Weirdest thing. Need help
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Apr 2014
Posts: 405
Likes: 10
Weirdest thing. Need help
I have a 97 C5. It has a cam, long tube headers ect.
Here's the problem that has me like what the hell.
Also note. it has a new yellow top battery.
Any help would be greatly appreciated.
Here's the deal/issue
open door get in car. I have power, headlights work, radio works, dash light up ect.
Turn key to start. Just clicks once, then there is absolutely no power car acts as it would if there was no battery. Everything is dead, no lights, nothing that requires power works.
If I disconnect and reconnect the negative terminal on the battery, I gain back everything electrical again. Until you try to start the car. Then everything repeats. One click, everything then dies until the negative terminal is disconnected/reconnected again.
Anyone know what the heck it could be?
Here's the problem that has me like what the hell.
Also note. it has a new yellow top battery.
Any help would be greatly appreciated.
Here's the deal/issue
open door get in car. I have power, headlights work, radio works, dash light up ect.
Turn key to start. Just clicks once, then there is absolutely no power car acts as it would if there was no battery. Everything is dead, no lights, nothing that requires power works.
If I disconnect and reconnect the negative terminal on the battery, I gain back everything electrical again. Until you try to start the car. Then everything repeats. One click, everything then dies until the negative terminal is disconnected/reconnected again.
Anyone know what the heck it could be?
Moderator, Tech Contributor
Joined: Sep 2013
Posts: 15,615
Likes: 4,062
From: Cape Coral, Florida
Could be something that everyone mentioned...I'd get underneath the car if possible and check the battery ground at the engine block and the positive battery terminal at the solenoid !!...wire brush everthing !!...visual inspection isn't good enough !!
Last edited by C5 Diag; Oct 22, 2019 at 03:58 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
Start with ALL of the battery high current connections. The battery cables call for an 11 ft/lb torque. (If you can move the cable connection on the battery they are too loose)
Check the B+ terminal at each of the fuse boxes. The under hood fuse box has the feed through for the passengers fuse box.
Check the complete negative battery cable and its connections to the engine block and at the G-104/108 stud on the top of the frame just inboard of the battery.
The actual battery cable NEG & POS had been issues on some C5s. The CRIMP connection inside the colored plastic boot/covers go bad and corrode.
Last but not least, I've seen batteries fail just like you are experiencing. Put a meter on the battery terminal bolts and see if you have battery power when you experience the issue.
Bill
Check the B+ terminal at each of the fuse boxes. The under hood fuse box has the feed through for the passengers fuse box.
Check the complete negative battery cable and its connections to the engine block and at the G-104/108 stud on the top of the frame just inboard of the battery.
The actual battery cable NEG & POS had been issues on some C5s. The CRIMP connection inside the colored plastic boot/covers go bad and corrode.
Last but not least, I've seen batteries fail just like you are experiencing. Put a meter on the battery terminal bolts and see if you have battery power when you experience the issue.
Bill
