We constantly hear the comments about pre 2001 C5's being subject to possible loss of ABS due to failure of the ebcm. Because of this possibility people are told that the early cars are not a good choice for purchase if a newer car is affordable.

Two part question. Not related to auto cross or track driving. How many people driving C5's have ever actually engaged the brakes and activated the ABS? And, if you did engage the ABS, did it keep your car from colliding with another?

 

Yes and yes.

 

 

Yes and no.

 

Yes and no
I wish I could turn it off when I wanted.

 

Why can't you?

 

Because I don't know how? Can you enlighten me?

 

Curious as well. I know in other vehicles I could just pull the fuse.

 

Sorry I was confused, I was thinking AH/TC.
As far as abs goes, When I had mine out for repair I was able to drive it just fine, Maybe just unplug the unit?

 

No worries. I was only re-living the good old days of threshold braking.

 

Don't mean to hijack the thread but I wonder if there is a way to permanently delete all TC/AH/ABS systems from C5's. I'm not talking about disabling and living with error codes on the dash. I mean completely; no codes or other issues. I don't have problems with mine but these cars are not getting any younger. Someone must have thought of this.

 

http://www.nhtsa.gov/cars/problems/e...4-26-2013.html

 

You're not capable of disengaging the ABS, but you think you're capable of reacting and braking better than the ABS?

 

Yes to both questions.

 

It helps to stay

 

I originally asked this question due to the number of posts advising against purchase of pre 2001 cars due to possible ebcm failure.

With 342 views and 14 responses it seems like the possible loss of ABS braking isn't all that much of a big deal to C5 drivers.

Thanks to all who participated.

 

That number of posts are from a select few with issues and BY NO MEANS typical of a pre 2001 experiance as the thousands on the road make their concern less than worth a footnote.

I also don't think you will find anyone claiming to have feet that can modulate better then ABS. With that said, I don't believe it makes that much of a real world difference anyway. To back up my ststement, below is a list of fatalities % relative to the population since we started packing cars with these "safety" toy's. Hint: It hasn't changed much.

1990 44,599 2,144.36 2.08 249,464,396 17.878 positive decrease-3.19%
1991 41,508 2,172.05 1.91 252,153,092 16.461 positive decrease-7.92%
1992 39,250 2,247.15 1.75 255,029,699 15.390 positive decrease-6.51%
1993 40,150 2,296.38 1.75 257,782,608 15.575 negative increase1.20%
1994 40,716 2,358 1.73 260,327,021 15.6403 negative increase0.42%
1995 41,817 2,423 1.73 262,803,276 15.9119 negative increase1.74%
1996 42,065 2,486 1.69 265,228,572 15.8599 positive decrease-0.33%
1997 42,013 2,562 1.64 267,783,607 15.6892 positive decrease-1.08%
1998 41,501 2,632 1.58 270,248,003 15.3566 positive decrease-2.12%
1999 41,717 2,691 1.55 272,690,813 15.2983 positive decrease-0.38%
2000 41,945 2,747 1.53 282,216,952 14.8627 positive decrease-2.85%
2001[2] 42,196 2,797 1.51 285,226,284 14.81 positive decrease-0.46%
2002 43,005 2,856 1.51 288,125,973 14.95 negative increase0.89%
2003 42,884 2,890 1.48 290,796,023 14.78 positive decrease-1.75%
2004 42,836 2,965 1.44 293,638,158 14.63 positive decrease-0.52%
2005 43,510 2,989 1.46 296,507,061 14.72 negative increase0.44%
2006 42,708 3,014 1.42 299,398,484 14.31 positive decrease-2.79%
2007 41,259 3,031 1.36 301,139,947 13.70 positive decrease-3.85%
2008 37,423 2,977 1.26 303,824,640 12.31 positive decrease-11.0%
2009 33,883 2,957 1.15 306,700,000 11.05 positive decrease-9.7%
2010 [2] 32,999 2,967 1.11 309,326,000 10.668 positive decrease-3.5%
2011[4] 32,479 2,950 1.10 311,588,000 10.424 positive decrease-2.3%
2012[1] 33,561 2,969 1.13 313,914,000 10.691 negative increase2.6%

 

I would have to say No and No to the OP's question. I have a '98 and am not concerned about the EBCM failing. If it does I will just keep clearing the codes until there is a fix for it. But I will keep enjoying the car until then.

 

You have hit my position directly. My 2000 is a non active handling car and currently has no ebcm issues at 14 years of age and 106,000 miles. If I should lose ABS ability it won't keep me from driving and enjoying the car and the lack of active ABS would not keep me from purchasing an otherwise fine car.

 

I have noticed the almost immediate response of some who will advise against buying a pre-2001 car when prospective buyer ask for input. While it is important to educate yourself about all the pro's and con's, We can do a disservice by being too biased. I recall one poster who bought a Z06 and was lamenting all the problems he encountered with in the first few months of ownership. He might have been happier with an early model purchase. I suggest people buy the car they like and suits there pocket book.