IMMEDIATE ADVICE NEEDED!!!! HEEEELP!!!

[vee93]

Hi all!!!!
Need immediate advice!
Vette won't start. Here's the thing...
I noticed when walking by the car tonight that the doors didn't snick unlocked.
Had to use the key to manually open door.
I hear a buzzing coming from some relay located under the passenger side dash. It's black and square. What is that?
Nothing operates in the car--from the radio to trying to turn on the lights.
When I switch the car on and try and crank it--nothing. I did notice that when I switch the car on, that buzzing relay stops buzzing.
I get the usual lights coming on the information center--dimly.
I lifted the hood and those lights are on--dimly.
I've checked the battery connections and they're tight.
I don't remember leaving anything on.
So..., what kinda problem do I have?
All advice is greatly appreciated!!!
Vee

 

[warren s]

Sounds like a discharged battery. Not totally dead but almost. Get a boost and see what happens.

 

[vee93]

Sounds like a discharged battery. Not totally dead but almost. Get a boost and see what happens.

Yeah, sounds like it to me too, but I can't for the life of me remember leaving anything on. I'm gonna go and see if I can charge it now. Thanks.

 

[B17Crew]

With the temps dropping and depending on the age of your battery, the charge can weaken much easier this time of year. Couple that with the constant draw on the electrical system and it can leave you with a battery that is barely hanging on.

Sad to say it but I’ve only been able to put 205 miles on my Vette in the past year. Work has been demanding so I’ve been using this while my LT4 is tucked under a cover.

http://batterytender.com/default.php?cPath=11_2

B17Crew

 

[Edmond]

When you try to start the car, does it click many times? That's usually a sign of a battery on it's way out.

I don't know how cold it gets there in MS but I don't think it would get cold enough to discharge the battery at a rate that much quicker.

Is it a Delco battery? My last battery lasted me less than 3 years!

 

[vee93]

When you try to start the car, does it click many times? That's usually a sign of a battery on it's way out.

I don't know how cold it gets there in MS but I don't think it would get cold enough to discharge the battery at a rate that much quicker.

Is it a Delco battery? My last battery lasted me less than 3 years!

No-the battery is an Interstate. But I took my 'lil Cav and hooked it up and the Vette fired right up. I was right, I didn't leave anything on. So...., I'm at a loss as to why the Vette battery was dead. But it's running now. Guess I'll have to get one of those trickle-charger things. Thanks everybody!!!!

 

[aboatguy]

No-the battery is an Interstate. But I took my 'lil Cav and hooked it up and the Vette fired right up. I was right, I didn't leave anything on. So...., I'm at a loss as to why the Vette battery was dead. But it's running now. Guess I'll have to get one of those trickle-charger things. Thanks everybody!!!!

Unless your car has been sitting for a while, or you take really short trips, something is wrong.
I would give the battery a slow(low amperage) charge to ensure that it is fully charged and then have it load tested. If it fails you found the problem, if it passes the load test, something is wrong with your electrical system.

Good luck!
Mike

 

[MBDiagMan]

I expect that the car will not start again soon, maybe the next time you try to start it.

In recent years, batteries have been made with less and less lead. They will sometimes separate somewhere inside all at once.

I fully expect that you will need a new battery.

Good luck,

 

[Samauriwarrior]

Hi all!!!!
Need immediate advice!
Vette won't start. Here's the thing...
I noticed when walking by the car tonight that the doors didn't snick unlocked.
Had to use the key to manually open door.
I hear a buzzing coming from some relay located under the passenger side dash. It's black and square. What is that?
Nothing operates in the car--from the radio to trying to turn on the lights.
When I switch the car on and try and crank it--nothing. I did notice that when I switch the car on, that buzzing relay stops buzzing.
I get the usual lights coming on the information center--dimly.
I lifted the hood and those lights are on--dimly.
I've checked the battery connections and they're tight.
I don't remember leaving anything on.
So..., what kinda problem do I have?
All advice is greatly appreciated!!!
Vee

I had the exact same problem last week. My wife went into the garage and told me the vette was buzzing. I went to check and sure enough the same problem you had. Buzzing relay and car would not start. I went to open the driver door and noticed that it was not shut completely. I suspected that caused something to remain energized (interior light, door alarm, etc.??). I jump started it and took it for a 2 hour drive. So far it starts but it seems weak. I bought a battery charger from JC Whitney catalogue (on sale for 9.99 +6.00 shipping) and will charge it up this weekend. You will probably get "sys" light flashing (3 x) at you occasinally when the battery gets low. It went away for me but still comes back once in awhile. I suspect a new battery for the summer may be in my and your future. Good luck.

 

[Vettelt193]

No-the battery is an Interstate. But I took my 'lil Cav and hooked it up and the Vette fired right up. I was right, I didn't leave anything on. So...., I'm at a loss as to why the Vette battery was dead. But it's running now. Guess I'll have to get one of those trickle-charger things. Thanks everybody!!!!

FYI -- Sears has a nice one for a good price... and it comes with a pig tail to attach to the car, so all you gotta do is plug it in instead of dealing with alligator clips.

 

[Jeb]

Tonight, after you've shut her down and parked her, stick your head under the front of the car at the wheelwell and see if the under-hood lights are on. Sometimes the switch will stick and leave those buggers on and you can't see them unless you look.

I've installed a seperate switch (toggle) on mine to keep this from happening. The problem is that if you jump the car and take her out for a ride, the switch gets shaken just enough for it to open and turn the lights off when you close the hood. Thus, the problem "fixes" itself only until the next time it sticks closed.

 

[B17Crew]

Tonight, after you've shut her down and parked her, stick your head under the front of the car at the wheelwell and see if the under-hood lights are on. Sometimes the switch will stick and leave those buggers on and you can't see them unless you look.

I've installed a seperate switch (toggle) on mine to keep this from happening. The problem is that if you jump the car and take her out for a ride, the switch gets shaken just enough for it to open and turn the lights off when you close the hood. Thus, the problem "fixes" itself only until the next time it sticks closed.

Another way to disable the underhood lamps is too remove the fuse for them. On my ’96, it’s located at the front of the car near the turn signal lamp assembly (drivers side). I keep my fuse in my cup holder in the center console.

Here’s how fast those underhood lights can drain a battery that is not new; Was helping a friend detail his engine compartment on his ’95 Z07 for three hours. Once we were done he went to leave and he got the “click, click” upon trying to start.

B17Crew

 

[JEFNLSA]

Here's a thought...

I had the same problem one time. It turns out that, when shutting the headlights off, I had inadvertently moved the sliding dimmer switch to the ON position. By doing that, it left my interior lights on which killed the battery. Gave her a jump and she started right up. Realized what I'd done and now I'm careful that I don't "click" that baby during shutdown.

 

[vee93]

Well, I left the Vette sitting all day and into the night whilst I ran around town for work capturing this and that for posterity.

Eight hours later, I avoided the Vette until about 5 minutes ago--when the dog HAD to go.

I just waved the fob in the general direction of the Vette with a bit of trepidation and *SNICK* the door unlocked and the interior lights were bright! Oh, yeah!!! I couldn't help but smile.

I shoo'ed the dog into the back yard and got in the Vette. It fired right up--stong and beastly!!! Again, ooooh yeah!!! (More smiling!)

It's crossed my mind that I might've left the rearview mirror lights on during the day. I'm just not sure.

It's not throwing a code and the voltage is like 14.something. And it's COLD tonight for here--34.

Thanks to all of you for your feedback. Y'all ROCK!!!

 

[tlong]

Your neighbors will be suspicious if you continue troubleshooting at 3:30 in the morning!

Glad it was operator error. It's amazing how well these hold up with all the electronics.