Ebcm question and complaint
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 798
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From: Notorious Miami sunny south florida
Ebcm question and complaint
I have a 1998 coupe I was just wondering is there another GM model the the ebcm is interchangable with my better GM is pretty generic when it comes to it's parts with other HM parts being used on various cars I've already complained to GM & the NHASA they could care less about a highly dangerous situation even though GM suggest you drive with the traction control on at all times just looking for a fix I can't believe there's no fix and No replacement part for GM so called flagship shame on you GM
Racer
Joined: Mar 2018
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To add to VetteMed's comment, GM didn't even make the part, Bosch did, and they stated when asked about this ages ago, that they will never produce the part again. And no, it's not interchangeable with any other GM car.
Le Mans Master
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From: Virginia
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Sorry to hear that this has happened to you. However, this is a very well known and very well documented issue. As mentioned these are older cars. The C8 Corvette is GM's flagship. The C5 stopped being the flagship 17 years ago. With that said, GM DID resolve this issue when they updated the EBCM halfway through the model run. The EBCM issue is the single biggest risk to owning the older model C5. It is also a big reason for why the early cars are so much cheaper than the newer C5s. Unfortunately, your best bet will be to source a used EBCM. Expect to pay $1500.00+ for the part alone. I really wish I had better news for you. Good luck resolving your issue.
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It is unfortunate that the early C5 EBCM is not available new or cannot be repaired, but that happens when cars get to a certain age. The car can still be driven, you just need to take extra precautions when driving.
Pro
Joined: Oct 2006
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The EBCM on my 2002 hasn't worked for years. I believe replacements are/were available, but it is a cost issue rather than an availability issue. It was fixed once by ABSFixer for a C1214 code, but after a year or two got both a C1214 and a solenoid code.
Safety Car
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A 23 year old car has electrical problems? Say it ain't so.
A manufacturer is really only obligated to maintain parts availability while the vehicles are under warranty, to satisfy warranty claims. But even that's just a matter of practicality: there's no actual federal law of any kind that says parts need to be made available. That's why the aftermarket exists.
Build a better mouse trap, as they say, and they will beat a path to your door.
A manufacturer is really only obligated to maintain parts availability while the vehicles are under warranty, to satisfy warranty claims. But even that's just a matter of practicality: there's no actual federal law of any kind that says parts need to be made available. That's why the aftermarket exists.
Build a better mouse trap, as they say, and they will beat a path to your door.
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Le Mans Master
Joined: Aug 2005
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From: Merritt Island, FL
A 23 year old car has electrical problems? Say it ain't so.
A manufacturer is really only obligated to maintain parts availability while the vehicles are under warranty, to satisfy warranty claims. But even that's just a matter of practicality: there's no actual federal law of any kind that says parts need to be made available. That's why the aftermarket exists.
Build a better mouse trap, as they say, and they will beat a path to your door.
A manufacturer is really only obligated to maintain parts availability while the vehicles are under warranty, to satisfy warranty claims. But even that's just a matter of practicality: there's no actual federal law of any kind that says parts need to be made available. That's why the aftermarket exists.
Build a better mouse trap, as they say, and they will beat a path to your door.
Safety Car
Joined: Dec 2011
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From: Redondo Beach CA
I will spare you all the numerous folk sayings about haste and regret and wish you well.
Myself, I knew nothing about the line, it could have happened to me, but luckily I chanced to buy a later year when the parts were more standardized, so I will be able to junkyard from a lot more production when I cross that bridge.
GM printed out the circuit diagrams , so they are copyrighted like literature, not like ordinary car parts, so don't expect the aftermarket to ride to the rescue. Plus the were manufactured with interdependent layers of wireless film construction, so disassembly for repairs effectively destroys the unit. Loose connectors can be satisfactorily repaired , but that is about it, so far. Apparently the digital code used is not that common throughout the GM line.
I was recently checking out Jay Leno's garage where some super collector said he sold his hard to obtain, even for collectors, hypercar , after only a brief ownership because it had so much exotic tech, he figured parts would be unobtainable in ten years, and he likes to drive his cars.
I suppose one could replace the entire system, given enough skill , I don't even know enough to speculate about that.
Myself, I knew nothing about the line, it could have happened to me, but luckily I chanced to buy a later year when the parts were more standardized, so I will be able to junkyard from a lot more production when I cross that bridge.
GM printed out the circuit diagrams , so they are copyrighted like literature, not like ordinary car parts, so don't expect the aftermarket to ride to the rescue. Plus the were manufactured with interdependent layers of wireless film construction, so disassembly for repairs effectively destroys the unit. Loose connectors can be satisfactorily repaired , but that is about it, so far. Apparently the digital code used is not that common throughout the GM line.
I was recently checking out Jay Leno's garage where some super collector said he sold his hard to obtain, even for collectors, hypercar , after only a brief ownership because it had so much exotic tech, he figured parts would be unobtainable in ten years, and he likes to drive his cars.
I suppose one could replace the entire system, given enough skill , I don't even know enough to speculate about that.
Safety Car
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You think you have problems wait till the C8 pass's
the 10 year mark. Electic tech is great when it works
but look out after the parts are not available.
My suggestion to the OP ,find yourself a good used
part.
Good luck
the 10 year mark. Electic tech is great when it works
but look out after the parts are not available.
My suggestion to the OP ,find yourself a good used
part.
Good luck
Melting Slicks
Joined: Nov 2014
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From: Havre de Grace Maryland
I am sorry for for your issue. It is unfortunate that Bosch would release the schematics so 3rd party suppliers could make an after market copy. One would think GM with its purchasing power could 'encourage' BOSH to release them, even for some royalty consideration. Except for the Vette, I will not own a GM car.
Safety Car
Joined: May 2015
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Ordinarily... But we're talking GM here! They, GM, the company... Yeah right.. not giving a damn about ole C5 customers... with their broken product ....just wonderful.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jun 2013
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From: West Virginia
My C5 went past 25 years this summer. It's well past its "sell by" date, and I don't really expect GM to stock parts any more. 10 years is the usual for parts support for the mass manufacturers. Now, if you had an old Benz, you can get parts. They will make them for you if necessary, but they are murderously expensive. A replacement hydraulic window switch for the old 600 Grosser M-B is $11k.
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This really isn't that big a deal-- I see ebcm's all the time at swap meets and online sites. It's not a question of not being able to fix it, it's just an expensive part. I lucked out a while back and found someone that was getting rid of several, and purchased the entire lot for IIRc what worked out to be under $800 a piece, and rememberd back then thinking I over paid.
Same issue on my '67 vette-- some parts just aren't made and the aftermarket hasn't stepped up, and they can be expensive.. should GM continue to make parts for a 50+ year old car?
get a used part, convert to the 01 or newer, or just learn to drive without it. Not a big deal.
Same issue on my '67 vette-- some parts just aren't made and the aftermarket hasn't stepped up, and they can be expensive.. should GM continue to make parts for a 50+ year old car?
get a used part, convert to the 01 or newer, or just learn to drive without it. Not a big deal.
Race Director
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1st, 2nd. and 3rd gen Vipers never had TC or any of its nannies.
You get used to it. Now it would bother me looking at the lights on the dash, but not so much not having the functionality. If that can be written off with a tune, then problem solved.
Unfortunately for C5 owners though, I think the cruise control goes out with the TC as well.
You get used to it. Now it would bother me looking at the lights on the dash, but not so much not having the functionality. If that can be written off with a tune, then problem solved.
Unfortunately for C5 owners though, I think the cruise control goes out with the TC as well.
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From: US
1st, 2nd. and 3rd gen Vipers never had TC or any of its nannies.
You get used to it. Now it would bother me looking at the lights on the dash, but not so much not having the functionality. If that can be written off with a tune, then problem solved.
Unfortunately for C5 owners though, I think the cruise control goes out with the TC as well.
You get used to it. Now it would bother me looking at the lights on the dash, but not so much not having the functionality. If that can be written off with a tune, then problem solved.
Unfortunately for C5 owners though, I think the cruise control goes out with the TC as well.
Safety Car
Joined: Jan 2019
Posts: 4,308
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From: Somewhere, Florida
St. Jude Donor '20-'21-'22-'23-'24
1st, 2nd. and 3rd gen Vipers never had TC or any of its nannies.
You get used to it. Now it would bother me looking at the lights on the dash, but not so much not having the functionality. If that can be written off with a tune, then problem solved.
Unfortunately for C5 owners though, I think the cruise control goes out with the TC as well.
You get used to it. Now it would bother me looking at the lights on the dash, but not so much not having the functionality. If that can be written off with a tune, then problem solved.
Unfortunately for C5 owners though, I think the cruise control goes out with the TC as well.
Le Mans Master
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