Electrical issues, key fob, security, non start?
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 1,989
Likes: 1,328
From: Des Plaines, Il
Electrical issues, key fob, security, non start?
Im having electrical gremlins with my 99 FRC.
For awhile now my vette has been "forgetting" my fob. IE It'll be working fine and then just stop. I resynch via the lock/unlock method and it'll work immediately again. Then a day or a week later it'll stop working again.
So last night I was driving home from work and noticed the security light was on and stayed on. Thats weird.
Come into work, no light but I go to lunch and come out to start the car. Security light is on and car wont even turn over. The battery voltage looks normal. Try it a few times, wait awhile and try it again. Now the security light is one and its turning over but it wont "catch" Just VRooom and dead. try this a few times, pop the hood and look at the fuses. nothing wrong. Try again and it starts up fine.
Any idea on what is going on?
For awhile now my vette has been "forgetting" my fob. IE It'll be working fine and then just stop. I resynch via the lock/unlock method and it'll work immediately again. Then a day or a week later it'll stop working again.
So last night I was driving home from work and noticed the security light was on and stayed on. Thats weird.
Come into work, no light but I go to lunch and come out to start the car. Security light is on and car wont even turn over. The battery voltage looks normal. Try it a few times, wait awhile and try it again. Now the security light is one and its turning over but it wont "catch" Just VRooom and dead. try this a few times, pop the hood and look at the fuses. nothing wrong. Try again and it starts up fine.
Any idea on what is going on?
Tech Contributor
Joined: Dec 1999
Posts: 32,910
Likes: 2,402
From: Anthony TX
CI 6,7,8,9,11 Vet
St. Jude Donor '08
For what it's worth, pull up all of your DTC Codes in the DIC. Most all of what your having problems with is monitored and if there is an issue, should set some codes. I had some extremely weird issues like your having with my 98 MN6 coupe!
I had a wet BCM, bad grounds and a very weak battery! I bet you have a bunch of "U" series codes (loss of comms)!
Once you read and list all of the codes, clear them and see if any receient code reappear when the issue happens.
BC
I had a wet BCM, bad grounds and a very weak battery! I bet you have a bunch of "U" series codes (loss of comms)!
Once you read and list all of the codes, clear them and see if any receient code reappear when the issue happens.
BC
Burning Brakes
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 889
Likes: 0
From: DFW tx
I had the security issue. The key cylinder reads the resistance of the pellet on the key and allows the car to start. If it fails to read the resistance, it will disable the starter. The security light on the dash will flash and you have to wait 5 minutes before it will let you start it again.
In my case, I had to have the key cylinder replaced. You can try cleaning the key and the cylinder, and using your spare set of keys to see if it helps. Like Bill said, pull the codes, they usually point to the exact issue.
I know you said your battery is new. Did you check for corrosion on the positive terminal cables or any sign of acid leaking in the past? My FOB started acting up and I was constantly re-syncing it. After a few days, I popped the hood and acid was starting to leak from the battery. Pulled everything apart, cleaned it up with acid neutralizer -- wires, pcm, etc. and replaced the battery with an Optima. Worked great after that.
In my case, I had to have the key cylinder replaced. You can try cleaning the key and the cylinder, and using your spare set of keys to see if it helps. Like Bill said, pull the codes, they usually point to the exact issue.
I know you said your battery is new. Did you check for corrosion on the positive terminal cables or any sign of acid leaking in the past? My FOB started acting up and I was constantly re-syncing it. After a few days, I popped the hood and acid was starting to leak from the battery. Pulled everything apart, cleaned it up with acid neutralizer -- wires, pcm, etc. and replaced the battery with an Optima. Worked great after that.
Safety Car
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 4,275
Likes: 4
From: Vancouver WA
I have been getting the security light on the last two day myself. And it has came on in the past too, but so far hasn't caused any problem. I am thinking of taking it to the dealer and have them look at it since I have an ext warranty.
Advanced
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 72
Likes: 0
From: Homer NY
A good possibility is the ignition switch..It is basically the same as the passenger cars. I had various tbl's with my sons Malibu and it was the ignition switch, I've noticed on the forum that vet owners have experienced similar problems. 
