I purchased a '97 C5 from one of my best friends on Friday in L.A. for substantially what it was worth because he gave it to me for the low-ball dealer trade-in value. I knew that it had the fuel gauge problem and I knew it was likely because of the sulphur buildup due to low octane gas because of this forum. I wasn't worried about it and I drove it from L.A. to Omaha on Saturday and Sunday. I am on an assignment here that ends in one week and my intention was to drive the car home tomorrow and then fly back up here on Monday for my last assignment. It ran quite nicely on Saturday and Sunday.

Since arriving here on Monday morning, it has run well EXCEPT it has usually taken 2 - 4 turns of the ignition key to fire up. I was concerned about that but assumed the adjustment from sunny Southern CA to the freezing temps of Omaha this week had an impact and a servicing at a specialist in St. Louis in the next few weeks would take care of it.

This morning at 6:45am, I started her up and the OSD said SERVICE TRACTION SYSTEM and REDUCED POWER and the car would not go more than about 20mph. I limped the mile to my client's office.

Are there any specialists in Omaha that I can trust or do I throw myself on the mercy of the dealer? My original plan was to drive to KC tonight after work and stay with a buddy and then go home to St. Louis tomorrow morning. I would love to be able to get it in and out of a servicing by 6:00pm tonight but I guess I have to take what I can get.

Thanks for your help!

 

I would try removing the neg battery terminal for a few minutes and see what happens. If no good than many auto parts stores will now read the codes for free. Sometimes they don't want to reset for free but if you explain your situation maybe they will. It's worth it just to see if it re-occurs.

Good luck, Randy

 

Throttle Acuation Controler (TAC ) module, Bad battery, or throttle body motor are some possibilities...????

You really need to see what codes it has thrown. I think autozone can scan the car for you if you have one around...the write down the code(s) and report back.

 

Try Gregg Young Chevrolet Phone 402-572-8080
I have taken both my Corvettes to them and they have always been very helpful.
If there is something that I might help you with PM me. I work across the river in
Council Bluffs.

Jim

 

I have a very good friend who has taken his car to High Tech at 133rd and Q for years. He said they frequently talk him out of doing work that really is of questionable value.

I called them and explained what the situation was and that I needed to leave town tonight and I brought it over. Ironically, when I started it up the Traction Control problem went away. I decided to bring it over there anyway to make sure it didn't rear its ugly head during my drive back to KC and then onto St. Louis.

Thanks for the input on the other options guys!

 

sounds like ground problem

 

High performance motorsports.

 

It's the C5 electronic gremlins. Like you stated they went away. As other members said..it can be a bad battery or ground. As for the fuel gauge. Start using Chevron or to start with pour a couple of cans of Techron in your tank. Stick to Chevron gas 91 octane. This hopefully will wake the fuel gauge up. Get the bugs out and you will have very well built Corvette. IMHO
Rsty

 

If I were you I'd try this:

-use this link to read all of the codes yourself, on the DIC
-write them ALL down, be sure to include the module it's in and the H and/or C after the numbers
-use the DIC buttons to clear out as many as you can, all of them if possible
-make a note of whatever codes won't clear
-go for a drive, noting any alarms you get along the way
-before you turn off the engine, read and record all of the codes again
-post everything you recorded here, someone will most likely figure it out for you