Howdy all.

I just inherited a 2002 when my Dad passed a few months back. It's an Electron Blue coupe with 77K miles. It's an auto, so there's that. Many, many moons ago he would never have considered an automatic!

So, this is my first time owning a Vette. Dad had a few but he switched to German cars by the time I hit my early teens, so that's the bug that I got bit by. We currently have 8 some odd euro headaches. I love em but they're a needy bunch. Except for the Toureg, that one behaves.

Since the poor car has been sitting undriven for at least 5-7 years. He lived in southwest Utah and when I was out there 4 years ago, I took her for a quick spin around the block. Battery was dead and needed a long charge to start and when she did run, she was rough and the active handling message was in the DIC along with a few TPMS messages.

Fast forward to now, it's now home here in CT with me. The transport company said they barely got it started to get it on the truck and I have not been able to get it started since. My assumption is the gas has long gone bad. Very bad. That jives with it being rough 3 years ago when it had already been sitting for 2-3 years.

Here's what I've done...
- New battery -- Old one had 1.5V! Never seen one that low before
- New ignition switch -- Random clicking and gauge needle action when powered on. Figured it would fix the no start. No luck. I did also get the tumble portion of the switch and I popped it in temporarily just to see if it was the VAT sensor. I do also have the original key and a copy. Resistance is the same in both.
- Disconnected the speaker in the cluster -- Was buzzing obnoxiously

To be clear, it cranks but doesn't start. It has a couple of times almost started. The Security light on the dash is on, but I'm not sure what normal is for it.

My plan is to pull the fuel filter and before swapping in a new one, jumping the pump to get rid of the old gas. I'll drain the line to the front, too. New plugs and an oil change to cap it off. I'm also considering pulling the injectors and having them professionally cleaned, altough I don't know how much that matters.

Thanks to anyone who took the time to hear me ramble. It's been a tough year and this and the memories are all I have left and I'd like to do it right.

Joe

 

Some quick pics...

 

Sounds like you’re on the right track. You may also want to check the age of the tires. If you google “tire DOT age” it will show you what the numbers translate to. If they are more than 7 years old they should be replaced, regardless of tread left.

Would also be a good idea to have all the fluids changed, including have the coolant, brake fluid, and trans fluid power flushed.

enjoy your vette

 

I’ll bet fresh gas would help, maybe just add Chevron Techron concentrate plus fuel cleaner, maybe mix some with gas in can, after calculating ratio?

Or wait until car can be driven to pump and dump bottle in then fill up so it mixes.

My question is where can one dispose of old expired gasoline? Legally...

Have similar situation on a Suzuki Intruder that family member passed away, got it running but next year it would not fire up, except starting fluid.

I would see if it runs with fresh gas, if not then pull injectors to be cleaned, the Techron should clean them out, hopefully.

 

Welcome to the forum. Nice car you have.
TCFS

 

Sorry for your loss.
That's a fine looking C5 you inherited. I hope you get her running soon. Keep the new battery on a battery tender, C5s tend to eat batteries if let sit for more than a couple of weeks. I too would recommend putting some Techron in the first few fill ups.

 

Knowing what ethanol gas does when it gets old, i just wanted to pump it straight out and start fresh.

I'm in CT, so there's limited places to get rid of the gas easily.

 

Thank you. Very much appreciated.

 

Thank you. It's been very difficult.

Battery is disconnected for the time being. If the weather turns, I'll just put the cover on it until the spring. I do want to at least drain the gas, change the filter and add new gas with a can of Seafoam. Fingers crossed!

 

Welcome to the asylum...

 

Joe, welcome aboard ! Condolences for your loss, Dads are special, I lost mine over 3 years ago so I share your pain

As for getting the 'ole girl up and running I would encourage you to do so before subjecting the car any more storage. Fluid changes are important IMO along with a complete brake inspection and flush IMO as well.

 

Why thank you! I'm a member of a few other car boards so it only felt natural to join here, as well.

 

Thank you. From what I've read lurking so far, this seems like a pretty great place. I still can't believe he's gone. Now of course I regret not going out to Utah more often. He made me everything that I am today.

I have one more job for a client this week(I turn wrenches and detail) so after that, I'll get her in the driveway and at least drop the fuel filter and pump out the gas. I'll likely get the oil changes and the plugs, too. I have everything on hand already so that's a good thing. I may not get to the other fluids unless the weather holds out. The big hassle is I'm still waiting for my carport(really a metal garage) to get installed. Apparently, no one wants to work so they can't get anyone in my region to install it, so now I'll be hoping for next spring/summer.

 

Oddly enough, there are DOT codes only on the drivers side tires. Front is 0505 and the rear is 1905. So both from 2005. I assume the other side is the same. They're all Goodyear F1s. They'll have to go based on age, regardless. Fluids are in the works, too.

 

Welcome to the group. That's a great looking C5.

 

Thank you. I love the color!

 

I suspect the environmental ****'s will raise he** with this suggestion, but if there no dump stations in CT in a reasonable distance just put the gas put it in a open metal container and light it. You will not do any more danger to the environment then if you drove 20 miles to dump it.

 

If you know this state, you'd know how true that is. Luckily, i live in a very small, rural town. I live in a lake neighborhood so i won't do anything untoward. Plus everyone here has wells. I may look into our transfer station, since they already take used motor oil.

 

Best of luck getting your car back in shape and welcome to the forum.

 

Thanks man. I'll keep y'all updated.