Problems to look for
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jul 2005
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From: Strongsville, OH
2016 C2 of the Year Finalist
Problems to look for
New to the C5 and looking at an '03 Anniversary Convertible with all the options that package includes. It has 13,000 miles, Auto, one owner, clean CarFax and is in pristine condition. I'm wondering what to look for as problems that these cars....C5's or 03's in particular....might have that I should watch for. When the weather breaks a bit here in Ohio I'll be driving it and putting it on a lift for inspection of the underside. Thanks for any info you can provide. 
Dave
Dave
Tech Contributor
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From: Somers, CT and Clermont, FL
St. Jude Donor '09-'10-'11-'12-'13-'14-'15-'16
2003 was generally a good year. It had all the improvements that were made during the evolution of the C5.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jan 2007
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From: Conejo Valley CA
Assuming you're looking at a lower mileage car, I would recommend:
1. Fuel sensors: The fuel sensors in the fuel sending unit assembly for each gas tank (there are two gas tanks on the C5) do tend to go bad. Ask the seller if he has had any faulty gas gauge readings. If you want to be really paranoid about it, pay about $135 at the dealer and have the sensors professionally checked. A lot of folks here on the board say a bottle of SeaFoam does wonders for this, but I never had such luck.
2. Check the driver's side of the rear differential. These are known to have leak issues. Find out if the owner had this addressed. If the problem is there, it is pretty easy to spot because of all the black gunk one would see around the driver side differential cover.
3. On your own, check the A/C and Heating... make sure they work.
4. Check the door locks from FOB and driver's door controls.
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Also check for play in the driver's and passenger seats (rocking seat syndrome).
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Racer
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Check it for water leaks! You shouldn't hear any "whistling" with the top up, that could signal a bad seal and a possible water leak.
Make sure the back glass in the convertible is secure. When you put the top down the black glass should stay adhered to the top. Look closely where the windows meet the convertible top. There might be some wear on the top in these spots.
Make sure the back glass in the convertible is secure. When you put the top down the black glass should stay adhered to the top. Look closely where the windows meet the convertible top. There might be some wear on the top in these spots.
Advanced
Joined: Jul 2008
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Well..being new to this I would have to agree with the leaky butt case. Also I would take a good look around the interior for loose parts like all of the little plastic peices, ours had a few but nothing superglue cant fix.
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jul 2005
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From: Strongsville, OH
2016 C2 of the Year Finalist
Dave
Melting Slicks
Joined: May 2004
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From: Whidbey Island WA
I've seen quotes mentioned on the forum between $400 and $1200. I was told by the dealer that did mine it would have been $1200. if I did'nt have warranty coverage.
Once it's on the rack, your mechanic should be able to see if there's any leakage.
Advanced
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The dealer quoted the leak fix at just around 1,000. I was lucky enough to have anthony_01 do the work for us. If your around the St Louis area give him a call.
Race Director
Joined: Jun 2004
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From: Schaumburg IL
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St. Jude Donor '06-'10, '13
Other than the leaky Diff., the single biggest problem with C5's is the Column Lock Issue..meaning the lock inside the steering collumn malfunctions and locks your steeringwheel up. There is a sticky thread in the Tech section on this,,tons of info. Very stupid problem, but can be fixed by buying a 55.00 bypass kit from most of the vendors here on the fourm. Very easy to install and cheap. most do it themselves.
I would check into that for sure. The recalls that the dealer do, don't fix a thing.
Good luck
I would check into that for sure. The recalls that the dealer do, don't fix a thing.
Good luck
Drifting
Joined: Nov 2006
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From: Plano Texas
St. Jude Donor '08
passenger side window motors go out alot, so make sure it works.
also the oil pressure sending units go bad on these easily. your oil pressure readback will go to max readback, even though your actual oil pressure is fine.
also the oil pressure sending units go bad on these easily. your oil pressure readback will go to max readback, even though your actual oil pressure is fine.
Melting Slicks
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From: It's true money can't buy happiness, but it is more comfortable crying in a Corvette than on a bicyc
St. Jude Donor '13
These cars have several common problems. Read the stickys at the top of the Tech section. I think I'm experiencing them all one at a time. Tonight my oil pressure reads 108 so I have to do a sensor swap. 6 speed cars are prone to sticking pedal. The pedal sticks to the floor during high rpm pulls. AC drains stop up. Electrical problems mostly due to bad/dirty grounds. The battery likes to leak on a computer underneath it. Window motors and switches. Fuel gauge will not read due to sulfur build up, Techron will help that. Head light gears like to strip.
The good news is all the problems are common and all the info you could ever need is right here. The best place in the world for a Vette owner in my opinion.
The good news is all the problems are common and all the info you could ever need is right here. The best place in the world for a Vette owner in my opinion.
Racer
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 394
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From: clearwater fl
get the VIN and have it run through to see if these common repairs were performed.
i found out that mine had the diff, window reg's, column lock, etc already done under warranty... good peace of mind!
good luck!
-ese
i found out that mine had the diff, window reg's, column lock, etc already done under warranty... good peace of mind!
good luck!
-ese
Tech Contributor
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From: Somers, CT and Clermont, FL
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