New C-5 owner....and service lights came on
02-26-2017, 08:43 PM
#1
Instructor
Thread Starter
New C-5 owner....and service lights came on
Just had the local dealership replace fluids, hoses, belts, check brake pads...and installed a skip shift eliminator, to get me to a good starting baseline. I purchased the car over a week ago for a Corvette sales center in Orlando and drove it to Tallahassee without issues. She had 20,000 miles on her 2001 body. So this past Friday the local dealership did all the above...and then today, Sunday afternoon, as I started the engine the following messages kept presenting themselves....Service ABS, Service Traction System, Service Active Handling. I wonder if this could be related somehow to anything done at the dealership. A Forum member asked me if I had read the codes, but this is all new to me..and I don't have a clue....but apparently the dealership will have to see which code is making the lights illuminate..in other words, present the problem that has to be corrected?
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Barry6547 (02-26-2017)
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Barry6547 (02-26-2017)
02-26-2017, 09:02 PM
#4
Instructor
Thread Starter
So, why are there codes there in the first place? Just dumping all codes fixes problems, or tells us why those service messages are illuminated? Is it possible to screw things up as I don't have evan a minimal understanding....
02-26-2017, 09:03 PM
#5
Racer
Check the codes, look for H to see if they're historic or if they're new. Look them all up one by one and go from there. Or post them here and we'll help you diagnose them.
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Barry6547 (02-26-2017)
02-26-2017, 09:18 PM
#7
Instructor
Thread Starter
might you want to clear all codes first...and then see which ones are there once the car is started again....so there would not be so many codes to go through
02-26-2017, 09:47 PM
#8
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That has been suggested before as well. It will clear out the historic codes and then just give you the current.
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Barry6547 (02-27-2017)
02-26-2017, 11:13 PM
#9
Racer
If the dealership checked the brakes it is possible they unplugged a wheel censor and didn't get it plugged back in good. Pulling codes will tell you where to start looking.
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Barry6547 (02-27-2017)
02-27-2017, 07:40 AM
#10
Instructor
Thread Starter
Codes don't work quite as explained above relative to H or C.
First of all codes are a list of abnormal events that have occurred on the car. Some are reall events and some are caused by spurious events like low battery voltage. H is History and C is Current as stated. However, when codes are pulled with the engine OFF and key ON, MOST but not ALL codes will appear with an H following the code. This is because MOST of the systems that can generate codes that would appear as Current do so only when the engine is running. Once the ignition key is turned to OFF the codes that may have been generated as C will be converted to H since they can no longer be Current if the engine is OFF.
It is possible to pull codes with the engine running. To do this you must first use the RESET button to clear any messages displayed in the DIC. Then pull the codes as normal while the engine is running. If any Current codes have been generated during this ignition cycle they will have a C following the code. Codes generated by previous ignition cycles will appear with an H following the code. Some codes that were History and are again current will show as HC.
H codes should not be ignored. They are an audit trail of events that have happened and can be very useful in diagnosing problems.
Clearing codes does NOT fix anything. It simply deletes the record of the incidents. If there is an ongoing problem that caused the code to be generated then the code will come back.
The only danger of deleting codes is that if you have an impending emissions test scheduled for the car it will likely not be able to be tested. Clearing PCM codes cause the emissions readiness indicators to be set to NOT READY. It takes a specific drive cycle to get these indicators to come back to READY. If the indicators are NOT READY then the emissions station will tell you that they cannot test it and you will have to return once the indicators are READY. Unfortunately the C5 built in code reader does NOT report NOT READY so you either need your own hand held reader or you can go to any parts store and they can tell you if any of the these emissions indicators are NOT READY.
First of all codes are a list of abnormal events that have occurred on the car. Some are reall events and some are caused by spurious events like low battery voltage. H is History and C is Current as stated. However, when codes are pulled with the engine OFF and key ON, MOST but not ALL codes will appear with an H following the code. This is because MOST of the systems that can generate codes that would appear as Current do so only when the engine is running. Once the ignition key is turned to OFF the codes that may have been generated as C will be converted to H since they can no longer be Current if the engine is OFF.
It is possible to pull codes with the engine running. To do this you must first use the RESET button to clear any messages displayed in the DIC. Then pull the codes as normal while the engine is running. If any Current codes have been generated during this ignition cycle they will have a C following the code. Codes generated by previous ignition cycles will appear with an H following the code. Some codes that were History and are again current will show as HC.
H codes should not be ignored. They are an audit trail of events that have happened and can be very useful in diagnosing problems.
Clearing codes does NOT fix anything. It simply deletes the record of the incidents. If there is an ongoing problem that caused the code to be generated then the code will come back.
The only danger of deleting codes is that if you have an impending emissions test scheduled for the car it will likely not be able to be tested. Clearing PCM codes cause the emissions readiness indicators to be set to NOT READY. It takes a specific drive cycle to get these indicators to come back to READY. If the indicators are NOT READY then the emissions station will tell you that they cannot test it and you will have to return once the indicators are READY. Unfortunately the C5 built in code reader does NOT report NOT READY so you either need your own hand held reader or you can go to any parts store and they can tell you if any of the these emissions indicators are NOT READY.
Thank you ...this tech. stuff is way over my head. I appreciate all your time and kindness. Barry
02-27-2017, 08:24 AM
#12
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Check your receipt to see if the replaced master fluid flush, that could of caused problems, or loose connector they touched like another person mentioned.
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Barry6547 (02-27-2017)
02-27-2017, 10:01 AM
#13
Burning Brakes
Was it cold outside? I have noticed I get the same errors once in a while. Like once a year when it is really cold. I clear them and they don't come back. Im sure there is an issue with my traction control / abs and that one day it will go out. However I have no intention of fixing it. I will be very happy if it simply fails its self check once a year for the next few years.
Actually did it yesterday.
Actually did it yesterday.
Last edited by 2ooo-C5; 02-27-2017 at 10:01 AM.
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Barry6547 (02-27-2017)
02-27-2017, 10:49 AM
#14
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Barry - Pulling the codes is one of the easiest things to do. Post them here and let the guru's have at it.
Allot of it is over my head as well, but I'm thankful everyday that there are those willing to share their time and knowledge.
Allot of it is over my head as well, but I'm thankful everyday that there are those willing to share their time and knowledge.
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Barry6547 (02-27-2017)
02-27-2017, 10:59 AM
#15
Instructor
Thread Starter
Was it cold outside? I have noticed I get the same errors once in a while. Like once a year when it is really cold. I clear them and they don't come back. Im sure there is an issue with my traction control / abs and that one day it will go out. However I have no intention of fixing it. I will be very happy if it simply fails its self check once a year for the next few years.
Actually did it yesterday.
Actually did it yesterday.
02-27-2017, 01:13 PM
#16
Instructor
Thread Starter
The day before I bought my C5 out of town, I have been under the weather...and perhaps since I am not totally myself again, yet, the codes issue seemed mind boggling. I had emailed the shop foreman at the Chevy service dept. He responded that for me to come by any time and he would see what was going on with the codes. After his having the car for about 20 minutes, he brought me back to the car and said the worse case scenario would be having to replace the ABS Module....and possibly the modulator valve. Apparently the ABS module was acting dead. He tried several other things, then with a hammer and an extension, tapped a couple of areas....nothing....he did it again and the ABS Module was working. He showed me where to tap should this happen again. He did say another issue with it might pop up at any time...but that he felt that since this 2001 C5 only had a little over 20,000 miles, a definite cause might be the lack of being driven. I drove away without spending a cent. I know a lot of dealerships stick it to you, but I do know this individual is cut from a different cloth. I really appreciate everyone offering suggestions...and offering their assistance. Thanks to all you folks! That said, I want to learn as much about my C5 as I can so I can take on more responsibility in maintaining it.
02-27-2017, 01:34 PM
#17
Le Mans Master
The day before I bought my C5 out of town, I have been under the weather...and perhaps since I am not totally myself again, yet, the codes issue seemed mind boggling. I had emailed the shop foreman at the Chevy service dept. He responded that for me to come by any time and he would see what was going on with the codes. After his having the car for about 20 minutes, he brought me back to the car and said the worse case scenario would be having to replace the ABS Module....and possibly the modulator valve. Apparently the ABS module was acting dead. He tried several other things, then with a hammer and an extension, tapped a couple of areas....nothing....he did it again and the ABS Module was working. He showed me where to tap should this happen again. He did say another issue with it might pop up at any time...but that he felt that since this 2001 C5 only had a little over 20,000 miles, a definite cause might be the lack of being driven. I drove away without spending a cent. I know a lot of dealerships stick it to you, but I do know this individual is cut from a different cloth. I really appreciate everyone offering suggestions...and offering their assistance. Thanks to all you folks! That said, I want to learn as much about my C5 as I can so I can take on more responsibility in maintaining it.
I would suggest driving it and if you don't drive it for a couple of weeks, get a battery tender to keep battery fully charged. Low voltage can cause a mess of issues with these cars, including burning out a relay in the EBCM.
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Barry6547 (02-27-2017)
02-27-2017, 06:10 PM
#18
Le Mans Master
First thing to learn is how to pull the codes. The video I posted above makes it VERY simple even for old non technical C5 owners. The time to start is NOW!
Unless the service tech cleared the codes you WILL have some History codes and they WILL be listed under the 28 - TCS sensor.
Post those codes after you have pulled them. Not many things that can be solved without knowing what the codes are stored.
And by the way, just for the record, there are no new ABS modules available for the 2001 - 2004 C5 at this time. So if you needed one the stealership is going to have to use USED or find a way to have your repaired........
Unless the service tech cleared the codes you WILL have some History codes and they WILL be listed under the 28 - TCS sensor.
Post those codes after you have pulled them. Not many things that can be solved without knowing what the codes are stored.
And by the way, just for the record, there are no new ABS modules available for the 2001 - 2004 C5 at this time. So if you needed one the stealership is going to have to use USED or find a way to have your repaired........
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Barry6547 (02-27-2017)
