New C5 Owner
Advanced
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 82
Likes: 18
From: Maple Valley, 25 miles from Seattle WA.
Congrats on the new ride. I've had my '98 for ten years, sweet car by any measure.
I've have these problems which you may want to be head's up for in your's:
Passenger window won't lower (sticky mechanism, remove door panel and whack the motor with a hammer).
Oil pressure sender fails pegging the needle at 80 and the DIC at 130 psi (replace).
Heater/AC display goes dark (cracked solder joints on circuit board, remove and repair).
Fuel gauge suddenly drops to zero (not sure what the deal is with that, never looked into it but I make a mental note of fuel level whenever I start the car).
Starter motor failed (DIY and easy repair if it fails in your garage, be prepared to raise the car front to rear, remove the exhaust to get access to the starter, replace).
Spark plugs (routine maintenance but this is the only car I've ever owned that I actually paid to have the plugs replaced).
Head light adjustment (easy but squirt a lubricant on the adjusting screw mechanism(s) first).
Head lights are lame in general (the C5's are not well done, if night driving is a big deal, you may want to replace the bulbs/up grade, countless information on this is posted).
Check this forum and YouTube for these and other possible issues.
I've have these problems which you may want to be head's up for in your's:
Passenger window won't lower (sticky mechanism, remove door panel and whack the motor with a hammer).
Oil pressure sender fails pegging the needle at 80 and the DIC at 130 psi (replace).
Heater/AC display goes dark (cracked solder joints on circuit board, remove and repair).
Fuel gauge suddenly drops to zero (not sure what the deal is with that, never looked into it but I make a mental note of fuel level whenever I start the car).
Starter motor failed (DIY and easy repair if it fails in your garage, be prepared to raise the car front to rear, remove the exhaust to get access to the starter, replace).
Spark plugs (routine maintenance but this is the only car I've ever owned that I actually paid to have the plugs replaced).
Head light adjustment (easy but squirt a lubricant on the adjusting screw mechanism(s) first).
Head lights are lame in general (the C5's are not well done, if night driving is a big deal, you may want to replace the bulbs/up grade, countless information on this is posted).
Check this forum and YouTube for these and other possible issues.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 8,700
Likes: 298
From: Ft. Lauderdale Fl
Congrats on the new ride. I've had my '98 for ten years, sweet car by any measure.
I've have these problems which you may want to be head's up for in your's:
Passenger window won't lower (sticky mechanism, remove door panel and whack the motor with a hammer).
Oil pressure sender fails pegging the needle at 80 and the DIC at 130 psi (replace).
Heater/AC display goes dark (cracked solder joints on circuit board, remove and repair).
Fuel gauge suddenly drops to zero (not sure what the deal is with that, never looked into it but I make a mental note of fuel level whenever I start the car).
Starter motor failed (DIY and easy repair if it fails in your garage, be prepared to raise the car front to rear, remove the exhaust to get access to the starter, replace).
Spark plugs (routine maintenance but this is the only car I've ever owned that I actually paid to have the plugs replaced).
Head light adjustment (easy but squirt a lubricant on the adjusting screw mechanism(s) first).
Head lights are lame in general (the C5's are not well done, if night driving is a big deal, you may want to replace the bulbs/up grade, countless information on this is posted).
Check this forum and YouTube for these and other possible issues.
I've have these problems which you may want to be head's up for in your's:
Passenger window won't lower (sticky mechanism, remove door panel and whack the motor with a hammer).
Oil pressure sender fails pegging the needle at 80 and the DIC at 130 psi (replace).
Heater/AC display goes dark (cracked solder joints on circuit board, remove and repair).
Fuel gauge suddenly drops to zero (not sure what the deal is with that, never looked into it but I make a mental note of fuel level whenever I start the car).
Starter motor failed (DIY and easy repair if it fails in your garage, be prepared to raise the car front to rear, remove the exhaust to get access to the starter, replace).
Spark plugs (routine maintenance but this is the only car I've ever owned that I actually paid to have the plugs replaced).
Head light adjustment (easy but squirt a lubricant on the adjusting screw mechanism(s) first).
Head lights are lame in general (the C5's are not well done, if night driving is a big deal, you may want to replace the bulbs/up grade, countless information on this is posted).
Check this forum and YouTube for these and other possible issues.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 886
Likes: 87
From: Largo FL
Congratulations on your new Corvette. I remember how exciting it was when I bought my first one in 78, and now on # 8, a 97 black on black.
The single most important thing in my book to check first is the tires. Obviously check the tread remaining, but also look at the date code and make sure they are not too old, everyone has their own opinion, but 5 years is about my break point. After that the rubber becomes somewhat hard and does not stick to road which can cause big problems. Many of us don't like the run flats that originally came with the car, and change out to regular tires. Makes a big difference in handling and especially road noise, IMHO.
The single most important thing in my book to check first is the tires. Obviously check the tread remaining, but also look at the date code and make sure they are not too old, everyone has their own opinion, but 5 years is about my break point. After that the rubber becomes somewhat hard and does not stick to road which can cause big problems. Many of us don't like the run flats that originally came with the car, and change out to regular tires. Makes a big difference in handling and especially road noise, IMHO.
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: Jan 2017
Posts: 49
Likes: 2
From: Camdenton Missouri
Man what a welcome....Thanks guys! I got it home last night and put it in the garage. Two inches of snow on the ground in Missouri, so I guess it will give me time to go through it. First thing is to remove the dealership stickers on the back
As soon as the weathers nice I'll figure out how to post pictures.
As soon as the weathers nice I'll figure out how to post pictures.
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Verdad Gallardo
Advanced
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 82
Likes: 18
From: Maple Valley, 25 miles from Seattle WA.
To follow up on my posting above #22, I found this thread about the fuel gauge going to zero:
https://www.corvetteforum.com/forums...when-full.html
Without reading the entire comment stream, it appears to come down to sulfur deposits causing the fuel sender to malfunction. The solution is to use an additive such as Seafoam or Techron to remove the deposits. It may take a few tank full treatments so say the posters but they all seem to agree it works.
I haven't experienced the gauge suddenly dropping to zero in recent years, but it has happened a few times since I acquired the car in 2005. I think I'll pick up some Techron next time I'm at the auto parts store or at a Chevron station. What the heck, it can't hurt. By the way, I had a garden tractor which had a carb absolutely plugged with what was apparently corn sludge. Once I cleaned it out, the engine ran just like new and continues to do so.
https://www.corvetteforum.com/forums...when-full.html
Without reading the entire comment stream, it appears to come down to sulfur deposits causing the fuel sender to malfunction. The solution is to use an additive such as Seafoam or Techron to remove the deposits. It may take a few tank full treatments so say the posters but they all seem to agree it works.
I haven't experienced the gauge suddenly dropping to zero in recent years, but it has happened a few times since I acquired the car in 2005. I think I'll pick up some Techron next time I'm at the auto parts store or at a Chevron station. What the heck, it can't hurt. By the way, I had a garden tractor which had a carb absolutely plugged with what was apparently corn sludge. Once I cleaned it out, the engine ran just like new and continues to do so.