Lights blinking, engine missing
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 47
Likes: 0
From: Bailey TX
Lights blinking, engine missing
Cranked my 98 today for the first time in several months. Had to jump start. After starting, the lights on it, both interior, instrument and outside lights would blink about every five seconds. They wouldn't go completely out, it would just be like half way lit. Also, headlights would come on, but wouldn't pop up. And last but not least, when the lights blinked, the engine acts like it misses. Would appreciate any help.
Tech Contributor
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 10,962
Likes: 29
From: Van Buren Arkansas
Wounded Warrior Escort '11
Seriously, I couple of months? Did you keep the battery on a trickle charger or similar? If not, then you've probably got a seriously low battery. Measure the battery itself with a meter with the ignition off. You need to see a minimum of 12.5vdc. Anything below that, things will not work.
Safety Car
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 4,237
Likes: 11
From: Lacombe Louisiana
Seriously, I couple of months? Did you keep the battery on a trickle charger or similar? If not, then you've probably got a seriously low battery. Measure the battery itself with a meter with the ignition off. You need to see a minimum of 12.5vdc. Anything below that, things will not work.
Charge or replace that battery and clear codes.Go from there.
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 47
Likes: 0
From: Bailey TX
Thanks for the input. Gonna take the battery down to get it checked out tomorrow. Will get it charged if it's still good. Actually i think it's been about 5-6 weeks since I started it and drove it a little. Will either start disconnecting battery or doing the trickler method. Crazy thing is, this morning I got in my Ford Explorer which is what I use to jump it off with. Cranked fine, started down road to church, ABS light started flashing and looked and my battery was on the L. Drove it back home, which was just a couple of miles away. Put it in park and it went back to normal. Decided to try it again. Same thing. After a couple of miles battery level dropped and warning lights started coming on. Drove it home and shut it off, and that was it. Dead. Wouldn't start. Coincidence? Never had a problem with either of these vehicles and now both are having cranking issues. Guess I will get that battery checked out too.
Tech Contributor
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 10,962
Likes: 29
From: Van Buren Arkansas
Wounded Warrior Escort '11
The fact is with these modern cars and especially the Corvettes, the battery is there for starting only and load surges. The alternator runs the car and slowly recharges the battery. When the battery is dead or near dead, it consumes the available alternator power which makes it nearly impossible for the car to get enough power to run. As suggested, get the battery fully charged, if possible, reinstall it, then go from there. If you still have a problem following the installation of a fully charged battery, pull the codes using the DIC. Don't be surprised if you see low battery faults from the door control modules. Write down the codes, then clear each of them then see if any come back. Pay attention to the "H"s or "C"s with each code.
