Dimming Headlights
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 2,060
Likes: 46
From: winter haven florida
St. Jude Donor '12
my 2000 frc does the same thing, it has since the day i got it. i have learned one thing about the c5, the electronics are very quirky. very poor quality in that area. if chevy could just fix the electrical problems and the leak problems on the corvette i would never consider buying anything else. this is my 3rd vette and all have leaked. the electrical problems in my c5 have been too numerous to list. the problems started before the leaks so water has nothing to do with it. i love the car but wish the quality was better.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 924
Likes: 161
From: Atwater CA
2024 C7 of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
Mine does this, too. I notice it also when you roll the windows up to the top and that split second between when it closes and you remove your finger from the button. I think it is normal, but I have it on my list to clean the ground connections see http://forums.corvetteforum.com/showthread.php?t=896875
Pro
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 538
Likes: 0
From: Edmond Ok
Originally Posted by Roeich
My headlights dim when I tap the brake pedal, or whenever they feel like it. Anyone know why? Or at least a guess? Thanks (car is a 2000 vert)
My comment on the "whenever they feel like it". Mine has a voltage drop when the A.I.R. pump kicks in. This is a emmissions control pump that pumps air into the manifold until certain temperatures rise above a set point. If you listen carefully and watch you voltage you can hear when the pump starts and stops.
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Le Mans Master
Joined: Feb 2002
Posts: 6,937
Likes: 21
From: Waldorf MD
Originally Posted by ronwc
Mine used to do this - cleaned and tighten battery connections took care of it -
Check your battery terminals, if you can move them by hand they are too loose. Only tighten them to torque specs (11 ft-lbs), as overtighthening side terminal batteries is the major cause of them leaking and your computer and wiring harness is under the battery!
Last edited by Oldvetter; May 25, 2006 at 10:41 AM.
Safety Car
Joined: Sep 2000
Posts: 3,604
Likes: 394
From: Austin, TX
Originally Posted by 2000FRCZ19
my 2000 frc does the same thing, it has since the day i got it. i have learned one thing about the c5, the electronics are very quirky. very poor quality in that area. if chevy could just fix the electrical problems and the leak problems on the corvette i would never consider buying anything else. this is my 3rd vette and all have leaked. the electrical problems in my c5 have been too numerous to list. the problems started before the leaks so water has nothing to do with it. i love the car but wish the quality was better.
Racer
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 426
Likes: 0
From: Northern Virginia
low voltage consequences
My 97 does the same thing, you do have to just smile and step on the weee pedal
It did occure to me though the the inconsistant voltage and the steering column lock disaster could be linked. The column lock is much more prone to malfunction when the voltage is low.
Thats how it happened to me, for some reason, I had low voltage after a track session, went straight to the pits opened my hood (the hood light drained the battery a little more), let it cool as I loaded the car up(interior lights on), then shut everything up went to have BBQ, and then could start my car to get home but couldn't turn the wheel!!!!!! The BMW's & Porshes I had been passing all day were waving good bye as I went home
I think the electrical drops cause alot of the problems. My solution was to get rid of the bargian basement battery (eventhough it was new). Also a steering column lock bypass.
It did occure to me though the the inconsistant voltage and the steering column lock disaster could be linked. The column lock is much more prone to malfunction when the voltage is low.
Thats how it happened to me, for some reason, I had low voltage after a track session, went straight to the pits opened my hood (the hood light drained the battery a little more), let it cool as I loaded the car up(interior lights on), then shut everything up went to have BBQ, and then could start my car to get home but couldn't turn the wheel!!!!!! The BMW's & Porshes I had been passing all day were waving good bye as I went home
I think the electrical drops cause alot of the problems. My solution was to get rid of the bargian basement battery (eventhough it was new). Also a steering column lock bypass.
Last edited by dmiz0420; Jun 8, 2006 at 12:08 PM.