QuestionHi Roland,
My 99 T/C LI acted dead after a recent drive.after shutting it off and trying to use the electric lock,the locks continued to click without umlocking,,or unlocking fully.Like a dead battery.I moved the shifter flipped the column,and working the key in the ignition,but dead.After several minutes it started,but the headlights lights where weak,and flickering,like a poor regulator..I started/sshut-off a few more times..then it worked normally again,steady headlights andall.The 4 buttons on center,wiper,int,a/c and recerculate where flashing.On runing themin scan I get 1 blink wiper/2 int,then 1 wiper/4 int,1 wiper/9 int. then it goes back to 2.
Clean battery terminals,battery and altinator checked OK,,and no engine codes off scanner at autozone.
Where is the problem?? somwhere must be a bad connection or ground,,,but where would te symtoms lead you to?
Thanks
Brian
AnswerHi Brian,
I would indeed check the main battery grounds: follow the - cable wires to the left frame rail and the rear of the engine block where you will find those ground points. There are a couple other important ones:instrument panel center support, and on the cowl panel in front of the left door near the lower corner of the door opening, hidden by trim panel. It could also be the ignition switch but check the grounds, battery clamps and the wires attached to the clamps. Be careful in handling the + post if the battery - post is not disconnected so as not to short it to the body.
On the center a/c unit, it probably just needs to do a re-calibration to clear all the flashing, because of the voltage supply intermittent history. Here is how I described the procedure recently to a fellow with an '01 van:
"I am handicapped in only having a manual for the '98 model, but that one has a self-diagnostic capability to test the calibration of all the actuators and assess the cooldown capability of the system. The test may well be available also in your 2001, but I can't guarantee it.
Starting the tests is fairly straight forward, but following up on any faults requires further action/interprestation of the way the lights are flashing at the conclusion of the first test. All the possibilities cover about 6+ pages in the manual.
But let us give it a try. The engine must be running. Set the blower on HIGH, set mode to the PANEL position, open all AC outlets, Set temperature slide pot(s) to COLD, Depress WASH and REAR WIPER simultaneously for 5 seconds (Until all LED's light). The LED's will stay on for 5 seconds. Calibration tests are running when the rear wiper and intermittent are alternatively flashing. Cooldown test is running when the A/C and recirc lights are flashing.
Acceptable result is when the rear wiper only LED is flashing.
Push rear wiper button to exit.
Interpretation of codes (presumably stored if you don't get the above result) is an involved process for which it would be better to xerox copy and postal mail you the pages.
So see whether your unit seems to behave according to what I have described, and please let me know."
Roland
