[If thats a fact, then I guess I can tell him to goto the dealer and have it programmed, give me the receipt, and I will pay for it. And if he trys to blow me off saying he cant do it, or doesnt have the time or whatever. I will assume he doesnt really want to sell it, or is trying to hide something.[/QUOTE]

If it cost him only a C note to start the car, and he ain't willing to spend that, I'd run as far as possible in the other direction. This guy sounds like a crook.

 

If it cost him only a C note to start the car, and he ain't willing to spend that, I'd run as far as possible in the other direction. This guy sounds like a crook.[/QUOTE]
RUN FOREST, RUN!

 

It's possible the ignition swich key lock cylinder which reads the resistor value was damaged during a theft attempt or the electrical portion of the switch could also be faulty. these can also be damaged by an exessive amount of weight hanging off the ignition key, some people like to carry twenty keys with them.
Anyways, my '98 wouldn't start at times and when it did the security light would be on steady. It finally quit, would start die, start die. Had the dealer replace both the lock cylinder and electrical ignition switch as I wasn't goint to chance a no start out of state again, we had gone to the corvette museum when it acted up, but made it home. total cost of repairs Approx. $380.00, peace of mind priceless.
Moral of this story, your repair might only be this or less, the theft deterrent system will shut out the ignition and/or fuel. if you don't mind buying a Vette with a potential bad engine, tranny, diff. go for it. Myself I'd insist it was repaired to run and RIGHT NOW ask for a forum member who lives in the area to verify it runs. you seem to have an excess of cash to lose, if so ignore all this goodwill intended advice and buy it.

 

Having the power disconnected for that long should not affect the resistor in the key. I'd say something else is the problem - maybe time to walk away from that car unless it can be fixed easily.

 

Well, the car is sposedly' gone. Here is what I wrote him, and what he wrote back:

"Its called a "VATs" Key. Leaving the battery out of the car doesnt effect
the programming at all.
Many vette owners take their batterys out for storage in winter. 6+ months
of no battery. Also, a local friend of mine left the battery out of his C5
for 2 years. Their are 15 different resistances for the vats system. The
VATs module is set for the resistance of the (correct key) for the vehicle.
It doesnt lose programming, as the settings are dip switches. If there isnt
the correct resistance, it does not allow the starter to turn over at all.

If the issue is the key, or whatever, I would glady pay you to get the
correct resistance key from a dealer, or whatever needed to be done. It
would be alot cheaper than me having to pay an extra $400.00 to the
transport company for a non running car."


Now mind you, he emailed me today saying to give him a call to work the details out... This is the email I got back from him:

"actually the starter kicks over with no problem.... its just not getting any gas.......somone dropped me half of what i wanted so its sold.. thanks for your interest again....... alot of these vettes are now overpriced good luck on your search for a good vette... "

So, the story changed from it being the key, to now it turns over but doesnt get any gas. Well, he either flaked out on me, or actually sold it. In any case I am glad. It seems to have more issues than I wanted to deal with.

Thanks for the replys guys, you helped me think about what I was getting myself into.

 

Yep, too many issues on that one. Wise move on your part not to jump in.

 

He's a crook, and I don't just mean a salesman either.....

You should take that VIN # to the police and try to solve the crime. Solve the crime and take the reward money to buy a real vette that doenst' already belong to someone.

Ignition system will shut down if the vette is trying to be started without that specific pellet. It's a security measure to help it not get stolen......sounds like they must have used a flatbed in this case.

Just curious, what price were they asking?

 

Well, it was a 'real' vette, with salvage title. I am sure it was legal, but I am also sure he was hiding other issues with the vehicle.
I am just looking for a c5 that needs body work.

He was asking 6k for it, which was about right for the miles/damage/salvage title.


I found a 2000 C5 w/ 6 speed, for a little bit more, and has a little more damage than i want, but it is 6speed with low low miles. Soo, i might get into that one. Plus it is at a salvage parts place, so its probably legit.