posted by wardamncorvette
Battery was bought new in July of last year
OK give it a try and see what happens. Make sure cables are clean and tight but do not overtighten.
I am leaving for awhile but I would like to know how it works out. Keep us posted.
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Old Jan 25, 2015 | 11:55 AM
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Ok. Car started.


As soon as I cranked it battery voltage on the dash was 10.5. Quickly dropped to 9.7 with the red light saying check gauges and low voltage message.


I then checked voltage on the back of the alternator... It was 3.224-3.300.
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Old Jan 25, 2015 | 11:57 AM
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Originally Posted by JR-01
OK give it a try and see what happens. Make sure cables are clean and tight but do not overtighten.
I am leaving for awhile but I would like to know how it works out. Keep us posted.
Thank you and everyone else for your help. This forum is a great place
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Old Jan 25, 2015 | 12:01 PM
  #32  
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they are ultra voltage sensitive. I had my battery tested at multiple places and one said it was clearly bad and the other two said it was just undercharged. The 2 were wrong (for a C5). What a normal car can take for voltage variations the C5 can't. A battery that is 80 percent good will work fine on most cars but won't on ours.

I keep mine on a trickle charger. Another tip if is if it sits for more than a couple days.... turn on the key and let everything fully cycle. after all the noises stop crank the car. It starts better like that after sitting.
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Old Jan 25, 2015 | 12:01 PM
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Now I have battery back on trickle charger. Trying to figure out my next move. I know a lot of people have issues buying alternators. Not sure If I should get this one rebuilt... Or if that's even the issue. I've already replace the voltage regulator and brushes in it this week..
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Old Jan 25, 2015 | 12:15 PM
  #34  
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Does this even mean it's my alternator?
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Old Jan 25, 2015 | 12:23 PM
  #35  
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Did the car start and run after you trickle charged it over night?

Did the electronics look normal if it did start?

If it were me, I'd take a hour drive with the lights on, then shut it off and try to start it. If it starts, let the car set over night and see what happens in the morning.
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Old Jan 25, 2015 | 12:59 PM
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Originally Posted by Phanni
Did the car start and run after you trickle charged it over night?

Did the electronics look normal if it did start?

If it were me, I'd take a hour drive with the lights on, then shut it off and try to start it. If it starts, let the car set over night and see what happens in the morning.
Yes car started and ran until I turned it off.


Electronics and everything finally looked normal.



Car was running at about 9.7volts (said on dash ) before I cut it off. I don't think I'd make it very far if I tried to drive it like this
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Old Jan 25, 2015 | 01:08 PM
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Have the battery load tested. After fully charging battery--- if below 12.6 volts with nothing connected to it-the battery is bad.

You said in an earlier post that your old battery was below 12 volts disconnected and just charged. No way in the world is that battery good.

A good battery, just charged and without being connected ,should have a surface charge of more than 12.6 volts.

Replace battery. Buy a new AGM battery with at least 700CCA rating with at least 120 minutes RC . And then charge the new battery for 24 hours before installing in the Corvette.

Last edited by phoneman91; Jan 26, 2015 at 01:23 AM.
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Old Jan 25, 2015 | 01:48 PM
  #38  
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Go AGM. Your ECM is below the battery and AGMs wont leak. If you have a bad alternator that could have ruined your battery. Quit messing around with a bad alternator and get a good one from NAPA. Stay away from Auto Zone and Orlieys.They sell garbage rebuilt parts. However you need to check the wiring first. The power at the batt term on the alternator should be the same as the battery. There may be no connection between the two.
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Old Jan 25, 2015 | 02:55 PM
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Anybody know the voltage the red wire that.connects to the battery should be at? What about everything else?
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Old Jan 25, 2015 | 02:57 PM
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Is a Napa remanufactured alternator ok? Or should I only buy the new one?
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