Hi all,

Hopefully someone can help me out here.

Yesterday I was driving my car and noticed alternator whine from my speakers that was never there before. My car audio knowledge tells me that there is a ground problem in the audio system. Then my son went to get out of the car and when I hit the button to unlock the door for him, I saw the headlights noticeably dim(which I never saw before either).

I then pulled in my garage and shut the car off, but it seemed like the interior accessories acted funny. Almost like they were shut off and turned back on all at once - before I completely turned the key off, like the battery being disconnected and immediately reconnected. My calender display showed Jan 1, radio time was 12:00 and it went to a random preset.

I checked the battery terminals and they are tight. What else should I look at? This has happened about 4 other times but previously I never noticed the dimming or whining radio.

After it does this, the car starts right up and runs fine. I readjust the date, etc and go on for another 5-6 months til it does it again. Should I be looking for other battery connections at starter, etc? Maybe the computer? As I write this I'm thinking ignition cylinder maybe.

The only mods on the car are a K&N intake and Magnaflow exhaust. I was planning on installing an aftermarket stereo this week.

Any help is appreciated and thanks for your time.

How old is the battery in your car? check the voltage, the car does some weird stuff when the batteries get low, and the Delco's are known to drop a cell without warning, mine did.

Definitely consider the alternator here as well. If it can't charge the battery completely, it will do some of what you describe, and could be the whine. That said, the battery is cheaper. I would definitely have the charging system tested, and a lot of places do it for free.

_________________
One Big Ass Mistake America

It's the original battery. I drove the car tonight and everything was fine. No dimming when I hit the lock button. Maybe this weekend I'll run up to autozone and have them check the battery and go from there. Anyone else have any insight on possibilities?

Remove the battery cables and clean the terminals, then reinstall the cables.

_________________
Bright Red 2008 G8 GT

Mods: DRCUSTOMPARTS Center Gauge Bezel
Superchips ECM/TCM Tune- Volant CAI
Solo Axlebacks - HID's
Holden V8 Badges
My Website

So I stop at Autozone and they tell me the battery is bad. Only putting out 75cca under load. Alternator is ok. Then they say they don't have a replacement. I end up running to NAPA and they have it for $109. Then It took about an hour to wrangle the old one out and put the new one in.

It's strange, I never had a problem starting the car. Hopefully the issues above will clear up. I'll keep you posted.

Yep, hopefully that will take care of your issue. The battery it my 2008 only lasted about three years. The battery in my 2004 GT I replaced after 6 years just to make sure. It was still ok.

_________________
K&N CAI/Flips Custom Headlights, Tail Lights, Reverse Light,Brake Light/Front STB/Magnaflow Exhaust

2008 Grand Prix GXP

wow gm bought some shitty ass batteries

i had a factory special in my truck and that was an 03
i know that 8 years is getting close to the end of the life but it's better than 3

_________________

Actually GM made crappy batteries. They are AC Delco brand.

_________________
Bright Red 2008 G8 GT

Mods: DRCUSTOMPARTS Center Gauge Bezel
Superchips ECM/TCM Tune- Volant CAI
Solo Axlebacks - HID's
Holden V8 Badges
My Website

Well, the car seems to be running fine. I still have a problem with my airbags though. The dash light comes on and then shuts off. If my son is in the car the passenger side will turn on and off too. Any ideas? Maybe I should start a new thread about it.