Rookie Question re C5 electrics
Discussion
I've noticed this happen a couple times...
When I got in the car this morning a lot of the "options" seemed to have reset.
For instance, the Avg mpg was back to zero and the speedo was on kmh not mph.
I think once before I lost the radio stations, but can't be sure that wasn't user error.
Is there a known bug that I'm experiencing? (Has the dash system been written in MS Windows?
)
Am I possibly doing something stupid? (Wouldn't be the first time
)
Or could it be something more sinister like a loose battery connection? (I did have a very quick look at these the weekend)
Cheers.
Chris
When I got in the car this morning a lot of the "options" seemed to have reset.
For instance, the Avg mpg was back to zero and the speedo was on kmh not mph.
I think once before I lost the radio stations, but can't be sure that wasn't user error.
Is there a known bug that I'm experiencing? (Has the dash system been written in MS Windows?
) Am I possibly doing something stupid? (Wouldn't be the first time
) Or could it be something more sinister like a loose battery connection? (I did have a very quick look at these the weekend)
Cheers.
Chris
Edited by fletch360 on Wednesday 30th August 10:24
Just thought of another rookie question.
How do you fit the "convenience net" ?
I've seen a hook at the bottom of the left and right side of the boot, but it's a hell of a stretch, AND, where does the other two loops hook?
I must be dumb as a post
Anyone got any pics?
How do you fit the "convenience net" ?
I've seen a hook at the bottom of the left and right side of the boot, but it's a hell of a stretch, AND, where does the other two loops hook?
I must be dumb as a post
Anyone got any pics?
Edited by fletch360 on Wednesday 30th August 12:07
Are you playing about with the buttons on the DIC? I ask because it it easy to hit the one that changes from UK to Euro by mistake. I have a UK car with the easy entry option and yes I hit the memory button every time I get in the car but the dials/displays stay in mph, miles etc. Iv'e got the cat jacked up trying to change the coolant at the moment; I'll have a closer look when its down
dailyvette said:
fletch360 said:
How do you fit the "convenience net" ?
when you find out I want to know that answer as well
Jim, if you want to drop by Ealing fire station tonight after 6 you can have a look how it fits in the back of mine. I am there from 6 tonight until 9 tomorrow morning.
I think tes1cle may have hit the nail, try using a battery conditioner 24hrs a day when you arent using the vehicle, and see if the prob goes away. Remember, the voltage can dip low enough to reset stuff during cranking if the battery is weak. If thats the prob, get yourself an Optima red top, they are an order of magnitude better than the delco unit, and they can never leak ! Hope that helps
I've been reluctant to jump into this thread too soon because the last time I said "weak battery" it wasn't! However, as others have rightly pointed out our C5 electronics are very susceptible to erratic warning messages if the voltage drops below normal. Yes, it's entirely possible for the battery to start the car by supplying enough CURRENT to the starter motor while being unable to supply enough VOLTAGE to run the electronics properly. Battery swap is always a good place to start when the dashboard lights up!
Battery does sound very possible.
When I started the car on leaving work this evening it reported at around 10 volts, but quickly went up to 14 and maintained that.
Does that sound about right?
The book suggests that 9 or below & it's time to think about a replacement.
I'll see what it reads before starting it in the morning.
Cheers.
When I started the car on leaving work this evening it reported at around 10 volts, but quickly went up to 14 and maintained that.
Does that sound about right?
The book suggests that 9 or below & it's time to think about a replacement.
I'll see what it reads before starting it in the morning.
Cheers.
Edited by fletch360 on Friday 1st September 00:01
Mine started showing signs of problems when it dropped below 11.2 on the DIC (measured it separately with an AVO as 12V across the terminals). A reading of 14.something when running indicates that the alternator is working. I remember occasionally getting spurious messages about active handling faults just after starting or when turning the lights on, all cleared when I changed the battery.
You can only really see the true volt drop at the moment of starter engagement with a scope. During the cranking phase, it will recover quite a bit, then jump to around 14v when she starts.
That initial drop can go as low as 4 volts for a few mSec if the battery is either flat or knackered. Check out this link for a scope pattern showing the voltage drop against current drawn for a Chevy starter during key-on, crank, start-up.
www.picotech.com/auto/waveforms/chevy-blazer-starter.html
Note the small initial dip in the voltage (blue) trace. This is due to the huge pulse of current (red trace)as the starter engages with a stationery engine. when the batt is tired, the voltage can go very much lower, and various electronic systems can be affected.
Sorry to go techie, but it might be of interest!
That initial drop can go as low as 4 volts for a few mSec if the battery is either flat or knackered. Check out this link for a scope pattern showing the voltage drop against current drawn for a Chevy starter during key-on, crank, start-up.
www.picotech.com/auto/waveforms/chevy-blazer-starter.html
Note the small initial dip in the voltage (blue) trace. This is due to the huge pulse of current (red trace)as the starter engages with a stationery engine. when the batt is tired, the voltage can go very much lower, and various electronic systems can be affected.
Sorry to go techie, but it might be of interest!
Gassing Station | Corvettes | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff