What are the other problems...
Thread Starter
Race Director
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 13,404
Likes: 55
From: Glastonbury CT.
St. Jude Donor '11-'12-'13-'14-'15-'16-'17,'20, '21,'22, '23
What are the other problems...
I am finding out my 2000 vett comes with inherent problems.
The car leaks electricity when shut off to the point where you need a battery tender......the cabin gets unusually warm when driving.......the steering wheel locks up on you unexpectedly.
You would think an expensive car would be pretty much trouble free and especially free of problems like this.
Other than these 3 problems I've read about, are there any other problems relating to cars basic reliability I should be aware of ?
I was looking for speed, looks and reliability. Did I make a mistake buying a corvette ? Do I have a legitamite beef or am I overreacting ?
777
The car leaks electricity when shut off to the point where you need a battery tender......the cabin gets unusually warm when driving.......the steering wheel locks up on you unexpectedly.
You would think an expensive car would be pretty much trouble free and especially free of problems like this.
Other than these 3 problems I've read about, are there any other problems relating to cars basic reliability I should be aware of ?
I was looking for speed, looks and reliability. Did I make a mistake buying a corvette ? Do I have a legitamite beef or am I overreacting ?
777
Le Mans Master
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 5,707
Likes: 4
From: Los Angeles
You just bought a 7 year old car. It's been used and abused by others before you. Those are NOT normal operations. Yes, the Vette has some notorious issues as all cars do. Especially for a modded car. The steering lock up was a recall. Apparently not done in your case. Electrical problems will just have to be searched, found and repaired. Warm in the cabin? Does the car have headers on it? Yes, it is a performance car with a lot of high tech gadgets. A lot can go wrong, and after 7 years and who knows how many miles or how the car was used, you can expect some of them to go wrong. Again, especially on a modded car. If you want something without many problems, you can buy a much newer vehicle that has less than 200hp and basic amenities for the same money. (Boring Camry maybe).
Take the car in to the dealer for the steering column lock recall. Welcome to the Corvette world. Once you recognize and appreciate what the car does, you will never go back.
Take the car in to the dealer for the steering column lock recall. Welcome to the Corvette world. Once you recognize and appreciate what the car does, you will never go back.
Last edited by robvuk; May 3, 2007 at 09:56 AM.
Thread Starter
Race Director
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 13,404
Likes: 55
From: Glastonbury CT.
St. Jude Donor '11-'12-'13-'14-'15-'16-'17,'20, '21,'22, '23
Thax for the feedback Robvuk. Yes it is 7 years old and yes it is modified to the tune of 425 hp without the NOS but it only has 18,000 miles on it. I am spoiled with my vr-4. The car has been so damn dependable. Turn the key after sitting at the airport for 2 weeks and it starts right up. Everything works all the time
and it is very comfortable. Drive it in the wet and the snow. It is a fast, comfortable, 4000 lb. car.
The vett has a different personality. It appears to want to be babied and only taken out on pretty days. It needs to be shinney and pampered, it seems. It is lowered 2 inches and you have to be careful and watchful for holes and ramps. It makes me feel great when I drive it
but some 'wives' are high maintenance and some are not. I guess I need more seat time....we shall see.
777
and it is very comfortable. Drive it in the wet and the snow. It is a fast, comfortable, 4000 lb. car.
The vett has a different personality. It appears to want to be babied and only taken out on pretty days. It needs to be shinney and pampered, it seems. It is lowered 2 inches and you have to be careful and watchful for holes and ramps. It makes me feel great when I drive it
but some 'wives' are high maintenance and some are not. I guess I need more seat time....we shall see.
777
Tech Contributor
Joined: Dec 1999
Posts: 32,910
Likes: 2,402
From: Anthony TX
CI 6,7,8,9,11 Vet
St. Jude Donor '08
777
Your NOT expierencing any problems that others have not had to deal with.
Yea, it sucks but, once you get them fixed, you will have "PERMAGRIN" I have answered numerous questions on excessive current draw. I have quite a few post or have added to a bunch of post on this subject. please do an advanched search in the C5 TECH section for EXCESSIVE CURRENT DRAW and see what you come up with.
A weak or low charged battery can effect the column lock. If you have DTC's set it can also cause it to malfunctiion. Please read and post your DTC'c and then CLEAR ALL OF THEM! That way you will see what ones you really need to deal with.
Here is how to read and clear your own DTC's
This is the absolute best C5 Diagnostic Trouble Code (DTC) web site!!!
http://www.corvettedoctor.com/Code_Main.html
http://www.corvettedoctor.com/index.html
www.corvettedoctor.com
Go to “technical data base” and then to “Corvette ECM Computer Codes”. Then select your year car. Read the instructions and then scroll down to the "READ MORE" window to view the code definitions.\
Here is another very good site:
http://www.obd-codes.com/trouble_cod...d-ii-codes.php
Make sure to include the H or C suffix!!
Your NOT expierencing any problems that others have not had to deal with.
Yea, it sucks but, once you get them fixed, you will have "PERMAGRIN" I have answered numerous questions on excessive current draw. I have quite a few post or have added to a bunch of post on this subject. please do an advanched search in the C5 TECH section for EXCESSIVE CURRENT DRAW and see what you come up with.A weak or low charged battery can effect the column lock. If you have DTC's set it can also cause it to malfunctiion. Please read and post your DTC'c and then CLEAR ALL OF THEM! That way you will see what ones you really need to deal with.
Here is how to read and clear your own DTC's
This is the absolute best C5 Diagnostic Trouble Code (DTC) web site!!!
http://www.corvettedoctor.com/Code_Main.html
http://www.corvettedoctor.com/index.html
www.corvettedoctor.com
Go to “technical data base” and then to “Corvette ECM Computer Codes”. Then select your year car. Read the instructions and then scroll down to the "READ MORE" window to view the code definitions.\
Here is another very good site:
http://www.obd-codes.com/trouble_cod...d-ii-codes.php
Make sure to include the H or C suffix!!
Le Mans Master
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 5,707
Likes: 4
From: Los Angeles
Thax for the feedback Robvuk. Yes it is 7 years old and yes it is modified to the tune of 425 hp without the NOS but it only has 18,000 miles on it. I am spoiled with my vr-4. The car has been so damn dependable. Turn the key after sitting at the airport for 2 weeks and it starts right up. Everything works all the time
and it is very comfortable. Drive it in the wet and the snow. It is a fast, comfortable, 4000 lb. car.
The vett has a different personality. It appears to want to be babied and only taken out on pretty days. It needs to be shinney and pampered, it seems. It is lowered 2 inches and you have to be careful and watchful for holes and ramps. It makes me feel great when I drive it
but some 'wives' are high maintenance and some are not. I guess I need more seat time....we shall see.
777
and it is very comfortable. Drive it in the wet and the snow. It is a fast, comfortable, 4000 lb. car.
The vett has a different personality. It appears to want to be babied and only taken out on pretty days. It needs to be shinney and pampered, it seems. It is lowered 2 inches and you have to be careful and watchful for holes and ramps. It makes me feel great when I drive it
but some 'wives' are high maintenance and some are not. I guess I need more seat time....we shall see.
777
Lowered two inches is a LOT. You will definitely have issues with potholes and curbs. Also may behave weird while trying to make any high G turns if the shocks bottom out. But tha'ts not Corvette's fault. With 425rwhp, you will most likely also experience more heat in the cabin than any normal Vette, besides other mechanical issues. Again, not the Vette's fault. As far as electrical issues go, Bill Curlee above, is our resident expert! Take his advice on all things electrical. My 2000 sits in my garage for months and starts right up every time even with the original battery. Needless to say, I never had any electrical problems. I bought mine new and have kept it stock. The only problems I ever had were a bad power window and the leaky differential. Oh and a headlight door that was fixed with a minor adjustment. 45k miles now. Get things fixed and you will enjoy far more than any other car you've had. 
Tech Contributor
Joined: Oct 1999
Posts: 41,013
Likes: 9,775
From: Charlotte, NC (formerly Endicott, NY)
Battery discharge problems are not that common. I have had two C5s now and neither one had a problem sitting in the garage for 4 to 6 weeks in the winter without a battery tender. After 6 weeks the starter would spin a little slower but the car would start. Not sure what you mean by a hot cabin. Both of my cars would freeze you out of the car on a hot day. If your engine has been modded the A/C system may have been opened and not recharged properly.
Bill
Bill
Tech Contributor
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 10,962
Likes: 29
From: Van Buren Arkansas
Wounded Warrior Escort '11
I think I can reply to the reliability issue for him. My '99 is now at 290K miles and still going strong as the day it was new. I've had issues of course as things simply wear or fail given enough use over time. Abuse will cause earlier failures. As Bill mentioned, sounds like your battery needs replacing or the cables have corroded connections. I've had to replace my AC Compressor already as well, so with the age of your car, it might be time. Nothing lasts forever.
This car('99) has got to be the best car I have ever bought and now that I also own a '07 as well....I'll reserve judgement on it till its seen more miles.
This car('99) has got to be the best car I have ever bought and now that I also own a '07 as well....I'll reserve judgement on it till its seen more miles.
