Notices
C5 General General C5 Corvette and C5 Z06 Discussion not covered in Tech

C5 Issues???

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old Dec 10, 2009 | 10:31 PM
  #1  
Jon Hekking's Avatar
Jon Hekking
Thread Starter
Race Director
15 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
 
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 15,110
Likes: 282
From: Salt Lake City Utah
2020 C3 of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
2019 C3 of Year Finalist (stock)
Default C5 Issues???

As I posted earlier, I'm considering picking up a C5. I got the price where I want it and based on your responses it's a great deal, thanks for that.

I've had a couple issues though. The first time I went to close the deal after driving it the week before, I drove it again and the oil pressure was spiked on both the gauge and the HUD, was not that way the week prior. They had that repaired so I went back last weekend and again drove it, this time the windshield wipers were not working so they're replacing the wiper motor, should be done for this week end.

I don't believe in coincidences, are these things prone to electrical gremlins? As a reminder, it's a 1999, clean Carfax, maintenance records are good, 60ish K miles.

Thoughts?
Reply
Old Dec 10, 2009 | 10:46 PM
  #2  
wcdaniel's Avatar
wcdaniel
Pro
 
Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 600
Likes: 0
From: Bowling Green KY
Default

Man I hate it when that little guy on my shoulder pipes up when I am doing a deal of some kind. I never know if I should listen to him or not.

Remember, until you have become 'personally' attached, always be prepared to walk away for ANY reason. Especially the little dude on the shoulder.
Reply
Old Dec 10, 2009 | 10:48 PM
  #3  
jrose7004's Avatar
jrose7004
Team Owner
20 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
 
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 58,490
Likes: 1,811
From: Oklahoma City OK
C6 of Year Finalist (appearance mods) 2019
Default

Those problems before I bought would make me walk away.
Reply
Old Dec 10, 2009 | 10:49 PM
  #4  
wcdaniel's Avatar
wcdaniel
Pro
 
Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 600
Likes: 0
From: Bowling Green KY
Default

Originally Posted by wcdaniel
Man I hate it when that little guy on my shoulder pipes up when I am doing a deal of some kind. I never know if I should listen to him or not.

Remember, until you have become 'personally' attached, always be prepared to walk away for ANY reason. Especially the little dude on the shoulder.
Furthermore when I went through the purchase process a few months ago. I had my goals set and knew what I was after. But it took a looooooooooong time and I started waivering. My wife said, for this kind of money, dont' compromise on anything (major). Get EXACTLY what you have in your heart. Oherwise you will never be satisfied and will always wonder.

Last edited by wcdaniel; Dec 10, 2009 at 10:49 PM. Reason: Fat Fingers
Reply
Old Dec 10, 2009 | 11:01 PM
  #5  
Munky's Avatar
Munky
Burning Brakes
20 Year Member
 
Joined: Sep 2000
Posts: 1,079
Likes: 0
From: Richmond VA
Default

The first issue is your oil pressure sending unit which unfortunately is a very common problem on some c5's. I have been through 3, and after the 2nd, used one of the DIY suggestions, and now it take me 5 minutes and $25 instead of a trip to the shope and $250.

The second issue (windshield wipers) I have no clue. Never had any electrical or funky issues like that. I will say though that any high performance, 10 year old car is going to have some random things happen from time to time.

Clutch, torque tube bushings, shocks, wiper motors, etc.

Just be very thorough, and don't be afraid to walk if you find too many issues.
Reply
Old Dec 10, 2009 | 11:06 PM
  #6  
dlivewyer's Avatar
dlivewyer
Pro
 
Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 505
Likes: 0
From: tyler tx
Default

The oil pressure sending unit is common, and they took care of it.

The wiper motor is not common enough for there to be a bunch of stuff on the net about it. If it were common it'd be in that thread you were referred to in your other thread.

I wouldn't worry about it. No one can predict those things going out. I think if it was a problem car there would be a lot of warranty work on the carfax.
Reply
Old Dec 10, 2009 | 11:24 PM
  #7  
Jon Hekking's Avatar
Jon Hekking
Thread Starter
Race Director
15 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
 
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 15,110
Likes: 282
From: Salt Lake City Utah
2020 C3 of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
2019 C3 of Year Finalist (stock)
Default

Originally Posted by dlivewyer
The oil pressure sending unit is common, and they took care of it.

The wiper motor is not common enough for there to be a bunch of stuff on the net about it. If it were common it'd be in that thread you were referred to in your other thread.

I wouldn't worry about it. No one can predict those things going out. I think if it was a problem car there would be a lot of warranty work on the carfax.
My concern is due to the timing, both issues started after I test drove the car initially, then the sending unit and the wiper motor the next. Both were fine the first time I drove it. Just makes you wonder......
Reply
Old Dec 11, 2009 | 12:05 AM
  #8  
Choreo's Avatar
Choreo
Le Mans Master
Supporting Lifetime
15 Year Member
Loved
Community Favorite
Top Answer: 1
 
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 6,774
Likes: 361
From: Midland TX
Default

Originally Posted by Jon Hekking
My concern is due to the timing, both issues started after I test drove the car initially,,,
What are you doing it? One more test drive an the owner will have to start charging you!
Reply
Corvette Stories

The Best of Corvette for Corvette Enthusiasts

story-0

150 hp to 1,250 hp: Every Corvette Generation Compared by the Specs That Matter

 Joe Kucinski
story-1

8 Coolest Corvette Pace Cars (and Replicas) of All Time

 Verdad Gallardo
story-2

Top 10 Corvette Engines RANKED by Peak Torque (70+ Years of Muscle!)

 Joe Kucinski
story-3

Corvette ZR1X Will Be Pacing the Indy 500, And Could Probably Race, Too!

 Verdad Gallardo
story-4

Top 10 Corvettes Coming to Mecum Indy 2026!

 Brett Foote
story-5

Top 10 C9 Corvette MUST-HAVES to Fix These C8 Generation Flaws!

 Michael S. Palmer
story-6

10 Revolutionary 'Corvette Firsts' Most People Don't Know

 Joe Kucinski
story-7

5 Reasons to Upgrade to an LS6-Powered Corvette; 5 Reasons to Stay LT2

 Michael S. Palmer
story-8

2027 Corvette vs The World: Every C8 vs Its Closest Competitor

 Joe Kucinski
story-9

10 Most Common Corvette Problems of the Last 20 Years!

 Joe Kucinski
Old Dec 11, 2009 | 12:21 AM
  #9  
Jon Hekking's Avatar
Jon Hekking
Thread Starter
Race Director
15 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
 
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 15,110
Likes: 282
From: Salt Lake City Utah
2020 C3 of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
2019 C3 of Year Finalist (stock)
Default

Originally Posted by Choreo
What are you doing it? One more test drive an the owner will have to start charging you!
I'll keep on driving it to make sure the issues are fixed or until I stop finding new problems, wouldn't you?
Reply
Old Dec 11, 2009 | 12:46 AM
  #10  
dlivewyer's Avatar
dlivewyer
Pro
 
Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 505
Likes: 0
From: tyler tx
Default

Originally Posted by Jon Hekking
I'll keep on driving it to make sure the issues are fixed or until I stop finding new problems, wouldn't you?
Go over it with a fine tooth comb and check everything you can think of and that's about all you can do.

Last edited by dlivewyer; Dec 11, 2009 at 12:49 AM.
Reply
Old Dec 11, 2009 | 02:16 AM
  #11  
zwaldo's Avatar
zwaldo
Burning Brakes
10 Year Member
 
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 769
Likes: 2
From: Zahnd Indiana
Default

Flooding has been a be problem in my area, and the water wouldn't have to get to high to affect a corvette. always look for signs of something being covered up. new carpet? check the panel on the passanger side where the fuze box is on the floorboard to see if there could be any signs of water damage.

but could be something as crazy as a mouse ate into some wires. which would still be a complete pain in the **** and cost money.

my girlfriends parents monty has has wires eaten up from mic twice now.
Reply
Old Dec 11, 2009 | 05:09 AM
  #12  
Vetteman Jack's Avatar
Vetteman Jack
Administrator
Supporting Lifetime
Veteran: Navy
St. Jude 20 Year Donor
25 Year Member
Veteran: Reserves
 
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 367,774
Likes: 24,683
From: In a parallel universe. Currently own 2014 Stingray Coupe.
C7 of the Year - Modified Finalist 2021
MO Events Coordinator
St. Jude Co-Organizer
St. Jude Donor '03 thru '25
NCM Sinkhole Donor
CI 5, 8 & 11 Veteran
Default

I really don't think the C5 is all that prone to electrical gremlins - haven't been any with the 3 that I've owned. See if the dealer will throw in some kind of warranty for you (I know it might be hard with the age of the car and the miles, but worth a try).
Reply

Get notified of new replies

To C5 Issues???





All times are GMT -4. The time now is 06:22 AM.

story-0
150 hp to 1,250 hp: Every Corvette Generation Compared by the Specs That Matter

Slideshow: From C1 to C8 we compare every Corvette generation by the numbers.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-12 16:54:12


VIEW MORE
story-1
8 Coolest Corvette Pace Cars (and Replicas) of All Time

Slideshow: Some Corvette pace cars became collectible legends, while others perfectly captured the look and attitude of their era.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-11 09:50:51


VIEW MORE
story-2
Top 10 Corvette Engines RANKED by Peak Torque (70+ Years of Muscle!)

Slideshow: Ranking the top 10 Corvette engines by torque output.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-05 11:58:09


VIEW MORE
story-3
Corvette ZR1X Will Be Pacing the Indy 500, And Could Probably Race, Too!

Slideshow: A Corvette pace car nearly matching IndyCar speeds sounds exaggerated, until you look at the numbers.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-04 20:03:36


VIEW MORE
story-4
Top 10 Corvettes Coming to Mecum Indy 2026!

Among a rather large group of them.

By Brett Foote | 2026-05-04 13:56:44


VIEW MORE
story-5
Top 10 C9 Corvette MUST-HAVES to Fix These C8 Generation Flaws!

Slideshow: the top 10 things Corvette owners want in the C9 Corvette

By Michael S. Palmer | 2026-04-30 12:41:15


VIEW MORE
story-6
10 Revolutionary 'Corvette Firsts' Most People Don't Know

Slideshow: 10 Important Corvette 'firsts' that every fan should know.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-04-29 17:02:16


VIEW MORE
story-7
5 Reasons to Upgrade to an LS6-Powered Corvette; 5 Reasons to Stay LT2

Slideshow: Should you buy a 2020-2026 Corvette or wait for 2027?

By Michael S. Palmer | 2026-04-22 10:08:58


VIEW MORE
story-8
2027 Corvette vs The World: Every C8 vs Its Closest Competitor

Slideshow: 2027 Corvette lineup vs the world.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-04-24 16:12:42


VIEW MORE
story-9
10 Most Common Corvette Problems of the Last 20 Years!

Slideshow: 10 major Corvette problems from the last 20 years.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-04-14 16:37:05


VIEW MORE