I just bought my first C5 a couple weeks ago. It is a 2000 Convertible. I drove it for the first two weeks with out a problem but last weekend I have been having issues.

Out of the blue when driving the following things happen:

DIC Reads:
Service Engine Soon
Reduced Engine Power

Christmas Tree Lights:
Driver airbag indicator
Traction indicator
ABS indicator
Security indicator

Guages:
Fuel gauge goes to empty
Coolant gauge goes to 260
Oil Pressure gague goes to zero
Battery, speed, tach and HUD all STILL WORK

Miscellaneous:
Radio turns off
A/C will not stay on
Cannot roll up or down the passenger window
Keyless entry will not lock or unlock doors to open trunk

This has happened to me several times. Turn the car off and everything works except the passenger window. Sometimes when I start to pull away, it immediately happens again. Sometimes not but window still will not operate. Then there are times when the car has sat and everything works without incident, even the passenger window. The only consistancy is what happens but events and environmental conditions are not.

At first I thought it was an outside temperature thing because it was cool the first two times it happened. Driving down the Interstate yesterday in 90 degree weather and it happened out of the blue.

Today I documented all the codes that were in the DIC. 41 in total. They were all historical. I tried to clear them out to set a new base-line but the codes would not clear when I hit the reset key. I have written all the codes down. The only thing without an error was A1-RDCM.

Anyone ever see anything like this? I have a '91 Convertible that I have owned since 2000 and to date it has probably been overall one of the most dependable cars I have owned. I hope this is not an omen of things to come.

Thanks,
Danny Mc?

 

Yep, many of us have seen this. The cause may be water getting into the computer that is located beneath the passengers floor-board.

Things to do asap.

1) remove the panel above the passenger's feet. If it's flooded, then there is a clogged A/C tube that runs between the firewall and engine. A screw driver or coat hanger can be used to clear it.

2) remove the computer, put it into a plastic bag, and reinstall it.

Good luck, cost me over $700 to have repaired.

 

But you may be really lucky and just need a new battery. That will also cause weird gremlins.

 

Thanks for the feedback! I was going to bring it to the dealership today but I will try these suggestions first and bring it another day if needed. The car probably still has the original factory battery so a new DieHard would not hurt.

As a correction to my post below, A1-RDCM did state "No Comm.". I originally interpreted that as "no problems". When things went screwy again, I pulled up the diagnostic codes while the car was running and all systems said "No Comm."

I figured it was a computer somewhere.

Thanks,
Danny Mc?

 

The a/c drain is located behind the pass. side cylinder head on the firewall behind the y shaped electrical loom. It is actually easier to get to from underneath. It is a 3" inch tube with a 90 degree bend where it sticks onto the nub from the firewall. I personally would not drive the car with the a/c on until this drain is unclogged.While you have it jacked up I would recommend clearing the 3 cowl drain tubes located in the drivers side wheelwell. I took off my front tires and pulled of the lower wheelwell liner behind the tire. THere are 3 drains on the drivers side and 1 drain on the pass side.

Hope this helps.

Scott

 

Check the AC first and make sure the drain is not clogged. Could also be that the Battery is leaking on to your PCM located behind the passenger front wheel. Thsi problem is common and should be covered under warrenty if not tomany miles

 

I went out during lunch and pulled both panels on the passenger side. I pulled the one under the dash and then noticed the two pull latches to remove the panel to get to the computer.

Everything seemed nice and dry in the computer area. I made sure that all connectors were nice and snug.

When I get home, I will see if I can get under there and check the drains. I might be sending some pictures to verify that I am looking in the right place.

Thanks again!

Danny Mc?

 

You might also want to check your ground wires - both ends. These can also cause the symptoms you describe. As for the battery, if it leaked check your cable relly well - they can look OK on the outside but be corroded under the sheathing. FYI - Optima Red Top is the battery most often preferred - they can't leak. Good luck!

 

Same thing happened to my friends 1999FRC. Finally found the problem The passenger side door has a wiring harness that came loose and when he rolled down the window it snagged causing the connector to loosen up and give these problems. The connector can be reached when the door is open. Try moving the harness with your finger on the window button to see if this is the problem. You will have to remove the door panel to resecure the wiring in the door.
Hope this helps

 

Thanks for making me feel better, I'm troubleshooting this:

 

I had a similar situation happen with a '94 Vette I had. Turned out to be a computer going haywire. If the battery checks out, have the computer system checked.