need advice from LS1 guys!!!! - NJFBOA - Home of New Jersey's Camaros and Firebirds

NjbadSS · 07-05-2009, 04:22 PM

well I've had my 99 SS camaro now for about 4 years, put only like 4000 miles on it, baby the hell out of it and it has treated me quite well. Things obviously break on cars, but I am wondering if any of you ls1 guys have had the same issue with your cars. Today I was driving up the road and all of the sudden the car just died on me. I luckily coasted over to the side of the road to a safe area and tried restarting it, with no luck. It has a brand spanking new battery in it so I know thats not the problem but am thinking the alternator may have taken a dump or is on its way to. After sitting on the side of the road for about 5 minutes, the car fired up but noticed the battery level was almost down to nothing on the gauges. Well than was my new problem as I took off down the road to hurry home, everything power stopped working, no gauges, blinkers, radio, nothing but the car was still running. Once I hit a stop light, another problem came up the dam car would barely run and I had a hell of a time getting it in gear. Seems odd to me but again I am guessing that with no power that all of the electronics that go to the car aren't going to the work and we all know these cars are all dam electronics so...now my question is has anyone had this same problem or one similar?

Tru2Chevy · 07-05-2009, 04:59 PM

Can't tell you what the problem is off the top of my head, but the first thing I would do is break out the multimeter and start checking the power in your battery, and output of your alternator. Also check the major grounds in the engine bay to make sure they are clean and secure.

- Justin

NjbadSS · 07-05-2009, 05:03 PM

well I didn't even make it home because the car wouldn't run so I had to leave it at a local garage. I checked out all of the wires and grounds that I know of and they all looked good. It was just very strange to me, never had it happen to me like that. I am just looking for advice from other f bod guys thought maybe someone has had this problem and could pin point it rather than a shop charging me an arm and a leg for something I could do myself. Thanks justin

sweetbmxrider · 07-05-2009, 05:05 PM

double check the connections on the battery as well. if you just replaced it, it could have worked loose or has an intermittent connection. could very well be an alternator though.

MyFirstZ · 07-05-2009, 07:07 PM

that seems more then jus a battery problem, but who knows. If anything go back were you got the battery and just ask to swap for another as a defective. I have been checking out some of the camaros service buletins at work i will see if i catch anything

01blackz28 · 07-05-2009, 07:15 PM

If the car isn't charging based on the voltage meter I would start with swapping an altenator.

Jensend · 07-05-2009, 07:19 PM

Most likely causes are: a bad alternator (check the belt and idler pulley too), a bad connection and or corrosion atthe battery/cables, or a loose ground connection. Sounds like you were running on battery power until the battery drained down.

2kblackgtp · 07-05-2009, 07:50 PM

when you turn the car on into accessory mode, does everything work? then when you crank it, does everything die? If so, money on bad connection somewhere. Sometimes you will get corrosion on the inside of a wire where it can't be seen so it's not always as easy as having a rusted ground or corroded terminal connector. Have you checked the batteries water level? A multimeter is your best friend right now

NjbadSS · 07-05-2009, 11:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 2kblackgtp

when you turn the car on into accessory mode, does everything work? then when you crank it, does everything die? If so, money on bad connection somewhere. Sometimes you will get corrosion on the inside of a wire where it can't be seen so it's not always as easy as having a rusted ground or corroded terminal connector. Have you checked the batteries water level? A multimeter is your best friend right now

the strange thing is...The car was running like a gem as it always does and going down the road, it just died out like I mentioned before. When I got to the side of the road and tried to restart it, it acted like a dead battery but it is brand new, and did re check the water level just in case. It wouldnt start for a little while than randomly tried it and it fired up. Drove it about 1/4 mile down the street and lost everything, windows wouldnt go up, gauges out, no blinkers, absolutely everything than when I approached a light, the car itself didnt wanna run so luckily got it into a local shop parking lot where she still sits. It is strange because I let it sit there for about another 5 minutes and it fired right up everything worked fine and the battery level on the gauges was perfect? I didnt risk driving it home but tomorrow will definitely double check all grounds and connections. Thanks for the help guys

Jam · 07-05-2009, 11:36 PM

is your oil at operating level on the dipstick?

NastyEllEssWon · 07-06-2009, 04:35 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jam

is your oil at operating level on the dipstick?

what the hell does that have to do with anything....

NjbadSS · 07-06-2009, 09:15 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by NastyEllEssWon

what the hell does that have to do with anything....

actually that is the very first thing I checked. My brother once had a trans am that he never checked the oil in and did the exact same thing that my car did yesterday and come to find out his oil was absolutely bone dry, seized the engine right up. Not a stupid question, it had my heart almost stop thinking FFFFF if some how it was empty and this engine is shot I am jumping in traffic haha

NastyEllEssWon · 07-06-2009, 09:32 AM

well yeah but all signs from what your saying is pointing to an electrical problem. check the alt wires...theyre close down there to rattle off or burn up on something...my friends ss kept rattling the alt ground nut off....

BonzoHansen · 07-06-2009, 10:16 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 01blackz28

If the car isn't charging based on the voltage meter I would start with TESTING the altenator.

Fixed. Any decent shop should be able to test the alt in the car using a VAT-40 or equivalent. If it all of the sudden just kicked up my money is on the alt.

camaro2you · 07-06-2009, 11:36 AM

I had a loose terminal on the junction block and battery once and while i was driving I hit a bump and the car just died.

NJ346 · 07-07-2009, 11:59 AM

sounds like a fuse or solenoid issue. try and find some diagrams of the wiring harness and go from there. Ls1tech has all the links you need.

emolineaux · 07-07-2009, 04:06 PM

i had the p/s pump leak on to my alternator causing it to go bad. i also had a problem with the connector going to the alternator. so i just replaced both at the same time.

JL8Jeff · 07-07-2009, 05:23 PM

If the alternator or connection is bad it may have already weakened the new battery beyond recharging properly. You need to test the alternator properly and check the voltage on the battery. If you replaced the battery for a reason then you had a problem you didn't realize in the first place. Check the interior to make sure no lights are staying on and draining it. Did you do anything with an alarm or radio recently?

NjbadSS · 07-07-2009, 09:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by emolineaux

i had the p/s pump leak on to my alternator causing it to go bad. i also had a problem with the connector going to the alternator. so i just replaced both at the same time.

bingooooooooooooooooooo..and you win the prize... so this is exactly what the problem was ... a boatload of money later and the SS is cruising again. Thanks a lot guys