2000 with electrical gremlins,need help
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 247
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From: Ohio
2000 with electrical gremlins,need help
My coupe has had electrical problems for about a month, I went out one morning to start the car and it had power for lights but not enough to start the car(new Battery in spring).I jumped the car and it started right up.While I was sitting in the car and it running I noticed I had no dashlights until I put the parking lights on.So I shut off the car and I was waiting for my dashlights to shut off and I waited about 5 minutes(which would explain the battery drain) the only way it would shut off is if I opened the car door or turned on the parking lights and shut them off again,I checked for codes and got 2 codes on Battery circuit 1 and 2 codes on Battery circuit 2.I cleared the codes and they havent came back.If anyone could give me any direction on what to check for or what controls the dashlight timing circuit,It would be definately be greatly appreciated! Thanks
Last edited by Vetteatlast; Dec 12, 2015 at 03:10 PM.
Tech Contributor
Joined: Dec 1999
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From: Anthony TX
CI 6,7,8,9,11 Vet
St. Jude Donor '08
To really understand the way the interior lights, dash lights and courtesy lights function, take a good read in the OWNERS MANUAL.
It explains it a LOT better than I can describe. One thing that you need to do is check the small push button on the left side of the column/dash. Push it and it will POP OUT. If you turn it all the way to the RIGHT it will force the mirror lights and dash lights to STAY ON and kill the battery.
You have a function that lets the dash back lights stay on until you open the door. They have a TIMER and will shut off in a short period of time.
Your alternator is not designed to CHARGE the battery. If it was near dead, you need to put it on a charger. The LOW battery will set numerous different DTCs Clear them and monitor after the battery is fully charged.
Bill
It explains it a LOT better than I can describe. One thing that you need to do is check the small push button on the left side of the column/dash. Push it and it will POP OUT. If you turn it all the way to the RIGHT it will force the mirror lights and dash lights to STAY ON and kill the battery.
You have a function that lets the dash back lights stay on until you open the door. They have a TIMER and will shut off in a short period of time.
Your alternator is not designed to CHARGE the battery. If it was near dead, you need to put it on a charger. The LOW battery will set numerous different DTCs Clear them and monitor after the battery is fully charged.
Bill
Last edited by Bill Curlee; Dec 12, 2015 at 09:32 PM.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 5,375
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From: CA.
St. Jude Donor '13-'14-'15
I agree with Bill--These cars have so may electronics that the are very voltage sensitive--- I would look for a voltage drain in your electric system----The most common cause for voltage drain is something that works with the KEY OFF----This usually points to your drivers electric seat adjuster----They often go bad and drain voltage all the time---You can try to disconnect all the pigtails under the drivers seat to see if the drain goes away--- ALSO often the many computers on your car will get a "glitch" stored in them---Kinda like a virus on a laptop---You can remove any glitches simply by dis connecting your battery overnight---and the memory in the computers will all be erased and reset to STOCK---
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 247
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From: Ohio
I agree with Bill--These cars have so may electronics that the are very voltage sensitive--- I would look for a voltage drain in your electric system----The most common cause for voltage drain is something that works with the KEY OFF----This usually points to your drivers electric seat adjuster----They often go bad and drain voltage all the time---You can try to disconnect all the pigtails under the drivers seat to see if the drain goes away--- ALSO often the many computers on your car will get a "glitch" stored in them---Kinda like a virus on a laptop---You can remove any glitches simply by dis connecting your battery overnight---and the memory in the computers will all be erased and reset to STOCK---
Le Mans Master
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 5,375
Likes: 328
From: CA.
St. Jude Donor '13-'14-'15
That would happen all the time on my 98 Very annoying----I just dis connected the negative battery cable for 10 minutes and all would work again--I have no idea what causes it !!!!
