Electrical Gremlin - Radio and HVAC lights

[bluecoupe]

My 2001 coupe had a strange problem.

First a little background:

When my gas gets down to around 100 miles left on the tank (around a quarter tank) the guage drops to straight to E and the check guages light comes on. This is no big deal to me I know I have plenty of gas to get to the gas station. I figured I'd ignore that problem until the winter (original warranty is up in Feb 04).

The strange problem:

I parked the car in the "guage on E" state for an hour and when I restarted it the lights on the Radio and HVAC control were out. (I could hear that the radio was still playing the CD that was in it. I thought it was a blown fuse but the [radio and HVAC] lights came back on after a few minutes. I put gas in and drove it for 45 minutes with no further problems.

It was not raining or overly hot that day. So weather was not a factor.

Is this a "normal" C5 glitch or should I be concerned that it is an indication of a more serious problem?

Any suggestion or clues would be appreciated.
Frank

[c4c5specialist]

HI there,
Is it possible that you were in a parking garage, and had your twilight sentinel on ???????
Then, after you pulled outside, the lights turned off?????
Just a thought, c4c5

[bluecoupe]

C4C5 are you the Amazing Kreskin? Yes, I was in a large garage and the lights did come on. Now that I feel completely dumb for asking the first question. Here's another. Why did the light on the radio and HVAC go out?

How about the gas guage problem? Does it sound like the reflash would help in this case?

Too many darn computers and electrical geegaws. They're giving me nightmares.

Thanks C4C5. You are the MAN!

[c4c5specialist]

HI there,
It is possible that the reason that the lights dimmed on the dash so much, due to available ambient light, so the BCM dims them so that they do not overglare.
As for the fuel system gauge, yes, a recalibration would always be the first course of action.
Give it a shot, and please keep us posted, c4c5

[bluecoupe]

C4C5 you hit the nail on the head again. I went to a car cruise tonight and when I left it was dark and the lights came on and the dash lights were "out". the dimmer was all the way down. I must have bumped into it when I was cleaning the interior. I don't usually drive it at night becuse of all the deer.

I'll swing by the dealer and have the reflash done and see if it cures my gas guage glitch.

Thanks again for all your help.
Maybe you should write a book, "C5s for Dummies". I'll buy the first copy.