90 ZR1 not charging - ZR-1 Net Registry Forums

Paddy_SP · 09-06-2007

Hi All - This is my first post, and I was hoping it would be under happier circumstances...

Back in the late 80's, I used to work as a test engineer at a place called the British Internal Combustion Engine Research Institute. One day Lotus turned up with a protype LT5 engine for us to do some flywheel explosion testing on. Basically, for litigation purposes, GM wanted to demonstrate that if someone who wasn't used to driving a manual-shift car drove a ZR1 with their foot half-on the clutch pedal, no matter how badly they abused the car, the flywheel wouldn't overheat, crack and break up. One day soon I'll write a detailed version of this, should anyone be interested. Anyway - I loved the LT5 so much that I said that one day, I would own one myself. That day was three days ago!

This afternoon I had to go to a meeting at our local university, and took my lovely 'new' '90 ZR1. It's an ex-Bill Streeter car, if that means anything to anyone. When I jumped in to drive home, the battery warning light was on, and the voltmeter was only showing about 12 volts. On the journey there, it was significantly higher. By the time I got home, it was down to about 11.5v. I've just tested it with a meter, and it is not charging - at all. The only thing I can think of is that I went over a large rise in the road, and the car landed with a heck of a thump - maybe this dislodged a connector?

Before I go pulling my new pride and joy apart, I'd really appreciate it if anyone here would be kind enough to advise me where to start looking. I worked as a race-car engineer for many years, so I'm not exactly helpless, but if this is a known issue, I'd rather benefit from the forum's experience and go straight to it!

09-06-2007	#1
Paddy_SP Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: SW England Posts: 22	90 ZR1 not charging Hi All - This is my first post, and I was hoping it would be under happier circumstances... Back in the late 80's, I used to work as a test engineer at a place called the British Internal Combustion Engine Research Institute. One day Lotus turned up with a protype LT5 engine for us to do some flywheel explosion testing on. Basically, for litigation purposes, GM wanted to demonstrate that if someone who wasn't used to driving a manual-shift car drove a ZR1 with their foot half-on the clutch pedal, no matter how badly they abused the car, the flywheel wouldn't overheat, crack and break up. One day soon I'll write a detailed version of this, should anyone be interested. Anyway - I loved the LT5 so much that I said that one day, I would own one myself. That day was three days ago! This afternoon I had to go to a meeting at our local university, and took my lovely 'new' '90 ZR1. It's an ex-Bill Streeter car, if that means anything to anyone. When I jumped in to drive home, the battery warning light was on, and the voltmeter was only showing about 12 volts. On the journey there, it was significantly higher. By the time I got home, it was down to about 11.5v. I've just tested it with a meter, and it is not charging - at all. The only thing I can think of is that I went over a large rise in the road, and the car landed with a heck of a thump - maybe this dislodged a connector? Before I go pulling my new pride and joy apart, I'd really appreciate it if anyone here would be kind enough to advise me where to start looking. I worked as a race-car engineer for many years, so I'm not exactly helpless, but if this is a known issue, I'd rather benefit from the forum's experience and go straight to it!