Another "Orphan" GM Part
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Mar 2011
Posts: 1,048
Likes: 5
From: Metairie LA
Another "Orphan" GM Part
Here's the story. The faceplate on my manual (NOT the dual zone head) A/C Heater control has begun to delaminate from heat and age. Cosmetics only, but I figured "what the hay", might as well replace it when I can-right? GM p/n 10447750, AC Delco 15-72690-well it's NLA. Called and e-mailed at least 10 suppliers around the country, and got the same answer-SORRY. Finally found a place in NM that had two and scored. Also, in the process, I had my dealer check his computer and there WERE dealers with NOS sitting on their shelves (at about $520). Lesson here is, that like the steering wheel positioning sensor discussed elsewhere, GM is slowly abandoning parts for these cars that effect their basic functionality. And in my case, there apparently is no work around to retrofit the dual controller to the manual cars. Those who have this system may want to consider "banking" a part for the future if they want to keep the cars long term. My $.02.
Drifting
Joined: Jan 2012
Posts: 1,341
Likes: 8
From: Hopatcong New Jersey
Eh... Call me crazy but I'm really not worried about parts availability for our cars.
GM produced almost 250,000 C5s so there will always be cars available to scavenge from. Give it a few more years and part outs will be more prevalent since it will be cheaper for the insurance to total them.
GM produced almost 250,000 C5s so there will always be cars available to scavenge from. Give it a few more years and part outs will be more prevalent since it will be cheaper for the insurance to total them.
Tech Contributor
Joined: Aug 1999
Posts: 16,376
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From: Should this thoughtful, valuable contribution meet with no acknowledgement or 'thanks' this post----
yes, I've seen the manual version go for $100 on ebay from time to time...was thinking of grabbing one as an investment!
Racer
Joined: May 2012
Posts: 303
Likes: 0
buyers remorse
Here's the story. The faceplate on my manual (NOT the dual zone head) A/C Heater control has begun to delaminate from heat and age. Cosmetics only, but I figured "what the hay", might as well replace it when I can-right? GM p/n 10447750, AC Delco 15-72690-well it's NLA. Called and e-mailed at least 10 suppliers around the country, and got the same answer-SORRY. Finally found a place in NM that had two and scored. Also, in the process, I had my dealer check his computer and there WERE dealers with NOS sitting on their shelves (at about $520). Lesson here is, that like the steering wheel positioning sensor discussed elsewhere, GM is slowly abandoning parts for these cars that effect their basic functionality. And in my case, there apparently is no work around to retrofit the dual controller to the manual cars. Those who have this system may want to consider "banking" a part for the future if they want to keep the cars long term. My $.02.
:<(
Drifting
Joined: Jan 2012
Posts: 1,341
Likes: 8
From: Hopatcong New Jersey
Wished I had spent as much time as I do now researching the C5 before I bot one. Since Spring when I bot an 03/50th I have now read hundreds of negative features, poor reliability, lack of parts future and many other concerns . Now having been under one for a number of hours I am amazed at some poor GM engeneering and assembly . But Dam I love this car . AS a newby I hope someone with knowledge will build a list, blog/forum of all these future parts problems and weaknesses. Tech forums don't seem to cover them all until they are a problem . Seems like everyone is buying the cars and then rebuilding them so they can trust them. Whether they run them hard or just drive em . Sad commentary for a georgeous car . My $.02 :<(
:<(Nearly every car model has some kind of issue, but that doesn't mean every individual car will suffer from it.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 3,270
Likes: 29
From: Chilliwack B.C.
Eh... Call me crazy but I'm really not worried about parts availability for our cars.
GM produced almost 250,000 C5s so there will always be cars available to scavenge from. Give it a few more years and part outs will be more prevalent since it will be cheaper for the insurance to total them.
GM produced almost 250,000 C5s so there will always be cars available to scavenge from. Give it a few more years and part outs will be more prevalent since it will be cheaper for the insurance to total them.
Keep in mind that these cars are 10-15 years old now, and there are MANY MANY MANY c5s out there that have never had an issue and may never have an issue, you just hear about the ones that do.
Nearly every car model has some kind of issue, but that doesn't mean every individual car will suffer from it.
Nearly every car model has some kind of issue, but that doesn't mean every individual car will suffer from it.
with both of these posts. While it would be great to just go down to the local dealer for all your parts, there's enough out there second hand to fix our cars. Plus the aftermarket keeps adding every year.
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I haven't had to do anything to mine so far (other than the mods I chose to do), but hopefully when something does go wrong, either new or used parts will be available. It is disappointing that so many parts are no longer available new though.
Safety Car
Joined: Dec 2011
Posts: 4,704
Likes: 239
From: Redondo Beach CA
Why people will always pay for a Benz
This situation will keep me from putting a lot of money into the car to build it up, because you never know about the parts support. It's not that much fun to pay a bunch of extra money for a used part because the factory likes planned obsolescence as a business model.
Perhaps I am bitter because I had to pay an inflated price to get a used torque tube shipped across country. Not the best part to select to go used with, but nothing new is available.
It seems to me they want to run high end pricing on the new cars without high end support on the old cars . Perhaps this will change , I hope it doesn't take the miracle I would expect it to require.
I'm not that optimistic as some about used parts. Yes there might be more supply in the future, but it will still all be used and be even older and more worn by then , so you get what you get. The main computer is already in a very messed up parts situation, and the aftermarket will not be building those anytime soon.
I would like to have a high powered up car like some have built, but the availability of some of the more exotic parts make me question the wisdom.
I guess it's just the nature of modern complicated cars.
Perhaps I am bitter because I had to pay an inflated price to get a used torque tube shipped across country. Not the best part to select to go used with, but nothing new is available.
It seems to me they want to run high end pricing on the new cars without high end support on the old cars . Perhaps this will change , I hope it doesn't take the miracle I would expect it to require.
I'm not that optimistic as some about used parts. Yes there might be more supply in the future, but it will still all be used and be even older and more worn by then , so you get what you get. The main computer is already in a very messed up parts situation, and the aftermarket will not be building those anytime soon.
I would like to have a high powered up car like some have built, but the availability of some of the more exotic parts make me question the wisdom.
I guess it's just the nature of modern complicated cars.
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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
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I always remember a sign hanging in one of my favorite junk yards, "All cars run on used parts".