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My First Vette! Suggestions
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: May 2015
Posts: 26
Likes: 0
From: Sioux Falls South Dakota
My First Vette! Suggestions
Hello to everyone, I just got my first C5 vette. I found a trade partner and we swapped vehicles... my 2003 BMW Z4 for his 99 FRC Vette. It has 119k miles on it but everything runs well, no CEL or other issues on the dash panel. I do live in the Midwest and it was quite cold when we swapped cars and by the time I got home there was a decent chirp coming from the belts (or I'm assuming it is the belt, perhaps a pulley). I am thinking about replacing the serpentine belt as I'm assuming that is the issue. Other than the chirping the only other thing is that the drivers side rear side marker bracket is busted so the light hangs down. I can't seem to find the replacement brackets or bulbs for that light online, so if someone is able to help me out there I'd appreciate it.
Besides that I'm loving the car. Very excited to get into a Vette.
Besides that I'm loving the car. Very excited to get into a Vette.
Drifting
Joined: Mar 2013
Posts: 1,496
Likes: 353
From: Little Rock Arkansas
There are a lot of issues that plague C5's in the serpentine belt area. At the very least you may simply need a new belt (it's less than 15 mins to change one out and roughly $20 if you don't want to go with a Gatorback). Mid may be that you need a new belt tensioner. Also not too bad of a job as it's fairly easy to reach. At the worst you may need a new harmonic balancer. They're pressed into the car from the factory and over time begin to wobble. If there is wobble then replacement should be pursued immediately.
If the rear corner light is hanging then one of the mount studs may be damaged. It is affixed to the rear by two bolts, one on each stud, through the rear quarter assembly. You can access it by removing the outer most rear tail light and looking inside. You should be able to reach the studs that way.
EDIT:
Also since this is your first C5 read the stickies regarding common issues. At that mileage you will want to check for things like if a column lock bypass has been installed.
If the rear corner light is hanging then one of the mount studs may be damaged. It is affixed to the rear by two bolts, one on each stud, through the rear quarter assembly. You can access it by removing the outer most rear tail light and looking inside. You should be able to reach the studs that way.
EDIT:
Also since this is your first C5 read the stickies regarding common issues. At that mileage you will want to check for things like if a column lock bypass has been installed.
Last edited by Velocity_Vette; Jan 2, 2016 at 11:49 AM.
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: May 2015
Posts: 26
Likes: 0
From: Sioux Falls South Dakota
There are a lot of issues that plague C5's in the serpentine belt area. At the very least you may simply need a new belt (it's less than 15 mins to change one out and roughly $20 if you don't want to go with a Gatorback). Mid may be that you need a new belt tensioner. Also not too bad of a job as it's fairly easy to reach. At the worst you may need a new harmonic balancer. They're pressed into the car from the factory and over time begin to wobble. If there is wobble then replacement should be pursued immediately.
If the rear corner light is hanging then one of the mount studs may be damaged. It is affixed to the rear by two bolts, one on each stud, through the rear quarter assembly. You can access it by removing the outer most rear tail light and looking inside. You should be able to reach the studs that way.
EDIT:
Also since this is your first C5 read the stickies regarding common issues. At that mileage you will want to check for things like if a column lock bypass has been installed.
If the rear corner light is hanging then one of the mount studs may be damaged. It is affixed to the rear by two bolts, one on each stud, through the rear quarter assembly. You can access it by removing the outer most rear tail light and looking inside. You should be able to reach the studs that way.
EDIT:
Also since this is your first C5 read the stickies regarding common issues. At that mileage you will want to check for things like if a column lock bypass has been installed.
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Burning Brakes
Joined: Dec 2011
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From: Medford, Oregon
From looking at your pics, it looks like you have the same dreaded FRC drip rail cracks. I would check to see if you have any roof line water leak issue's (stained or delaminating headliner edges,sun visors, carpet wetness,etc.). FRC's tend to have these issues, and if you have any concerns please fill free to PM. Have fun brother !! 
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If your rear side marker lights are indeed broke, you should be able to find a replacement from either your dealer or one of the major Corvette aftermarket vendors. Simple to replace once you take the outboard rear taillight assembly out.
BTW, nice looking FRC you bought.
BTW, nice looking FRC you bought.
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: May 2015
Posts: 26
Likes: 0
From: Sioux Falls South Dakota
If your rear side marker lights are indeed broke, you should be able to find a replacement from either your dealer or one of the major Corvette aftermarket vendors. Simple to replace once you take the outboard rear taillight assembly out.
BTW, nice looking FRC you bought.
BTW, nice looking FRC you bought.
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: May 2015
Posts: 26
Likes: 0
From: Sioux Falls South Dakota
There are a lot of issues that plague C5's in the serpentine belt area. At the very least you may simply need a new belt (it's less than 15 mins to change one out and roughly $20 if you don't want to go with a Gatorback). Mid may be that you need a new belt tensioner. Also not too bad of a job as it's fairly easy to reach. At the worst you may need a new harmonic balancer. They're pressed into the car from the factory and over time begin to wobble. If there is wobble then replacement should be pursued immediately.
If the rear corner light is hanging then one of the mount studs may be damaged. It is affixed to the rear by two bolts, one on each stud, through the rear quarter assembly. You can access it by removing the outer most rear tail light and looking inside. You should be able to reach the studs that way.
EDIT:
Also since this is your first C5 read the stickies regarding common issues. At that mileage you will want to check for things like if a column lock bypass has been installed.
If the rear corner light is hanging then one of the mount studs may be damaged. It is affixed to the rear by two bolts, one on each stud, through the rear quarter assembly. You can access it by removing the outer most rear tail light and looking inside. You should be able to reach the studs that way.
EDIT:
Also since this is your first C5 read the stickies regarding common issues. At that mileage you will want to check for things like if a column lock bypass has been installed.
Drifting
Joined: Mar 2013
Posts: 1,496
Likes: 353
From: Little Rock Arkansas
Thanks for the advice! I will start it back up today and check for any wobble in the harmonic balancer. I won't be driving it for a few months as it is quite cold up here in South Dakota, so I have time to figure out my next steps. Regarding the serpentine belt, is the gatorback worth the cost?
I just checked the harmonic balancer while the car was running and there was some slight wobble. I guess it is quite subjective so I will have to check a bit further regarding the severity of wobble. Is the water bottle test the best one to figure out if it's a bad pulley or belt?
There is some subjectiveness to pulley wobble. Some have had their pulleys wobble within 20,000 miles of new car ownership back in the day. Some have gone longer. If it is wobbling it will eventually begin to wobble to a degree where it will either throw a belt or cause physical damage to surrounding parts. Replacement will involve either removing the steering rack or partially dropping the front sub frame. It is a bit of a hassle. The good thing is that this would give you opportunity to perform a good first mod. Many for higher HP application "pin" the pulley to the crank (something you can do if you eventually plan a power adder later on down the road) or install one of the popular under drive pulleys.
Pro
Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 660
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From: Tustin California
If the balancer is bad, might as well supercharge while you've got it torn down!! Thats the hardest part of the supercharger install. Enjoy that car and drive it like you stole it!! (legally of course).
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