Electrical Problem or Battery?
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Electrical Problem or Battery?
While sitting in my C5 with the engine off, and the driver's door open, the DIC showed a "low voltage" warning. Then the DIC displayed a reading of 8.9 volts. I closed the driver's door and the voltage went up a bit. I started the car and the voltage read 14.1. Then the voltage reading began to swing rapidly between the low 13s and the mid 14s. It continued to do this for the next couple of minutes until I shut down the engine.
Last week I had a problem with the headlights not coming up when turning them on. I had to turn the switch on and off several times. Eventually the lights came up. Could these problems be related? Could this indicate an electrical problem or a bad battery? Any information would be appreciated.
Thanks
O.L.
Last week I had a problem with the headlights not coming up when turning them on. I had to turn the switch on and off several times. Eventually the lights came up. Could these problems be related? Could this indicate an electrical problem or a bad battery? Any information would be appreciated.
Thanks
O.L.
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Joined: May 2001
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From: Dear Karma, I have a list of people you missed.
St. Jude Donor '08-'09-'10-'11-'12-'13-'14-'15-'16
Sounds more like intermittent opens or poor grounds; or both. Check stickies and do a search regarding grounds.
HTH,
Robert
HTH,
Robert
Cruising
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From: Centerville Oh
Gremlins
Old Lt., had the almost the same problem/symptoms a couple weeks ago. Found the middle connector on control module (think that's the name) in driver door was just a little loose. Pushed it in very firmly and all OK since. Voltage wasn't quite as los as yours (about 10 volts sometimes) but very similar.
Banned Scam/Spammer
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From: Simi Valley CA
Sounds to me like your battery has a shorted cell. With the car running, the voltage picks up (good alt.). The reason is goes up/down is because the excessive current draw on the alt. is too much. The built in regulator is cycling.
As for both problems being related, fix the battery problem first. Then see what happens. Low voltage does funny things.
As for both problems being related, fix the battery problem first. Then see what happens. Low voltage does funny things.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Sep 2004
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From: Los Angeles
Originally Posted by Todd157k
Sounds to me like your battery has a shorted cell. With the car running, the voltage picks up (good alt.). The reason is goes up/down is because the excessive current draw on the alt. is too much. The built in regulator is cycling.
As for both problems being related, fix the battery problem first. Then see what happens. Low voltage does funny things.
As for both problems being related, fix the battery problem first. Then see what happens. Low voltage does funny things.
I'll second that opinion.
