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Old Nov 6, 2020 | 10:16 AM
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Default Strange Behavior

I pulled into line to get my inspection and shut off the car. I didn't open the door. As I sat there the HUD lowered, then it raised again. A minute later it lowered again, then raised. The center dash illuminated for 30 seconds then shut off. A remote display for my RD plugged into the center box came on for 30 seconds then shut off. The HUD raised then lowered after 30 seconds. I went to start the car and it would barely turn over. This was all in a span of 10 minutes. Then, 10 minutes after that, heading down the road, the Service Axle Soon light flashed.

Any idea what's going on here?
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Old Nov 6, 2020 | 10:29 AM
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Originally Posted by Matthewstorm
I pulled into line to get my inspection and shut off the car. I didn't open the door. As I sat there the HUD lowered, then it raised again. A minute later it lowered again, then raised. The center dash illuminated for 30 seconds then shut off. A remote display for my RD plugged into the center box came on for 30 seconds then shut off. The HUD raised then lowered after 30 seconds. I went to start the car and it would barely turn over. This was all in a span of 10 minutes. Then, 10 minutes after that, heading down the road, the Service Axle Soon light flashed.

Any idea what's going on here?
First thing I would look at is to determine the current condition of your battery. Do you keep you car battery plugged into a battery maintainer when your car is not in use? You should. Try putting your battery on the charger over-night and see if this solves your issue.

Last edited by MMD; Nov 6, 2020 at 10:29 AM.
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Old Nov 6, 2020 | 10:30 AM
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I used to have it plugged into a CTEK but my mechanic said they can send power surges so I've left it disconnected.
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Old Nov 6, 2020 | 11:10 AM
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Originally Posted by Matthewstorm
I used to have it plugged into a CTEK but my mechanic said they can send power surges so I've left it disconnected.
Find a new mechanic. CTEK is one of the safest and finest products in the industry. My CTEK is not just a maintainer, it is a family heirloom. It's that good if used properly. I am confident that your mechanic does not know how to properly use this device.

Last edited by MMD; Nov 6, 2020 at 11:18 AM.
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Old Nov 6, 2020 | 11:27 AM
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GM put a "maintainer" port in the trunk for a reason.
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Old Nov 6, 2020 | 11:31 AM
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Strange, indeed. How did the inspection turn out? I bet those gremlins made you a little nervous in the line.

The maintainer I have came with the car as an option. It is the same as the $30 Costco one but has the $70 Corvette logo on it. That must be why mine works so well.
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Old Nov 6, 2020 | 11:41 AM
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Yep, sounds like a classic weak battery, and for what it's worth I kept my C6 on the battery tender that came with the car and a cell still died prematurely (on my time scale anyway).
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Old Nov 6, 2020 | 12:13 PM
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I agree that the CTEK battery maintainer is a very good product and I doubt that it will send surges to the car’s electrical system. Check your battery as a low or bad one can cause a lot of weird issues.
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Old Nov 6, 2020 | 12:25 PM
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Originally Posted by MMD
Find a new mechanic. CTEK is one of the safest and finest products in the industry. My CTEK is not just a maintainer, it is a family heirloom. It's that good if used properly. I am confident that your mechanic does not know how to properly use this device.
this guy is a top of the line master corvette mechanic. He showed me the printout of power spikes that coincided with the tender being plugged in. Apparently, the CTEK does not have a surge protector. The NOCO does.
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Old Nov 6, 2020 | 12:26 PM
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Originally Posted by TyBoo
Strange, indeed. How did the inspection turn out? I bet those gremlins made you a little nervous in the line.

The maintainer I have came with the car as an option. It is the same as the $30 Costco one but has the $70 Corvette logo on it. That must be why mine works so well.
car passed fine. I have a friend there who passes me with no questions. Apparently, the owner was there and saw my straight pipe. She had to wait until this morning to put me in the system.

I replaced the battery at the dealer. Fingers crossed.
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Old Nov 6, 2020 | 01:11 PM
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Originally Posted by Matthewstorm
this guy is a top of the line master corvette mechanic. He showed me the printout of power spikes that coincided with the tender being plugged in. Apparently, the CTEK does not have a surge protector. The NOCO does.
All chargers/tenders have a Recovery stage depending on the state of the battery. Its for desulfacation. Its like a surge. Maybe this is what he is referring to. Its perfectly safe.
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Old Nov 6, 2020 | 06:48 PM
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I didn't see any info about the age of your car or battery. As noted, the latter (along with cleaning the connectors) is the place to start. The things are as much computers as they are cars and MUST have adequate electrical power ALL he time. all the best!
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Old Nov 6, 2020 | 07:11 PM
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Your mechanic is not as smart as you think he is. The are only 2 phases where the CTEK will pulse. It will pulse if it determines that the battery is sulfated. Light #1 will blink if it performing desulfation your battery. The CTEK will only perform this step if it is needed. It is by design and one of the many reasons why this charger is so good. The other instance is when the charger is in maintenance mode. These small pulses keep the battery at 95-100% of the battery's full charge capability. There is nothing wrong with your CTEK charger. The CTEK has overheating protection your NOKO doesn't. It also has reverse polarity protection. If your need surge protection go to Costco and purchase a power strip. CTEK chargers will never surge your vehicle's electronics. They're the best charger/maintainers on the planet. I have been using CTEK chargers for years. All the world's top performance/luxury auto makers all use and sell CTEK chargers with their vehicles. Ferrari, Bentley, BMW, Porsche,.....



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Old Nov 6, 2020 | 09:09 PM
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Thousands upon thousands of CTEKs in use on Corvettes and other cars.... FWIW
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Old Nov 6, 2020 | 09:15 PM
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Originally Posted by Matthewstorm
I pulled into line to get my inspection and shut off the car. I didn't open the door. As I sat there the HUD lowered, then it raised again. A minute later it lowered again, then raised. The center dash illuminated for 30 seconds then shut off. A remote display for my RD plugged into the center box came on for 30 seconds then shut off. The HUD raised then lowered after 30 seconds. I went to start the car and it would barely turn over. This was all in a span of 10 minutes. Then, 10 minutes after that, heading down the road, the Service Axle Soon light flashed.

Any idea what's going on here?
Sounds like your car needs a new battery...


.
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Old Nov 6, 2020 | 09:36 PM
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Originally Posted by Avanti
I didn't see any info about the age of your car or battery. As noted, the latter (along with cleaning the connectors) is the place to start. The things are as much computers as they are cars and MUST have adequate electrical power ALL he time. all the best!
it's a 2015 Z51 with original battery.
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Old Nov 7, 2020 | 05:47 PM
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Originally Posted by Matthewstorm
it's a 2015 Z51 with original battery.
5 years is pretty long in the tooth for a factory battery, moreso with temperature extremes...
A comprehensive electrical system check will likely show it's on the way to battery Valhalla and confirm/isolate any other issues..
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Old Nov 7, 2020 | 08:36 PM
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Originally Posted by Matthewstorm
I used to have it plugged into a CTEK but my mechanic said they can send power surges so I've left it disconnected.
My 2003 C5 & Harley were both connected to the CTEK's when a storm came through and the power went off for a few seconds. Both chargers were toast and the electronic brake control module on the Corvette was fried. That module was almost $600 from Rock Auto.
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Old Nov 7, 2020 | 10:17 PM
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Originally Posted by c6miller
My 2003 C5 & Harley were both connected to the CTEK's when a storm came through and the power went off for a few seconds. Both chargers were toast and the electronic brake control module on the Corvette was fried. That module was almost $600 from Rock Auto.
See!
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Old Nov 7, 2020 | 11:43 PM
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Originally Posted by Matthewstorm
See!
It's not a big deal. Connect the charger to an inexpensive surge protector if it is a concern. Besides, the occurrence of getting your electronic equipment fried is slim to none. Many products you use everyday do not come with built-in surge protection. Your $700 smart phone does not when it is being charged. Evaluating a product based solely on whether or not it contains organic surge protection is a weak sauce arguement.

Last edited by MMD; Nov 8, 2020 at 12:04 AM.
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