2001 with some issues...need some direction
Thread Starter
Heel & Toe
Joined: Apr 2014
Posts: 17
Likes: 0
2001 with some issues...need some direction
So my son has just moved back to Chicago from Dallas. On the drive up he said the car indicated a low voltage warning and then died shortly (5-10 minutes) thereafter, luckily in a Walmart parking lot in St. Louis. Put in a new battery, made it the rest of the way.
Seems to me that even with a low/dead battery, the car would continue to run as long as the alternator was working???
So yesterday I checked the system voltage, 13.32 w/car running, no accessories. 13.19 w/ A/C, lights, and radio on. I have always experienced 14+ so this seems low to me??? What is normal for these vehicles?
Also, has the following indicators :
Service ABS
Service Active Handling
Service Traction System
He says that these have been on for a few months, but the car was working OK, and he didn't have time to do anything about it. I checked fuses, all ok.
I'm a DIY guy but never owned a corvette and am not familiar with the electronics which may be unique to this vehicle. Any help would be appreciated.
Paul
Seems to me that even with a low/dead battery, the car would continue to run as long as the alternator was working???
So yesterday I checked the system voltage, 13.32 w/car running, no accessories. 13.19 w/ A/C, lights, and radio on. I have always experienced 14+ so this seems low to me??? What is normal for these vehicles?
Also, has the following indicators :
Service ABS
Service Active Handling
Service Traction System
He says that these have been on for a few months, but the car was working OK, and he didn't have time to do anything about it. I checked fuses, all ok.
I'm a DIY guy but never owned a corvette and am not familiar with the electronics which may be unique to this vehicle. Any help would be appreciated.
Paul
Instructor
Joined: Sep 2012
Posts: 156
Likes: 9
From: Sprint Car Territory
I have a 2001. I would probably check the alternator if I were you. My car usually shows between 13.8 and 14 on the digital dash. I had a problem with my wife's Camaro a few years ago. It did not run very long with a bad alternator. But your son had no problems after the new battery. But I would check the alternator just to eliminate it as the problem. Hope this helps.
The Outlaw
The Outlaw
Thread Starter
Heel & Toe
Joined: Apr 2014
Posts: 17
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I have a 2001. I would probably check the alternator if I were you. My car usually shows between 13.8 and 14 on the digital dash. I had a problem with my wife's Camaro a few years ago. It did not run very long with a bad alternator. But your son had no problems after the new battery. But I would check the alternator just to eliminate it as the problem. Hope this helps.
The Outlaw
The Outlaw
Would low system voltage cause the other "Service" notifications?
Thread Starter
Heel & Toe
Joined: Apr 2014
Posts: 17
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You need to pull and post your codes to know what the ABS, Traction and Active Handling lights are all about. There are more than a dozen different codes that can cause those lights to illuminate. If you have never pulled codes on a C5 here is how to do it:
OR
http://www.c5forum.com/ayc/dtcdic.php
Include the H or C or HC that follow each 5 character code. List the codes under the sensor they are related to. ie 10 - PCM or 28 - TCS or 40 - BCM etc.....
OR
http://www.c5forum.com/ayc/dtcdic.php
Include the H or C or HC that follow each 5 character code. List the codes under the sensor they are related to. ie 10 - PCM or 28 - TCS or 40 - BCM etc.....
Thread Starter
Heel & Toe
Joined: Apr 2014
Posts: 17
Likes: 0
You may not have seen the edit I did to my post.
Where did you check the voltage at??
The alternator or the battery??
You really need to check both places. There are connection points that may have corrosion or loose bolts between the alternator and the battery that can reduce the value seen at the battery. Specifically the bolt at the starter is between the alternator and the battery and it is not uncommon for that connection to get corrosion or the bolt to loosen.
Where did you check the voltage at??
The alternator or the battery??
You really need to check both places. There are connection points that may have corrosion or loose bolts between the alternator and the battery that can reduce the value seen at the battery. Specifically the bolt at the starter is between the alternator and the battery and it is not uncommon for that connection to get corrosion or the bolt to loosen.
Thread Starter
Heel & Toe
Joined: Apr 2014
Posts: 17
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So it took a while, but he just pulled the codes:
P0562H
P1518H
P1571H
P1637H
P1638H
C1214HC
C1236H
C1248H
C1277H
C1293H
B2282H
B2284H
U1064H
ok, so the first one P0562 is low system voltage, but it is "H". Does that H mean that low system voltage is not a current alternator problem?
Also, how can these codes be cleared?
Thanks, Paul
P0562H
P1518H
P1571H
P1637H
P1638H
C1214HC
C1236H
C1248H
C1277H
C1293H
B2282H
B2284H
U1064H
ok, so the first one P0562 is low system voltage, but it is "H". Does that H mean that low system voltage is not a current alternator problem?
Also, how can these codes be cleared?
Thanks, Paul
Last edited by Zonian60; Aug 30, 2015 at 05:16 PM. Reason: deleted duplicate codes
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Pro
Joined: Jul 2014
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From: Allenspark Colorado
My battery died last year and a few months after replacing it, my traction control lights came on and haven't turned off since. I also checked codes and found the 1214HC --- I checked all grounds, unplugged the EBCM module and made sure everything was clean and plugged back in right and it still wouldn't reset/clear.
It does not affect the driving but obviously ABS and Traction control won't work. I put new rear tires on which has helped with traction in general but I do plan on sending the module off to get fixed at some point over the winter.
Sounds like minimum $150 fix or $400 for a re-fubished unit (or $600 for a new unit). Oh well, the price we pay to ride in style
It does not affect the driving but obviously ABS and Traction control won't work. I put new rear tires on which has helped with traction in general but I do plan on sending the module off to get fixed at some point over the winter.
Sounds like minimum $150 fix or $400 for a re-fubished unit (or $600 for a new unit). Oh well, the price we pay to ride in style
Thread Starter
Heel & Toe
Joined: Apr 2014
Posts: 17
Likes: 0
You originally posted that the voltage was at 13.32 measured at the battery with no accessories running. I suggested testing at the alternator since there are connections between the alternator and battery that could cause the voltage to be lower at the battery. (it should be higher than 13.3 with engine running measured at the battery)
If you can, recheck voltage at BOTH the alternator and battery and post results as well as the other items i suggested in post # 11.
Paul
Thread Starter
Heel & Toe
Joined: Apr 2014
Posts: 17
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Might be as simple as worn brushes but measure it first. Also need to get the proper Corvette alternator if you do replace it. Generic replacements can result in chronic charge system fault messages. If you have availability of a good rebuild shop for starters and alternators that is the road I would take if replacement is needed.
Thread Starter
Heel & Toe
Joined: Apr 2014
Posts: 17
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OK, so I was able to work on the vette a little yesterday.
First had to reconnect the linkage for the DS headlamp that somehow had come undone, so it wasn't coming up...it was missing the nut. That took about 2 hours, so I ran out of time to do much more.
Cleared the codes; we'll see which ones come back on after he drives it a bit.
Did a few quick checks on the electrical issues
Voltage at the alternator=14.41
Voltage at the battery=13.65 w/o any accessories running
14.41 looks good to me, so it doesn't look like an alternator problem after all, correct? Should there be that much voltage loss from alternator output to battery?
I didn't get a chance to inspect/clean/tighten any of the connections, but I presume that would be my next move.
Also, a new problem. The parking brake does not work correctly. It goes up, down, the light comes on, etc...it just won't ratchet and stay engaged.
First had to reconnect the linkage for the DS headlamp that somehow had come undone, so it wasn't coming up...it was missing the nut. That took about 2 hours, so I ran out of time to do much more.
Cleared the codes; we'll see which ones come back on after he drives it a bit.
Did a few quick checks on the electrical issues
Voltage at the alternator=14.41
Voltage at the battery=13.65 w/o any accessories running
14.41 looks good to me, so it doesn't look like an alternator problem after all, correct? Should there be that much voltage loss from alternator output to battery?
I didn't get a chance to inspect/clean/tighten any of the connections, but I presume that would be my next move.
Also, a new problem. The parking brake does not work correctly. It goes up, down, the light comes on, etc...it just won't ratchet and stay engaged.
Last edited by Zonian60; Sep 4, 2015 at 09:40 AM. Reason: added parking brake issue
Le Mans Master
Joined: Feb 2012
Posts: 6,644
Likes: 479
From: OK
Clearly no issue with the alternator if it has 14.4 at it. I would check the connections at the starter solenoid. Remember to disconnect the Neg battery cable first as the connection is always electrically HOT. Likely corrosion at the connection. Does the car have headers? If yes then check for fried wiring to/from the starter, a not uncommon issue with headered cars.
I'll leave the parking brake issue for someone with experience on that type of problem. I have yet to delve into my own PB issue of not enough holding power when fully engaged. I think mine is just an adjustment needed.
I'll leave the parking brake issue for someone with experience on that type of problem. I have yet to delve into my own PB issue of not enough holding power when fully engaged. I think mine is just an adjustment needed.
Parking Brake Fix...
https://www.corvetteforum.com/forums...ing-brake.html
Last edited by 73Corvette; Sep 4, 2015 at 04:08 PM.