common problem for older C5s??
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Joined: Sep 2004
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From: maine
common problem for older C5s??
Hi I am looking to get an older C5.. 97-00 in the spring..
Ive read about oil consumption problems with the '01s
could someone tell me if there are any known common problems with the older year models?
97?
98?
99?
00?
Thanks for the info
Ive read about oil consumption problems with the '01s
could someone tell me if there are any known common problems with the older year models?
97?
98?
99?
00?
Thanks for the info
Team Owner
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St. Jude Donor '06-'07-'08-'09
I think they are all pretty much the same.
column lock
rocking seat
plugged ac drains
leaking battery
spend a little time here and you will learn about them all.
for what its worth... my '97 has been great
column lock
rocking seat
plugged ac drains
leaking battery
spend a little time here and you will learn about them all.
for what its worth... my '97 has been great
Race Director
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From: Houston Texas
St. Jude Donor '08
Originally Posted by bsmith
I think they are all pretty much the same.
column lock
rocking seat
plugged ac drains
leaking battery
spend a little time here and you will learn about them all.
for what its worth... my '97 has been great
column lock
rocking seat
plugged ac drains
leaking battery
spend a little time here and you will learn about them all.
for what its worth... my '97 has been great
Faulty fuel gauges
leaky rear ends
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St. Jude Donor '06-'07-'08-'09
Originally Posted by Corvette SSX
Let's not forget about
Faulty fuel gauges
leaky rear ends
Faulty fuel gauges
leaky rear ends
forgot about those
point is, none of them are specific to one year.
all of them happen on C5's from 97-04
Instructor
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I have owned every year of C5 except 2002 and 2003. I would stay clear of any 1997 or early model 1998. What I mean by early is, anything made BEFORE January of 1998 as per the door sticker. Also avoid 2001 for oil usage/ring problems. Anything else should be just fine to buy. FYI the steering lock was totally removed in the 2001 model year so that problem was gone from there on in.
Last edited by C5XPert; Oct 11, 2004 at 11:54 AM.
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St. Jude Donor '05-'06
I have a later build in the 2001 manufactures year and the oil consumption is not that back but some people do have these problem more than others.
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St. Jude Donor '06-'07-'08-'09
Originally Posted by C5XPert
. FYI the steering lock was totally removed in the 2001 model year so that problem was gone from there on in.
C5xpert?????????????????????What?????????
this is for a 2004...
Year : 2004
Vehicle Make : CHEVROLET
Vehicle Model : CORVETTE
NHTSA Campaign Number : 04V060000
Summary :
ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH ELECTRONIC COLUMN LOCK SYSTEMS (ECL), WHEN THE IGNITION SWITCH IS TURNED TO ?LOCK,? THE ECL SYSTEM PREVENTS TURNING OF THE STEERING SYSTEM. WHEN THE VEHICLE IS STARTED, THE ECL UNLOCKS THE STEERING SYSTEM. THE VEHICLE IS DESIGNED SO THAT IF THE COLUMN FAILS TO UNLOCK WHEN THE VEHICLE IS STARTED AND THE CUSTOMER TRIES TO DRIVE, THE FUEL SUPPLY WILL BE SHUT OFF SO THAT THE VEHICLE CANNOT MOVE WHEN THE VEHICLE CANNOT BE STEERED. IF VOLTAGE AT THE POWERTRAIN CONTROL MODULE IS LOW OR INTERRUPTED, HOWEVER, THE FUEL SHUT OFF MAY NOT OCCUR AND THE VEHICLE CAN BE ACCELERATED WHILE THE STEERING SYSTEM IS LOCKED. ALSO WHEN THE CONTROL SYSTEM SHOWS THAT THE ECL IS UNLOCKED AND THE VEHICLE IS BEING DRIVEN, THE LOCK PIN LOCATION CAN VARY. DEPENDING ON THE LOCATION OF THE LOCK PLATE RELATIVE TO THE SWITCH TRANSITION POINT, THERE COULD THEN BE CONTACT BETWEEN THE LOCK PLATE AND PIN CAUSING THE STEERING TO LOCK WHILE DRIVING .
Possible Consequences :
IF THIS OCCURS, A CRASH COULD OCCUR WITHOUT WARNING.
Corrective Action :
ON VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH AN AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION, THE DEALER WILL DISABLE THE STEERING COLUMN LOCK BY REMOVING THE COLUMN LOCK PLATE. WHEN THE IGNITION KEY IS REMOVED, THE TRANSMISSION SHIFTER WILL LOCK BUT THE STEERING COLUMN WILL NOT LOCK. ON VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH A MANUAL TRANSMISSION, THE DEALER WILL REPROGRAM THE POWERTRAIN CONTROL MODULE, PERFORM A DIMENSIONAL CHECK OF THE COLUMN LOCK AND, IF NECESSARY, REPLACE THE LOCK PLATE. THE STEERING COLUMN ON THESE VEHICLES WILL CONTINUE TO LOCK WHEN THE KEY IS REMOVED. OWNER NOTIFICATION TO OWNERS OF 1997 VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSIONS BEGAN ON APRIL 26, 2004. OWNERS OF 1998 THROUGH 2004 VEHICLES (EXCEPT 1997-1998 MANUAL TRANSMISSION VEHICLES) WILL BE NOTIFIED BEGINNING ON AUGUST 2, 2004. THE REMAINING OWNERS (1997-1998 MANUAL TRANSMISSION VEHICLES) WILL BE NOTIFIED LATER IN 2004, WHEN PARTS ARE AVAILABLE. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT CHEVROLET AT 1-800-630-2438
Last edited by bsmith; Oct 11, 2004 at 12:56 PM.
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The things listed above pretty much cover the common problems. You could also add excessive wear on the seat bolsters.
Race Director
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From: Hurst, TX USA
Originally Posted by C5XPert
FYI the steering lock was totally removed in the 2001 model year so that problem was gone from there on in.
Instructor
Joined: Sep 2004
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Originally Posted by bsmith
C5xpert?????????????????????What?????????
this is for a 2004...
Year : 2004
Vehicle Make : CHEVROLET
Vehicle Model : CORVETTE
NHTSA Campaign Number : 04V060000
Summary :
ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH ELECTRONIC COLUMN LOCK SYSTEMS (ECL), WHEN THE IGNITION SWITCH IS TURNED TO ?LOCK,? THE ECL SYSTEM PREVENTS TURNING OF THE STEERING SYSTEM. WHEN THE VEHICLE IS STARTED, THE ECL UNLOCKS THE STEERING SYSTEM. THE VEHICLE IS DESIGNED SO THAT IF THE COLUMN FAILS TO UNLOCK WHEN THE VEHICLE IS STARTED AND THE CUSTOMER TRIES TO DRIVE, THE FUEL SUPPLY WILL BE SHUT OFF SO THAT THE VEHICLE CANNOT MOVE WHEN THE VEHICLE CANNOT BE STEERED. IF VOLTAGE AT THE POWERTRAIN CONTROL MODULE IS LOW OR INTERRUPTED, HOWEVER, THE FUEL SHUT OFF MAY NOT OCCUR AND THE VEHICLE CAN BE ACCELERATED WHILE THE STEERING SYSTEM IS LOCKED. ALSO WHEN THE CONTROL SYSTEM SHOWS THAT THE ECL IS UNLOCKED AND THE VEHICLE IS BEING DRIVEN, THE LOCK PIN LOCATION CAN VARY. DEPENDING ON THE LOCATION OF THE LOCK PLATE RELATIVE TO THE SWITCH TRANSITION POINT, THERE COULD THEN BE CONTACT BETWEEN THE LOCK PLATE AND PIN CAUSING THE STEERING TO LOCK WHILE DRIVING .
Possible Consequences :
IF THIS OCCURS, A CRASH COULD OCCUR WITHOUT WARNING.
Corrective Action :
ON VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH AN AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION, THE DEALER WILL DISABLE THE STEERING COLUMN LOCK BY REMOVING THE COLUMN LOCK PLATE. WHEN THE IGNITION KEY IS REMOVED, THE TRANSMISSION SHIFTER WILL LOCK BUT THE STEERING COLUMN WILL NOT LOCK. ON VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH A MANUAL TRANSMISSION, THE DEALER WILL REPROGRAM THE POWERTRAIN CONTROL MODULE, PERFORM A DIMENSIONAL CHECK OF THE COLUMN LOCK AND, IF NECESSARY, REPLACE THE LOCK PLATE. THE STEERING COLUMN ON THESE VEHICLES WILL CONTINUE TO LOCK WHEN THE KEY IS REMOVED. OWNER NOTIFICATION TO OWNERS OF 1997 VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSIONS BEGAN ON APRIL 26, 2004. OWNERS OF 1998 THROUGH 2004 VEHICLES (EXCEPT 1997-1998 MANUAL TRANSMISSION VEHICLES) WILL BE NOTIFIED BEGINNING ON AUGUST 2, 2004. THE REMAINING OWNERS (1997-1998 MANUAL TRANSMISSION VEHICLES) WILL BE NOTIFIED LATER IN 2004, WHEN PARTS ARE AVAILABLE. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT CHEVROLET AT 1-800-630-2438
Last edited by C5XPert; Oct 11, 2004 at 12:54 PM.
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St. Jude Donor '06-'07-'08-'09
Originally Posted by C5XPert
Indeed my mistake it was eliminated on the automatics in 2001. Sorry.
not trying to argue or anything... but autos are still included in the recall...
ON VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH AN AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION, THE DEALER WILL DISABLE THE STEERING COLUMN LOCK BY REMOVING THE COLUMN LOCK PLATE.
Melting Slicks
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From: Clever, MO aka SOMO
My '98 runs great, drives great and has not given me any problems whatsoever. I think the problems discussed in this thread can happen to any model year, at any time. It just depends on "lady luck" in my book. A car is a car, and there are good ones and not so good ones. Find one you're comfortable with and can afford, then get it and enjoy it. 
Racer
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From: Langhorne Pa
I think it depends on the car, not the year. Perhaps I've just been lucky with my '99 (it's early in the 99 production run, pick it up in Dec of '98). The only problem in the above list that I experienced was with the fuel gague and that only happend once or twice.
Race Director
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From: Hurst, TX USA
Originally Posted by bsmith
not trying to argue or anything... but autos are still included in the recall...
ON VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH AN AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION, THE DEALER WILL DISABLE THE STEERING COLUMN LOCK BY REMOVING THE COLUMN LOCK PLATE.
ON VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH AN AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION, THE DEALER WILL DISABLE THE STEERING COLUMN LOCK BY REMOVING THE COLUMN LOCK PLATE.
Team Owner
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St. Jude Donor '06-'07-'08-'09
Originally Posted by BigJoe
Some autos. Through 2000 and maybe some early 2001s (?). However all year manuals are recalled.
but that text was directly from the NHTSA website for a 2004... and it mentions A4's in the recall
Safety Car
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From: Whittier California
I have a 98 Coupe with very few problems. No oil consumption problems at all. I have had problems with fuel guage, rocking seat, and oil sending unit like most on this forum. Good luck. C5's are awesome
Advanced
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From: Coquitlam British Columbia
Older C5's
Before getting an '03 Annie, I had an '98 vert. I did not have an oil consumption problem, but did have the column lock, sticky fuel gauge, faulty brake light/turn signal electrics, defective HVAC head. I had extended warranty so all were fixed under that protection. All in all a great car but my "03 Annie is just that much better.
