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Chevy spark with problems

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Sparkster
New User

Jan 24, 2017, 3:45 PM

Post #1 of 6 (1303 views)
Chevy spark with problems Sign In
Hi there.

It sounds like my car (14 Spark) is having electrical problems....maybe.

Headlights dim and get bright repeatedly for a while after being on the road then slowing down to a stand still.

Alarm works sometimes. Alarm has come on by itself while driving on highway.

Onstar light turns red for a day...then back to green.

Siruis XM radio cuts in and out at times.

Car now shakes sometimes when at stop sign.

These problems seem to be worse after longer usage. I can drive 5 mins to store and no problems. Longer trips and everything seems to act weird again

Had this problem with the lights dimming and brightening on their own since i drove it off the lot brand new in 2014. took to dealer like 3 times only to be told "cant duplicate". Now the car is not under warranty and looks like im stuck with the mess.

any ideas?

thanks


kev2
Veteran
kev2 profile image

Jan 24, 2017, 4:04 PM

Post #2 of 6 (1294 views)
Re: Chevy spark with problems Sign In
vehicle is STOCK no added electrical - nothing plugged into DLC ?
Scan for codes post all codes and answer to aboe question.
Alarm- is that OEM or added?


Sparkster
New User

Jan 24, 2017, 5:04 PM

Post #3 of 6 (1284 views)
Re: Chevy spark with problems Sign In
In Reply To
vehicle is STOCK no added electrical - nothing plugged into DLC ?
Scan for codes post all codes and answer to aboe question.
Alarm- is that OEM or added?
Thanks for the reply.

No check engine or warning lights on. Can basic scan still pick something up w/o warning lights?

Nothing plugged into DLC

Alarm is added but was installed 2 years ago. No recent changes or add ons....just heavier use of vehicle seemed to trigger all these new problems a month ago.

Thanks for any advice


Tom Greenleaf
Ultimate Carjunky / Moderator
Tom Greenleaf profile image

Jan 25, 2017, 1:16 AM

Post #4 of 6 (1271 views)
Re: Chevy spark with problems Sign In
Quote">
Alarm works sometimes. Alarm has come on by itself while driving on highway.<<


Seems all your problem stem from this alarm now you can find who installed it and have it totally put back to original without it as a beginning. Can't imagine it being an original equipment (OE or OEM) device and most screw up not the exception but the rule. That was asked by Kev2 - is it original or not you just said put in later.


Any cut wires should be properly spliced and all put back as it was before putting that in or I can't see any way to proceed with this acting up like you mentioned,


T



kev2
Veteran
kev2 profile image

Jan 25, 2017, 6:44 AM

Post #5 of 6 (1255 views)
Re: Chevy spark with problems Sign In
yes there can be codes even if the check engine light is off.


The added electrical device -alarm- is first suspect. Many add on like this retain power and prevent the system form going to 'sleep'.
At the least a charging system check - alternator output volts, amps and diodes. as well as a parasitic drain paying attention to that alarm, confirm all modules are cycling off to the so called sleep modes. As always the installation of the add on will need checking twisted wires, scotch locks, crimps loose grounds create many problems.


Sparkster
New User

Jan 27, 2017, 10:10 AM

Post #6 of 6 (1221 views)
Re: Chevy spark with problems Sign In
Wow, I had no idea a simple alarm could cause so much issues...and that it's not uncommon.

Thanks to both of you.





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