NEED IMMEDIATE ADVICE!!! HEEEELP!!!

[vee93]

Hi all!!!!
Posted this over in the General Discussion forum too.
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

 

[tigmaned]

not sure but on my 86 thats were the VATS control is, on 1993 not sure??

 

[ZRGator]

what kind of battery do you have..that is, top post/side post or side post only? If it has top posts, is the top post of the battery touching the metal brace above it?

 

[vee93]

what kind of battery do you have..that is, top post/side post or side post only? If it has top posts, is the top post of the battery touching the metal brace above it?

Both NEG and POS posts are on the side. It's an Interstate battery and only a year old. Don't drive the Vette everyday. As a matter of fact, drove it yesterday with no problems.

 

[vee93]

Hey everybody--
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!!!!

 

[Rain]

my guess was dead battery

happened on my C4 and the C5..

when they die, they die!
Optima in the C5 and the walmart special yellow top in the C4

 

[aboatguy]

Posted this in general so its a dupe!!!:cool
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

 

[AdvancedAutoCC]

Sounds like a dead battery...

Forget a trickle charger (those are to maintain a battery), you need a high-current charge to get the battery back up to snuff (assuming it's good), then find out WHY it went dead if it's not that old. Most likely, you have a draw of some sort. It's not out of the realm of possibility to have a shorted battery, but make sure you don't have a draw first.

 

[Samauriwarrior]

Hi all!!!!
Posted this over in the General Discussion forum too.
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.

 

[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!!!