Strange Electrical Problems
Thread Starter
Pro
Joined: Apr 2013
Posts: 575
Likes: 56
From: Placitas, New Mexico
Strange Electrical Problems
Hi folks. I have a 2003 Z06 with 43K miles. The battery is 6 years old. A couple of nights ago, I started the car and began driving home. I noticed the headlights intermittently dimming and then returning to normal. I also went to shift into 5th gear....and started to go in Reverse! The reverse lockout solenoid apparently didn't work. I quickly backed off to avoid grinding the gears. After a few miles, everything seemed to be working fine again, including 5th gear shifting.
I've noticed that the voltmeter seems to hover around 13 volts after startup and warmup. Is that normal?
We have a local car club with some very knowledgeable Corvette owners. I detailed my problem....and was told to have the alternator and battery checked. I plan on doing that very soon! What do you folks think?
I've noticed that the voltmeter seems to hover around 13 volts after startup and warmup. Is that normal?
We have a local car club with some very knowledgeable Corvette owners. I detailed my problem....and was told to have the alternator and battery checked. I plan on doing that very soon! What do you folks think?
Drifting
Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 1,862
Likes: 594
From: Prescott, Arizona
Check charging voltage at the battery (not the cockpit volt meter). It should be over 13 and probably more like 13-1/2 or 14 volts. Some regulators are even higher.
If the system is charging, I would first check battery side terminal torque, FSM says 11 ft lbs, but you can't get a torque wrench in there, so good and tight.
Next would be to take the battery out to be tested. If it is older, you may need a new one.
Check back on what you find.
If the system is charging, I would first check battery side terminal torque, FSM says 11 ft lbs, but you can't get a torque wrench in there, so good and tight.
Next would be to take the battery out to be tested. If it is older, you may need a new one.
Check back on what you find.
Thread Starter
Pro
Joined: Apr 2013
Posts: 575
Likes: 56
From: Placitas, New Mexico
Well, I went to AutoZone this morning and had the battery and alternator checked. Both were fine. The battery was OK but did show some wear. The alternator charging voltage was fine. Strangely, the car started and ran perfectly this morning. I guess that's the nature of intermittent problems! The battery connections were nice & tight, but I didn't check the connections to the starter solenoid. I guess that's next - I'll have to bring the car to a place with a lift.
I wonder....when the car acted up the other night, the battery and alternator had more load - lights, radio, climate control. This morning during testing, there were no lights on and the radio was shut off. Would that make a difference?
I wonder....when the car acted up the other night, the battery and alternator had more load - lights, radio, climate control. This morning during testing, there were no lights on and the radio was shut off. Would that make a difference?
