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Dec 3, 2024 | 01:48 PM

#41

Espi2

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Quote:

Originally Posted by mmartinez

My opps reposted previous post

if the starter does need to be replaced, any upgrades/preventative maintenance I should consider while there have it apart?

Dec 3, 2024 | 01:55 PM

#42

C5 Diag

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From: Cape Coral, Florida

There is the negative battery cable block ground along with a few others above the starter…I would have the shop remove them and clean with a wire brush and
reinstall…make sure they do the same with the connectors on the starter…the crankshaft position sensor is in that area but if the car is running fine I would leave it alone…if you want to change it that’s on you…change with an OEM only !!

Dec 3, 2024 | 01:56 PM

#43

Espi2

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Quote:

Originally Posted by C5 Diag

thank you!

Dec 5, 2024 | 11:44 AM

#44

Espi2

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Quote:

Originally Posted by mmartinez

To the OP, it's not surprising that this would happen, heat is the enemy to starters and starter solenoids. The nine hour road trip didn't help matters, especially if the starter/solenoid was orginal equipment .

Looks like it was the theft deterrent relay as you suspected. Much cheaper than I anticipated thankfully. Seems like I should get my ears checked, I know I heard a click.

Unfortunately, looks like the harmonic balancer is wobbling which is odd because it was recently (1.5 years ago) replaced. The dealer must have screwed up the install but was on the prior seller's ownership so don't think I have any recourse. Any recommendations for replacement harmonic balancers and associated parts? Don't plan to track the car or anything if that matters. Just a fun weekend toy.

Dec 5, 2024 | 11:49 AM

#45

Espi2

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Also - anything else that I should do preventive maintenance wise while the HB is completed? From reading some posts, looks like the starter is removed/accessed for this job - if so, would it make sense to knock that out while there?

Dec 5, 2024 | 12:06 PM

#46

mmartinez

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From: Espanola New Mexico

You could have been hearing the TDR click on, but it's contacts were pitted or worn. Sorry to hear about the HB, but I don't belive the starter has to be removed.

Dec 5, 2024 | 12:07 PM

#47

Espi2

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Quote:

Originally Posted by mmartinez

You could have been hearing the TDR click on, but it's contacts were pitted or worn.

yea - the contacts were corroded.

Dec 16, 2024 | 01:10 PM

#48

Espi2

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Quote:

Originally Posted by C5 Diag

That was bad manufacturing of FLA battery 20 years ago…not anymore !!

Swapped that batter to a new FLA as previously mentioned and looks like the battery already failed on me. Caught it very quickly - only been a couple of days. Just noticed some liquid under the car in the garage. I'm going to spray the area with battery cleaner/neutralizer. Any other recommendations on cleaning?

Going out to swap this FLA with an AGM type.

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Dec 16, 2024 | 01:50 PM

#49

C5 Diag

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From: Cape Coral, Florida

Quote:

Originally Posted by Espi2

Is that liquid you’re seeing battery acid or possibly water from the AC or you haven’t checked ??

Dec 16, 2024 | 01:51 PM

#50

Espi2

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Quote:

Originally Posted by C5 Diag

Is that liquid battery acid or possibly water from the AC or you haven’t checked ??

definitely battery acid - coming from top of battery and leaking down.

Dec 16, 2024 | 01:54 PM

#51

C5 Diag

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From: Cape Coral, Florida

If you do get a new battery and you have a DVOM and know how to use it I’d check to see if the battery is not overcharging.

Dec 16, 2024 | 06:21 PM

#52

Espi2

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Quote:

Originally Posted by C5 Diag

If you do get a new battery and you have a DVOM and know how to use it I’d check to see if the battery is not overcharging.

just cleaned the area with CRC battery cleaner and definitely was a bunch of acid in many places as the foam turned red to indicate presence of the acid. I’m going to do it one more time tomorrow.

do you think I need to access the pcm from the wheel well also or is cleaning from above sufficient?

Dec 16, 2024 | 07:29 PM

#53

Dads2kconvertible

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I'd be pulling battery and battery tray to clean underneath the battery tray. There is an electrical box underneath it and if battery acid gets in there and corrodes things you'll have a huge mess years from now.

Dec 16, 2024 | 07:30 PM

#54

Espi2

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Quote:

Originally Posted by Dads2kconvertible

that’s exactly what I did this afternoon - will be painting some tomorrow to cover up a bit of the paint that came off the frame. My concern is it was leaking under the car a bit so wondering if there are other areas I cannot see.

Dec 16, 2024 | 07:47 PM

#55

mmartinez

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From: Espanola New Mexico

I would remove the wheel well cover and inspect the pcm and it's connectors as well as the TAC module. You want to make sure no acid made its way to those connections.

Dec 16, 2024 | 07:48 PM

#56

Espi2

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Quote:

Originally Posted by mmartinez

I would remove the wheel well cover and inspect the pcm and it's connectors as well as the TAC module. You want to make sure no acid made its way to those connections.

ok - will do that in the morning. Thanks.