blackdodge

are 1999's as bad for abs , etc problems as I see in some articles? Hope I didn't buy a white elephant.

Vetteman Jack

Moved to C5 General for comment.

JMG2

what problems, specifically, are you referring to?
if you're referring to the ebcm... there are a ton of threads on that in here. the tl;dr version is that the issue is blown way out of proportion. But if your ebcm does go, the part is no longer made, and you'll end up spending around $1,500 for a used part. But it is a rare failure, and not something to get worked up over.

blackdodge

Thanks. No problems with the car, just bought it and it's in my garage waiting for spring. Overblown stuff on internet sometimes drives me crazy. Hopefully this car will be good to me. Thank you.

Missileboy

One nice thing, if the ABS/Traction Control module were to take a dump on ya, you can remove it and drive the car while you are getting it sorted.

Slo Yelo C5

What is "tldr" issue?

Regardless...

I bought a 2000 C5 with ~17k miles in 2016. I was scared s***less about the EBCM issue a few months after buying the car based on comments here.

First off, I talked with a GM parts supplier who was very knowledgeable of C5s. They said that anecdotally, only like 20% of EBCMs break.

But even if it does break...why replace it? All it does is mean no ABS and no TC. I'm not aware of any other issues from a broken EBCM? If so...so what? How often do you use ABS or traction control?

The bigger issue is a broken SWPS. Are SWPS the same on 1997-2004 C5s or are they different on different year C5s?

That **is** a major problem. With that said, I heard SWPS rarely break. My understanding is that there is like a 2% chance of that breaking during the life of the car.

killain

If the ABS unit does go bad, does that also trigger the "Active Handling"and the "Traction Control" to also read on the DIC that there is a problem with both ? My ABS light is on, and I get both of the other messages on my DIC ?

Slo Yelo C5

I believe TC/ABS/AH are the same EBCM module, but could be wrong.

kkupec02

welcome

killain

Thank you, !

ThomasR

2001-04 share the same steering wheel position sensor. They are still available new last I checked. The 1997-00 cars use a different sensor that is no longer available. Mine failed around 40k miles which was right after I bought the car. I'm glad I bought an 01 and I bought 3 spare sensors. 😆

Slo Yelo C5

Are you referring to SWPS or EBCM?

DW600RR

I believe you are correct. I would get all 3 codes on my 02 maybe every 8th or 9th time I started the car. Always all 3 at the same time, never had 1 or 2 codes without the other(s). Pulled my ECBM, sent it to Absfixer.com, had it back within the week and haven't had a problem since.

killain

What DTC would be set for a bad EBCM unit itself ? C????

Willows

I read only about 20% go bad

MWWarlord

I agree that only about 20% of EBCM fail. However, that's still 1 in 5.

Willows

I thought they all failed tbh. 20% is a lot less than I expected

Slo Yelo C5

All failed? I don't think so. It's definitely no more than maybe 30%.

From what I've read, it seems the 2001-2004 EBCMs are far more likely to break (than the 1997-2000). But the 2001-2004 can be repaired and the 1997-2000 units cannot.

Is my understanding correct?

jamieo

You usually only hear about the ones that fail,not the thousands that have had no issues.Drive the wheels off of it

XmentalPilot

Clean brake fluid and a charged up battery (a maintainer is a must if you have a garage queen). Regularly exercising the ABS with some heavy braking... and if you can, find an open space and activate the active handing once in a while. Both those activities will get the EBCM/ABS pump working and keeps it from getting sticky. When ever we start the car there is a diag routine that spins up the EBCM/ABS pump. if it is all gummed up from dirty and stagnate brake fluid, it's gonna draw too much current and melt the circuit traces/solder inside the EBCM. I have a '98 vert and have no issues and no worries. Drive it and enjoy!