check gages light?
Thread Starter
8th Gear
Joined: Aug 2013
Posts: 8
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check gages light?
Hey everyone! I'm new to the forum as I'm currently searching for my first vette! 
I'm up in Milwaukee, Wisconsin and I'm looking at a C5 in Texas that has the following picture. In particular, I'm looking at the "check gages" light that is lit up in the picture. Is this something that would show up if they put the key in but didn't start the car to take the picture, or is it something that only lights up if there is actually a problem?
I'm planning on hiring a 3rd party inspector before giving them any money, but if this definitely is a problem I could at least save my money on the inspector. The dealer (Texas Auto Direct) seems a bit shady... they were given an F from the Better Business Bureau, so I need to make sure I cover all my bases if I end up buying from them.
Also, if anyone has any buying advice, I'm all ears!
I'm up in Milwaukee, Wisconsin and I'm looking at a C5 in Texas that has the following picture. In particular, I'm looking at the "check gages" light that is lit up in the picture. Is this something that would show up if they put the key in but didn't start the car to take the picture, or is it something that only lights up if there is actually a problem?
I'm planning on hiring a 3rd party inspector before giving them any money, but if this definitely is a problem I could at least save my money on the inspector. The dealer (Texas Auto Direct) seems a bit shady... they were given an F from the Better Business Bureau, so I need to make sure I cover all my bases if I end up buying from them.
Also, if anyone has any buying advice, I'm all ears!
Tech Contributor
Joined: Dec 2003
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From: Horncastle Lincolnshire, England
2023 C5 of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
To make sure, ask them to run the codes on the DIC and have them send you the results. That will show any current problems on the car.
Race Director
Joined: Jul 2007
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From: Reno is so close to Hell you can see Sparks , State Of Confusion
St. Jude Donor '12-'13-'14
Looks like the car wasn't started, No rpm showing, Start the car and see if it goes away. Also out of gas, That will make the cel come on.
Team Owner
Joined: May 2001
Posts: 36,836
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From: Dear Karma, I have a list of people you missed.
St. Jude Donor '08-'09-'10-'11-'12-'13-'14-'15-'16
It seems from that picture the fuel tank is empty. 
"Check gauges" is completely different from "Check Engine". "Check Gauges" will not only show up on the HUD when fuel level is low (or empty), but also on the face of the IPC panel (witten in red), as well.
To be sure, "Check Gauges" can mean several different things i.e. low fuel, high engine temp, high (or low) battery voltage, etc. It doesn't indicate WHAT'S wrong, but it just draws your attention to check all your gauges for something needing your attention right away. Most of the time most people see it when low on fuel.
HTH
"Check gauges" is completely different from "Check Engine". "Check Gauges" will not only show up on the HUD when fuel level is low (or empty), but also on the face of the IPC panel (witten in red), as well.
To be sure, "Check Gauges" can mean several different things i.e. low fuel, high engine temp, high (or low) battery voltage, etc. It doesn't indicate WHAT'S wrong, but it just draws your attention to check all your gauges for something needing your attention right away. Most of the time most people see it when low on fuel.
HTH
Team Owner
Joined: May 2001
Posts: 36,836
Likes: 244
From: Dear Karma, I have a list of people you missed.
St. Jude Donor '08-'09-'10-'11-'12-'13-'14-'15-'16
Here's a (blurry) picture I found online of a typical C5 HUD display. Notice the small fuel pump icon in your picture shows no vertical "bars" next to it, indicating low fuel or empty fuel. Now look at the HUD display on the right and it's fuel level indicates "Full".
Thread Starter
8th Gear
Joined: Aug 2013
Posts: 8
Likes: 0
Thanks for the responses everyone! To answer your question... I thought about walking away after seeing that rating, but pretty much all of the claims reported to BBB could have been avoided by getting a 3rd party inspection. I don't need to finance, so that simplifies things. And if the car is as they say it is, it'a priced well. I'm looking for a C5 with the Z-51 suspension package (I'm an autocrosser), and frankly, there's not many of those around, and even fewer are priced well with low miles.
