Hi guys

I'm new to the forum and like what I see here.

I hope someone can help me. I bought a red 2001 Z06 with 34,000 miles on it 9 days ago. On thanksgiving day the thing kinda 'freaked out' on me. The problem seems to start with the passenger side auto door locks and windows stop working. Neither the passenger side or the drivers side controls will make them function. Shortly thereafter the stereo cuts out and most of the guages flatline except for the speedometer and maybe the rpm guage. When this occurs the digital message display gives me three error messages: "reduced engine power", "low fuel", and "service engine soon". The engine performance doesn't seem to be affected at all despite the warning on the display. Even my traction control light and the ABS light on my instrument panel come on. It's like my whole instrument panel takes a dump on me. When I turn off the vehicle and re-start it, the problem seems to go away except for the passenger side window issue, it takes a few more minutes to come back on-line. I've driven the thing around a bunch in the short time I've had it and this problem has happened twice. It's under warranty, but when I took it back to the dealer today he didn't want to even look at it because he said I have to bring it in when the problem is occuring and only engin items are covered

I raised a little hell and told him to hook it up to the computer to see if any diagnostic codes were in the computer. He said it doesn't store codes that it has to say service engine soon when you hook it up to the computer. BS I say, but there were no codes in the computer when he hooked it up and I really don't know what to do next to find out what could be causing this problem. I drove it a fair amount today and had no problems but I know it's only a matter of time before this happens again. Sorry to ramble on, but do you guys have any idea what could be causind this problem??????????? Thanks

Uzi

 

Hate To Hear You Are Having Electrical Problems. I Had Same Type Of Problems On My 01-z06. Have Your Battery
Checked For Shorted Cells. Also Check Your Ground Connections Around The Battery Terminals. Hope This Puts You On The Right Track To Solving The Problem
Good Luck.

 

Hi Uzi -

Sounds like the classic weak battery syndrome.

Have it tested at autozone or O'Reilly's etc, and if it's weak get an Optima.

best regards -

mqqn

 

I agree. The C5 does all sorts of weird things when the battery is low and many have had their cars do something freaky as a result. Mine had a low battery as I was doing work on it for the UK conversion. It started by stopping all the electric door locks and memeory controls working, then told me to service the traction control and active handling. Recharging the battery restored it to it's normal self.

Also check the main earth connector as it can corrode. Worth checking it anyway and spraying it with some corrosion inhibitor.

 

Thats what happen to me when my stock battery went low. Error on traction and few more. After I charged my battery, error disappear then come back again when battery get low again. Finally get an optima and problem was solve. Hope that it was same problem you are having.GL

 

And if you want to check all the codes that get stored in the DIC follow these provedures.

http://www.stengel.net/diccodes.htm

Tom

 

It does sound like a low battery problem. However, it could be something other than the battery which is contributing to the weak battery or keeping the charge from flowing.
Until you are certain about the problem make a detailed note of the date, time, name of person, and conversation with your dealer. It is possible it could act up again after the warranty has expired, and you should still be covered. Also make detailed notes of the dates and conditions when it acts up, such as cold or hot engine, weather conditions, etc. as this could help with the diagnosis.
The service rep is actually doing you a favor to warn you ahead of time that it needs to be acting up to be diagnosed. Most places charge for the computer work even if nothing is found.
So have the battery checked first, then the electrical system, and take notes. Good luck.

 

Thanks for the input guys. I hope the battery is all it is. I'm gonna document my issues with the car and my conversations with the dealer.

I guess I see a new battery in my future

Uzi

 

Thanks for the codes!

Uzi

 

get the deep cycle battery. Also you might want to look at this link.
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/showthread.php?t=896875

 

Probly the battery. My traction control and ABS acted-up and it turned out to be the battery.

 

Wow! You must be like a God in the UK driving a ZO6

 

I don't know, they're pretty common round here since my friend imported a torch red 03 Z06 as well. LOL. Still, now you mention it..

 

Super informative link. I had no idea these vehicles were that sensative to a battery problem.

Uzi

 

Wierd I had the same thing happen on my 02 a day before thanksgiving. I stopped in at a gas ststion and the battery took a dump with no warning. It was doing the same thing. I put a Optima Redtop in and that seemed to do the trick.

 

Thanks for all the input guys. Looks like it was a weak battery. When I tried to start the car after not driving it for two days the battery was dead. I just put in an optima red top and so far so good.

Uzi

 

Hi Uzi -

Glad to hear you got it worked out!

best regards -

mqqn