When you click on links to various merchants on this site and make a purchase, this can result in this site earning a commission. Affiliate programs and affiliations include, but are not limited to, the eBay Partner Network.
Driving my 2003 50th C5 (only has 35000 miles) to work today when I got a warning message to "service the active traction system soon". I wasn't too far from the house, so I turned around to put my Vette back in the garage until I could investigate the problem further.
Before I could get back in the garage all of the dashboard warning lights had come on. The gas and temperature gauges stopped working. The door locks, windows and mirror control also stopped working. I was getting all kinds of warnings about low tire pressure, shock malfunctions and a warning to reduce engine power.
Any ideas on what could have caused my dash and electrical system to go haywire in such a short time?
Looking for suggestions on where to start looking. Appreciate any help!
Sounds like the “classic” serial data bus issue…check for codes through the DIC and see if you have a bunch of “U” or communication codes…if one of the cars modules (mainly the drivers door module) has a bad power or ground it will back feed onto the data bus wire and everything goes haywire…gas gauge to E, water temp maxes out, windows don’t work and all those DIC messages…our last member with this issue 2 weeks ago had a bad connection inside the drivers door connector which resides under that rubber accordion you’ll see between the door and pillar…shake the boot and see if that resolves your issue…if so you will have to check the connector for loose or next terminals…if we have to go beyond this do you have a know how to use a DVOM ??….video below !!..I also moved this thread to the Tech section.
I had the same thing happen to me. It's a common problem. The power and ground terminals in the black connector in the door accordion spread. The bad connection caused the driver door module to power on/off rapidly and that disturbed the serial data bus.
C5 Electrical Problems
