suddenly blinking lights
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 273
Likes: 10
From: New Jersey
suddenly blinking lights
Hasn't rained in a while but rained hard today and when I drove home the cars electrical system was nuts. Soon as I started it the interior lights were blinking until I turned on the headlights. Then when I pressed the brake peddle the light began blinking again. The turn signal would blink both signals. The outside lights were blinking as well.
At some point it would settle down. Though when I got home I turned off the headlights and stepped on the brake, it would start blinking the interior lights and outside lights. I also noticed the outside lights were sometimes dimming and go back to full brightness when I was mashing the brake peddle. Also when things were blinking I could hear this clicking noise in the dash.
What could possibly be the cause of all this? I assume the rain brought this problem up but why?
At some point it would settle down. Though when I got home I turned off the headlights and stepped on the brake, it would start blinking the interior lights and outside lights. I also noticed the outside lights were sometimes dimming and go back to full brightness when I was mashing the brake peddle. Also when things were blinking I could hear this clicking noise in the dash.
What could possibly be the cause of all this? I assume the rain brought this problem up but why?
Tech Contributor
Joined: Dec 1999
Posts: 32,910
Likes: 2,402
From: Anthony TX
CI 6,7,8,9,11 Vet
St. Jude Donor '08
Hasn't rained in a while but rained hard today and when I drove home the cars electrical system was nuts. Soon as I started it the interior lights were blinking until I turned on the headlights. Then when I pressed the brake peddle the light began blinking again. The turn signal would blink both signals. The outside lights were blinking as well.
At some point it would settle down. Though when I got home I turned off the headlights and stepped on the brake, it would start blinking the interior lights and outside lights. I also noticed the outside lights were sometimes dimming and go back to full brightness when I was mashing the brake peddle. Also when things were blinking I could hear this clicking noise in the dash.
What could possibly be the cause of all this? I assume the rain brought this problem up but why?
At some point it would settle down. Though when I got home I turned off the headlights and stepped on the brake, it would start blinking the interior lights and outside lights. I also noticed the outside lights were sometimes dimming and go back to full brightness when I was mashing the brake peddle. Also when things were blinking I could hear this clicking noise in the dash.
What could possibly be the cause of all this? I assume the rain brought this problem up but why?
The VERY first thing that you need to check is the battery. Check the voltage with a METER at the terminals
Check the battery terminal/cable connection for proper tighteness and proper connection
If you can move a cable terminal by hand,,, it TOOOO loose!!! 11 ftlbs is the actual correct tightness fro 97-2003 batteries with side terminals.
Report findings
BC
Last edited by Bill Curlee; Sep 10, 2015 at 09:20 PM.
Tech Contributor
Joined: Dec 1999
Posts: 32,910
Likes: 2,402
From: Anthony TX
CI 6,7,8,9,11 Vet
St. Jude Donor '08
Could very well be. The only ground that effects ALL of those systems is G-104/108. Its the frame mounted stud next to the battery. Just follow the smaller battery ground wire down to the frame stud (It will be under the battery sorround plastic tab.
Stud and eyelet should be clean and tight.
BC
Stud and eyelet should be clean and tight.
BC
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 273
Likes: 10
From: New Jersey
Could very well be. The only ground that effects ALL of those systems is G-104/108. Its the frame mounted stud next to the battery. Just follow the smaller battery ground wire down to the frame stud (It will be under the battery sorround plastic tab.
Stud and eyelet should be clean and tight.
BC
Stud and eyelet should be clean and tight.
BC
Drifting
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 1,761
Likes: 235
From: North Carolina
No, as Bill mentions in post #4 just look directly down from the batteries negative post to the passenger frame rail, about an inch toward the engine the stud should be sticking up through a tab at the bottom of the plastic battery compartment shield. If you don't see the stud the battery shield might just be sitting on top of it. You can remove the shield to get better access to the ground stud if necessary. If heavy duty cleaning of the frame ground stud is required, removing the battery will open up the area to make access easier. At a minimum if more than inspection work is going on I'd disconnect the battery cables.
Last edited by MAC5; Sep 11, 2015 at 07:20 AM.
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 273
Likes: 10
From: New Jersey
My description wasn't good. It's not flickering but blinking. These owners have nearly the exact problem I have, and yea I use LEDS for the front turn signals. I just removed the front bumper to check on everything and yep there's a splice pack all covered in water. I also removed the battery and cleaned the ground there, but I also found another splice pack. Cleaned that too.
I just took a break and relaxing for now cause removing the bumper is hard work. I'm going to take some pics and post them here. Those splice packs are a curse for Corvettes.
I just took a break and relaxing for now cause removing the bumper is hard work. I'm going to take some pics and post them here. Those splice packs are a curse for Corvettes.
Tech Contributor
Joined: Dec 1999
Posts: 32,910
Likes: 2,402
From: Anthony TX
CI 6,7,8,9,11 Vet
St. Jude Donor '08
LOOK in the passengers foot well. Under the toe board is a fuse box and the BCM. Feel under the carpet and see if there is any moisture and see if the BCM got wet. Check the padding under the seat and see if its damp/wet.
If the carpet is /was wet,, the BCM could be or have been wet. BCMs DO NOT LIKE WATER!!!!!!!!!!!!
If the carpet is /was wet,, the BCM could be or have been wet. BCMs DO NOT LIKE WATER!!!!!!!!!!!!
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Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 273
Likes: 10
From: New Jersey
I put everything back together and while everything isn't blinking like yesturday I didn't even start the engine and these are the codes I see. The battery was unplugged while doing all this.
C1214
B2860
B2605
B2265
B2284
B2583
B2578
The passenger side wasn't wet at all. I checked that whole area. The drivers side did leak a little.
C1214
B2860
B2605
B2265
B2284
B2583
B2578
The passenger side wasn't wet at all. I checked that whole area. The drivers side did leak a little.
Last edited by Dukenukemx; Sep 11, 2015 at 05:07 PM.
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 273
Likes: 10
From: New Jersey
I believe my problem is that I like LEDs. I replaced the entire interior with LEDs and some of the exterior. Specifically the 194 bulbs in the Front and Rear Side Markers. Those are generic cheap LEDs I found on Ebay.
If this happens again I'll just replace all the side market bulbs with regulars or get better quality LEDs from Cree. But the grounds mostly looked good. I used my dremel with a brush to clean every ground I found and threw dielectric grease on them.