Why so many electrical problems with C5's?
#21
Drifting
Sorry ahead of time but you've owned your C5 for 18 years, it hits one little snag, and you're considering selling because so many others deal with electrical problems also? That's a little extreme. It's 90s GM. 80s GM had it's issues (fuel injection) and 90s GM has it's issues. 2nd week into ownership of my '99 I had service column lock issues requiring me installing a CLB and fifth week of ownership I was hit with ABS/Traction issues that have been intermittent. Nothing has severely sidelined the car though and honestly a C5 has been one of the most reliable used vehicles I've owned, not to mention one of the easiest vehicles I think I've ever worked on (and I try to do everything myself).
ANY modern "older" vehicle is like this, and will continue to be like this. C6s will have their issues. C7s will have their issues. All the modern cars with parking sensors, reverse cams, and proprietary info-tainment systems will have their issues when they hit 20 years old. It's part of owning an "old" car, and C5s are OOOOLLLLLLDDDDdddddd. Plus why consider selling now? C5s are at their absolute lowest point in private and retail value. Even a '99 with less than 30K miles would have a VERY hard time selling for $12K-$13K + in this current market. If people actually drove their 10,000 mile C5s more the market would begin to adjust.
ANY modern "older" vehicle is like this, and will continue to be like this. C6s will have their issues. C7s will have their issues. All the modern cars with parking sensors, reverse cams, and proprietary info-tainment systems will have their issues when they hit 20 years old. It's part of owning an "old" car, and C5s are OOOOLLLLLLDDDDdddddd. Plus why consider selling now? C5s are at their absolute lowest point in private and retail value. Even a '99 with less than 30K miles would have a VERY hard time selling for $12K-$13K + in this current market. If people actually drove their 10,000 mile C5s more the market would begin to adjust.
#22
Safety Car
I brought it out of storage ,not a good thing . If hot stored in a heated and cooled storage area going to have problems .. The C-5s need to be driven . I have 85,000 on my 04 Z with no Electoral problems so far . Condensation from sitting is one of the worst things that can happen to any auto ,all car trucks need to be driven if just around the block from time to time ,the parts need to get hot drives the moisture out of them ..
#23
Drifting
I agree the red top may be the problem. They are junk batteries now. Yellow tops are a bit better but optima should be generally avoided. I always get active handling and ABS warnings when I use an optima.
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digitaloutsider (01-09-2018)
#25
#26
Safety Car
Right , that was just a saying old school guys say ( need to drive around the block ) What I was saying need to drive the deal and get it hot from time to time keeps them running way better ..
#27
I don't know about that. I've been seeing plenty of pre '01 models with less than 30K miles where the sellers are asking $17k-$18K...now whether or not they're selling for that much, I don't know, but apparently a lot of sellers seem to think these cars are worth a lot more than $12K or $13k...
#28
Team Owner
But in the OP's situation, a LONG storage, most likely killed the battery, which is most likely the cause of his issues.
#30
Drifting
er
ER ah it's a 20 year old car. Some of the electronics where kinda experimental at the time and manufactured in Mexico or Canada. Most of the failures will not stop the car from going down the road. Active handling, for instance, I unplugged the Steering Wheel Sensor to keep it from doing crazy stuff. That's why they put RESET button on dash. A good tuner can program out most of the crazy stuff. Drive and have fun
I have been driving Chevrolet's since I was old enough to drive. When I bought my 99 C5 18 years ago I had every intention of keeping this car for many years. A few months ago I brought it out of storage, I have had the service ABS come on my dash several times. I find this to be an aggravation and really don't want to deal with it. After reading so many posts of others experiencing the same thing it's obvious this is an on going problem that GM should have corrected. I don't know if there have been any service bulletins in regards to this problem, maybe someone can chime in. I'm starting to question myself as to weather I want to sell or ride it out and hope for the best. Being retired I know if I sell it will not be replaced.Anyone else share these same feelings ?
Last edited by UM Rebel; 01-05-2018 at 07:16 AM.
#31
Le Mans Master
Thanks everyone for the comments, I am watching the codes and I did replace my 10 year old red top recently with another red top. It is below zero here in the Midwest once it warms up a little I'll drive the car and see how it does. I guess we have reached a point where whatever we drive there are going to be issues. I have a 22 year old Camry that was purchased new and the only problem has been a coil go bad about a year ago. Looking back I wish I still had my 68 Camaro SS or my 65 Corvette, much less to deal with. I remember how easy it was to install headers on my Camaro, there was actually room to work.
#32
Le Mans Master
I got my C-5, back when they were having leaking issues with the OE battery. When my C-5 was two years old, in '03, I installed an Optima red top. I simply replace them every 5 years, no questions.....
But in the OP's situation, a LONG storage, most likely killed the battery, which is most likely the cause of his issues.
But in the OP's situation, a LONG storage, most likely killed the battery, which is most likely the cause of his issues.
#33
Team Owner
#34
Pro
#35
Pro
I was running into some weird glitches every now and then, and I did two things:
1. Got a new 1000 CA Interstate Battery, and keep it in on a Battery Tender.
2. Cleaned the various grounds in the engine compartment.
This really helped to settle things down. I think I ran into maybe one or two strange things on start up that went away on ignition cycle the entire 2017 season. Helped alot.
1. Got a new 1000 CA Interstate Battery, and keep it in on a Battery Tender.
2. Cleaned the various grounds in the engine compartment.
This really helped to settle things down. I think I ran into maybe one or two strange things on start up that went away on ignition cycle the entire 2017 season. Helped alot.
#36
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#37
Melting Slicks
My old man has two pre interstate blue top optimas in his boat that are about 12 years old and still start his boat no problem.