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

Header installed! Now car has problems!?!?!

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old Mar 3, 2014 | 04:03 AM
  #1  
Darkrider02's Avatar
Darkrider02
Thread Starter
Instructor
 
Joined: Aug 2013
Posts: 173
Likes: 0
From: Bay Area Ca
Default Header installed! Now car has problems!?!?!

Hey guys. I just installed longtubes on my 2000 c5 FRC. Codes came up and I accidentally reset the codes and now the engine is hesitating, surging, and bucking while driving. I'm like stepping on the gas and the car isn't going anywhere and all of a sudden it jumps. Either that or I'm stepping on the gas and it hesitates badly and I'd have to restart the car. Can't get a tune till April 10.
Reply
Old Mar 3, 2014 | 04:11 AM
  #2  
skydiven4fun's Avatar
skydiven4fun
Melting Slicks
 
Joined: Dec 2011
Posts: 2,234
Likes: 64
From: Gulf Coast Mississippi
St. Jude Donor '13-'14-'15
Default

Did you hook all 4 0/2 sensors back up, did you delete any of em, Are the wires hooked up correctly (not crossed) unless you accidentally un hooked something it's got to be a crossed wire or wires at the sensors.
I'm just thinking out loud sorta.
Also I'm pretty sure there us a fuse under the hood for the sensors, not sure which one but check it as well.
Reply
Old Mar 3, 2014 | 04:20 AM
  #3  
chassed's Avatar
chassed
Melting Slicks
15 Year Member
 
Joined: May 2009
Posts: 3,110
Likes: 284
From: Rio Rancho New Mexico
Default

Plugs & wires?
Reply
Old Mar 3, 2014 | 04:25 AM
  #4  
Darkrider02's Avatar
Darkrider02
Thread Starter
Instructor
 
Joined: Aug 2013
Posts: 173
Likes: 0
From: Bay Area Ca
Default

Yea they're all good. Car was running as expected after the install of the headers. I didn't have o2 extension at the time so I had to drive it a couple time with the front o2 not running but it was still fine. Then I installed the o2 extensions and it ran fine. I checked the dic to see if the right codes are on and there weren't any other codes that I should be worried about. But then I accidentally reset the codes and then all these problems started happening....
Reply
Old Mar 3, 2014 | 05:37 AM
  #5  
skydiven4fun's Avatar
skydiven4fun
Melting Slicks
 
Joined: Dec 2011
Posts: 2,234
Likes: 64
From: Gulf Coast Mississippi
St. Jude Donor '13-'14-'15
Default

Man good luck, I can't think of anything else off hand that can help, seems like it would be something simple though.
Let us know once you sort it out ok.
Reply
Old Mar 3, 2014 | 06:40 AM
  #6  
warren s's Avatar
warren s
Melting Slicks
20 Year Member
Conversation Starter
All Eyes On Me
Photogenic
 
Joined: Mar 2002
Posts: 2,203
Likes: 63
From: Staten Island NY
Default

Originally Posted by Darkrider02
Yea they're all good. Car was running as expected after the install of the headers. I didn't have o2 extension at the time so I had to drive it a couple time with the front o2 not running but it was still fine. Then I installed the o2 extensions and it ran fine. I checked the dic to see if the right codes are on and there weren't any other codes that I should be worried about. But then I accidentally reset the codes and then all these problems started happening....
Doesn't matter if you reset the codes, if the car isn't running correctly the codes will just come back again after a short time of operation and you can post them.
Reply
Old Mar 3, 2014 | 12:08 PM
  #7  
Darkrider02's Avatar
Darkrider02
Thread Starter
Instructor
 
Joined: Aug 2013
Posts: 173
Likes: 0
From: Bay Area Ca
Default

Well I can barely drive the car so should I start it and let it idle? Check engine light hasn't come on yet.
Reply
Old Mar 3, 2014 | 12:38 PM
  #8  
Clancy209's Avatar
Clancy209
Burning Brakes
Veteran: Navy
 
Joined: Sep 2013
Posts: 969
Likes: 141
From: Staten island NY
Default

Plugs and wires don't go bad after header install, unless they were re connected wrong, get ignition diagram
Reply
Corvette Stories

The Best of Corvette for Corvette Enthusiasts

story-0

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

 Joe Kucinski
story-1

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

 Verdad Gallardo
story-2

Top 10 Corvettes Coming to Mecum Indy 2026!

 Brett Foote
story-3

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

 Michael S. Palmer
story-4

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

 Joe Kucinski
story-5

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

 Michael S. Palmer
story-6

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

 Joe Kucinski
story-7

10 Most Common Corvette Problems of the Last 20 Years!

 Joe Kucinski
story-8

5 MOST and 5 LEAST Popular Corvette Model Years in History!

 Joe Kucinski
story-9

2027 Corvette Buyer's Guide: Everything You Need to Know!

 Joe Kucinski
Old Mar 3, 2014 | 01:04 PM
  #9  
Chicago1's Avatar
Chicago1
Race Director
15 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
 
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 12,413
Likes: 501
From: Rio Rancho NM
Default

You should have codes here shortly and I'm going to guess something isn't hooked up correctly. I would go back and double check your work. All to well have I done the " I know it's right so it's not that" then go back to find out I was incorrect. Start the process over with checking the plugs and wires. insure you didn't break any of the tips off the plugs. If you put new plugs in recheck the gap. Make sure that when you plugged the wires in you heard/felt "2" clicks when plugging into coil pack. if all is good there go bacl to the 4 o2 sensors. Insure nothing got accidently unplugged like the coil pack. you will find the problem if you trace your steps
Reply
Old Mar 3, 2014 | 01:08 PM
  #10  
85corvettec4's Avatar
85corvettec4
Drifting
 
Joined: Aug 2013
Posts: 1,463
Likes: 0
From: Everett Washington
Default

Originally Posted by Chicago1
you will find the problem if you trace your steps
best advice for this circumstance
Reply
Old Mar 3, 2014 | 10:25 PM
  #11  
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: 367,676
Likes: 24,664
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

Good luck. Hope you can find the problem and fix it without too much trouble.
Reply
Old Mar 4, 2014 | 01:55 AM
  #12  
Chicago1's Avatar
Chicago1
Race Director
15 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
 
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 12,413
Likes: 501
From: Rio Rancho NM
Default

I'm gonna go with o2 are hooked up wrong or wires not plugged in..
Reply
Old Mar 4, 2014 | 02:47 AM
  #13  
striper's Avatar
striper
Le Mans Master
15 Year Member
 
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 6,366
Likes: 249
From: Fort Lauderdale, Florida
Default

Sounds exactly like O2 sensors are crossed, they look correct when they are not. Headers alone won't mess up the running, it's definetely something else, wiring?
Reply
Old Mar 4, 2014 | 09:58 AM
  #14  
Varmit's Avatar
Varmit
Team Owner
Supporting Lifetime
15 Year Member
All Eyes On Me
Liked
Loved
 
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 20,800
Likes: 59
From: Tellico Village, Tn
St. Jude Donor '08
Default

did you double check the wire leads going to the O2 sensors to make sure they did not touch the headers and melt through or break one of the O2 sensors. That is what my 99 FRC after header install, ran just like that. Had damaged the passenger's side 02 sensor
Reply
Old Mar 4, 2014 | 11:00 AM
  #15  
STALION's Avatar
STALION
Le Mans Master
15 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
 
Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 5,197
Likes: 190
From: ALL governments are legalized mobsters, so doesn't matter where I live :(
Default

Even though you cleared the codes they should still show up with "H" beside them for history.
Reply
Old Mar 4, 2014 | 01:58 PM
  #16  
Black0ut's Avatar
Black0ut
Instructor
 
Joined: Oct 2011
Posts: 205
Likes: 8
Default

Remove O2 sensors and re-connect. Just make double sure. Maybe run just the fronts. When I installed headers I didn't bother with the rears. It's the fronts that count anyways.

Check the stupid spark plug wires. They have to 'click' into the spark plug. Hard to do with not much room to work and more sharp stuff than a tray of surgical instruments. I accidentally didn't connect one properly and it cause the car to get pretty pissed and was hesitant.
Reply
Old Mar 4, 2014 | 03:38 PM
  #17  
MT0911's Avatar
MT0911
Drifting
10 Year Member
 
Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 1,349
Likes: 3
From: US
Default

Definitely retrace your steps. It just sounds like something isn't hooked up right. Don't stress out over it. Just start from where you finished back to the beginning and check all the connections, unplug & reconnect, etc.

The codes will be there - just let it idle and they will come back if there is an issue. Then post them here.
Reply

Get notified of new replies

To Header installed! Now car has problems!?!?!

Old Mar 4, 2014 | 03:40 PM
  #18  
Chicago1's Avatar
Chicago1
Race Director
15 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
 
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 12,413
Likes: 501
From: Rio Rancho NM
Default

Reply
Old Mar 4, 2014 | 11:52 PM
  #19  
o2bnkc's Avatar
o2bnkc
Melting Slicks
Veteran: Navy
20 Year Member
Liked
Community Favorite
 
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 2,989
Likes: 352
From: Carson City Nevada
Default

Just from reading your problems here, I would start at the plug wires and make sure they were hooked up correctly. It sounds like the firing order is messed up, but I just reread your post and you stated that it ran fine at first, so I'm not so sure now. Hmmmm..... Don't get frustrated. Just go back through everything and it will be something obvious. It always is. Good luck.
Reply
Old Mar 4, 2014 | 11:56 PM
  #20  
85corvettec4's Avatar
85corvettec4
Drifting
 
Joined: Aug 2013
Posts: 1,463
Likes: 0
From: Everett Washington
Default

check the ceramics for cracks on the plugs would be a good start
Reply



All times are GMT -4. The time now is 08:06 AM.

story-0
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-1
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-2
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-3
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-4
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-5
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-6
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-7
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
story-8
5 MOST and 5 LEAST Popular Corvette Model Years in History!

Slideshow: 5 most and least popular Corvette model years.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-04-08 13:25:01


VIEW MORE
story-9
2027 Corvette Buyer's Guide: Everything You Need to Know!

Slideshow: 2027 Corvette buyer's guide

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-04-17 16:41:08


VIEW MORE