Problem with my 06 Chevrolet Impala LS
V6
Service battery charging system
question = The car would not start or even turn over. I tried battery charger overnight,
but it was still showing less than 12 volts although it did start. It is my elderly neighbors
car and they insisted that they wanted to go ahead and get a new battery. I got a new
battery for them and changed it out. Afterwards the radio won't come on and the dash
was still saying to service the charging system, they say that this has now gone away
and the car works fine except the radio does not work and the remote unlock stopped
working.
They also told and I heard it also, after starting, a loud click/clacking noise under the
dash on the passengers side, it eventually stops after starting. My internet research
makes me think this is the blend door motor/gear on the AC. Not sure if this is related to
the battery problems or not.
I think the key remote may just be reprogram with the key in the ignition but I am not
sure. More of a concern is the radio, my research on the internet makes it sound like
they will need to take it to the dealer to reset anti theft lockout if that is whats wrong.
Can you help me? I was trying to be a good neighbor and would feel bad if they will
have to take it to a dealer to fix it.
V6
Service battery charging system
question = The car would not start or even turn over. I tried battery charger overnight,
but it was still showing less than 12 volts although it did start. It is my elderly neighbors
car and they insisted that they wanted to go ahead and get a new battery. I got a new
battery for them and changed it out. Afterwards the radio won't come on and the dash
was still saying to service the charging system, they say that this has now gone away
and the car works fine except the radio does not work and the remote unlock stopped
working.
They also told and I heard it also, after starting, a loud click/clacking noise under the
dash on the passengers side, it eventually stops after starting. My internet research
makes me think this is the blend door motor/gear on the AC. Not sure if this is related to
the battery problems or not.
I think the key remote may just be reprogram with the key in the ignition but I am not
sure. More of a concern is the radio, my research on the internet makes it sound like
they will need to take it to the dealer to reset anti theft lockout if that is whats wrong.
Can you help me? I was trying to be a good neighbor and would feel bad if they will
have to take it to a dealer to fix it.
JK:
Well, I have not heard back from you yet, so,
I would suggest checking the fuse in the under hood fuse block labled "RADIO", and also the
instrument panel fuse block labled "AMP" if your system has an amp. It may be good idea to
check all fuses.
If all OK, then the radio may be bad. Todays radios do not go into theft lock with just a loss of
power, as in a battery change.
The clicking may be an HVAC door motor. These can be difficult to replace depending on
which one it is.
For the remotes, there is actually a bulletin that may apply to correct this condition. A new
module, 2 new remotes, and an antenna. You may also try to re-learn the remotes using the
Driver Info center. The procedure is in the owners manual.
Strange things can happen when a battery fails, is charged, or jumperered. A shorted battery
internally or the charging or changing of a battery can cause odd electrical problems.
The thing is that all these things should be under warranty. If the car is less than 36 months
since took delivery, or even if it is a little over. Just changing a bad battery and these problems
not occurring is not any fault of yours, and would be covered under warranty.
Thanks for the response, sorry for the delay, I didn't check my emails yesterday. I was able to
relearn the remotes using the driver info center. I am pretty sure the clicking noise is the AC
door because I can trigger the noise when I push the button for outside air, when I push the
recirculating air button the sound immediately goes away. As for the radio, I will check the
fuses, the clock shows the time but you cannot get into the setup on the radio to set the time
correctly. None of the buttons on the radio do anything.
It sounds you wont fine a blown fuse for the radio.
The clicking of the HVAC door motor may be it trying to re-calibrate itself. They have position
sensors in them, and it cannot find its full travel position numbers from 1 stop to the next.
The remotes not being able to be learned could be a module problem.
All these things must be related to the battery problem it had.
It may sound weird, but try disconnecting the negative battery cable for a few minute. then
reconnect, turn the key to the ON position- not crank. Leave it in the ON position for 1 minute,
shut the key off for 30 seconds, then try to start and see if any of the problems are corrected.
If not, then you will need to go to dealer. Removing power from these different systems MAY
help with the clicking in the dash, and / or the radio.
Again, these should all be under warranty.
Well, I have not heard back from you yet, so,
I would suggest checking the fuse in the under hood fuse block labled "RADIO", and also the
instrument panel fuse block labled "AMP" if your system has an amp. It may be good idea to
check all fuses.
If all OK, then the radio may be bad. Todays radios do not go into theft lock with just a loss of
power, as in a battery change.
The clicking may be an HVAC door motor. These can be difficult to replace depending on
which one it is.
For the remotes, there is actually a bulletin that may apply to correct this condition. A new
module, 2 new remotes, and an antenna. You may also try to re-learn the remotes using the
Driver Info center. The procedure is in the owners manual.
Strange things can happen when a battery fails, is charged, or jumperered. A shorted battery
internally or the charging or changing of a battery can cause odd electrical problems.
The thing is that all these things should be under warranty. If the car is less than 36 months
since took delivery, or even if it is a little over. Just changing a bad battery and these problems
not occurring is not any fault of yours, and would be covered under warranty.
Thanks for the response, sorry for the delay, I didn't check my emails yesterday. I was able to
relearn the remotes using the driver info center. I am pretty sure the clicking noise is the AC
door because I can trigger the noise when I push the button for outside air, when I push the
recirculating air button the sound immediately goes away. As for the radio, I will check the
fuses, the clock shows the time but you cannot get into the setup on the radio to set the time
correctly. None of the buttons on the radio do anything.
It sounds you wont fine a blown fuse for the radio.
The clicking of the HVAC door motor may be it trying to re-calibrate itself. They have position
sensors in them, and it cannot find its full travel position numbers from 1 stop to the next.
The remotes not being able to be learned could be a module problem.
All these things must be related to the battery problem it had.
It may sound weird, but try disconnecting the negative battery cable for a few minute. then
reconnect, turn the key to the ON position- not crank. Leave it in the ON position for 1 minute,
shut the key off for 30 seconds, then try to start and see if any of the problems are corrected.
If not, then you will need to go to dealer. Removing power from these different systems MAY
help with the clicking in the dash, and / or the radio.
Again, these should all be under warranty.