Help..problems with new C5!
Thread Starter
5th Gear
Joined: Jul 2011
Posts: 5
Likes: 0
From: Alabama
Help..problems with new C5!
Hey guys. Im new to the forum and a new owner of a 97 C5 vette. The car has a few problems with it that Im not sure how to exactly pin point, so Im hoping I can get some help on here. Heres whats wrong:
First off, the turn signals dont work. Theres no clicking or indicators that come on when they are engaged( nothing happens). Also the tail lights only come on when the brakes are pressed. Theres no running lights or anything. The headlights do not pop up automatically. I have to put them up manually( possibly the motor or could be tied in with my other issues). High and low beams do work . I also noticed that if I have my headlights on high beam the car will not crank( they have to be on low beam). But if switched to high beam while the car is running everything works fine. All the interior gauges function perfectly. I was thinking that fuses could be my problem, but I checked all of them today and they all seemed to be fine. Im just trying to find somewhere to start. Any help will be greatly appreciated. Thanks.
First off, the turn signals dont work. Theres no clicking or indicators that come on when they are engaged( nothing happens). Also the tail lights only come on when the brakes are pressed. Theres no running lights or anything. The headlights do not pop up automatically. I have to put them up manually( possibly the motor or could be tied in with my other issues). High and low beams do work . I also noticed that if I have my headlights on high beam the car will not crank( they have to be on low beam). But if switched to high beam while the car is running everything works fine. All the interior gauges function perfectly. I was thinking that fuses could be my problem, but I checked all of them today and they all seemed to be fine. Im just trying to find somewhere to start. Any help will be greatly appreciated. Thanks.
Racer
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 445
Likes: 0
From: Woodbridge Ontario
Turn signals - the issue is likely connected to your hazard lights. I had a similar issue earlier in the year. Try turning your hazard lights on, do they work? If so, turn them off and then try your turn signals. If they work now, chances are you have some dirty terminals at or near the hazard switch which need to be cleaned. Instead of removing the switch, another forum member recommended I use electrical contact cleaner and spray it into the crevices around the switch. Dont saturate it too much and make sure you have a towel handy to clean up any drips. If they dont work after engaging the switch, you likely have bad corrosion issues. common c5 problem. I'd try the spray, engage the hazards, turn off and try signals. repeat a couple of times, if no success you will likely have to remove the switch to clean it proper.
I would start here, not sure if the other issues are related but its definitely worth starting at the hazard switch and then working your way around to the rest of the issues if they still remain.
I would start here, not sure if the other issues are related but its definitely worth starting at the hazard switch and then working your way around to the rest of the issues if they still remain.
Intermediate
Joined: May 2011
Posts: 29
Likes: 0
I have a similar problem with my 2000! The headlights will not close if they are on low beam (i have to put them on high beam to get them to close). The car is 11 yr old but there are only 17k miles on it. I don't get it. I have the exact same turn signal problem as you but it is intermittent. Do you by any chance have HID headlights installed? I had the car for a couple weeks then installed the HIDs. I don't remember having any issues at all before the install but then again I only had it for a couple weeks and only drove it a couple times before I installed them. I also hear a strain on power when the turn signals do come on. would that be an alternator? The car is clean as a whistle and I don't see ANY spots where there are corrosion or anything like that.
Thread Starter
5th Gear
Joined: Jul 2011
Posts: 5
Likes: 0
From: Alabama
Since your fuses are okay, I would check all your ground connections, take them apart and wire brush all lug terminals.
Where are the different ground connections located? does anyone have a wiring diagram or know where I can find one?
Where are the different ground connections located? does anyone have a wiring diagram or know where I can find one?
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Drifting
Joined: Jul 2002
Posts: 1,329
Likes: 8
From: Corpus Christi Tx.
I have a similar problem with my 2000! The headlights will not close if they are on low beam (i have to put them on high beam to get them to close). The car is 11 yr old but there are only 17k miles on it. I don't get it. I have the exact same turn signal problem as you but it is intermittent. Do you by any chance have HID headlights installed? I had the car for a couple weeks then installed the HIDs. I don't remember having any issues at all before the install but then again I only had it for a couple weeks and only drove it a couple times before I installed them. I also hear a strain on power when the turn signals do come on. would that be an alternator? The car is clean as a whistle and I don't see ANY spots where there are corrosion or anything like that.
http://shop.jwmotoring.com/product.s...8&categoryId=4
C5 Low Beam Inline Resistor
opening and closing when using HID lights. Requires the use of 20 amp fuses to work properly. You only need to order 1 per vehicle. Ships next day via USPS FCM.
Installation Instructions Here
Resolves most if not all the HID Light Issues best $25.00 I have spent on my Vette !