c5 problems
Thread Starter
Heel & Toe
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 23
Likes: 0
From: tn
c5 problems
Hi, I am new to the corvette world and am looking to buy a 6 speed coupe from about 2001 to 2004 and was wondering if there was any common problems I should look for when going to buy one, Thanks in advance.
Drifting
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 1,384
Likes: 8
From: Southwest Virginia
Welcome to the forum! The most common problems with C5 is leaking rear diffs, electrical, water leaks, battery leaks, and a few more that I'm sure others will fill in!
Be sure to check everything electronic to make sure it works. Look around under the batter for signs of corrosion, the PCM (fuel computer) is located right under the batter and is commonly damaged if the battery leaks. The rear diff is almost guaranteed to leak. Look around the axles seals and side cover plates for signs of leakage. Hopefully it would have already been properly repaired.Guys, did I miss anything?
Drifting
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 1,384
Likes: 8
From: Southwest Virginia
They are not real hard to fix, but expect to pay $600-$800 for that at a dealer. There are several forum members doing work on these cars and I'm sure they would be cheaper. Plus several nice shops around the country.
Tech Contributor
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 19,384
Likes: 87
From: Horncastle Lincolnshire, England
2023 C5 of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
Now there is a loaded question!
Welcome to the forum! The most common problems with C5 is leaking rear diffs, electrical, water leaks, battery leaks, and a few more that I'm sure others will fill in! Be sure to check everything electronic to make sure it works. Look around under the batter for signs of corrosion, the PCM (fuel computer) is located right under the batter and is commonly damaged if the battery leaks. The rear diff is almost guaranteed to leak. Look around the axles seals and side cover plates for signs of leakage. Hopefully it would have already been properly repaired.
Guys, did I miss anything?
Welcome to the forum! The most common problems with C5 is leaking rear diffs, electrical, water leaks, battery leaks, and a few more that I'm sure others will fill in!
Be sure to check everything electronic to make sure it works. Look around under the batter for signs of corrosion, the PCM (fuel computer) is located right under the batter and is commonly damaged if the battery leaks. The rear diff is almost guaranteed to leak. Look around the axles seals and side cover plates for signs of leakage. Hopefully it would have already been properly repaired.Guys, did I miss anything?
The door modules can be a bit flakey. make sure the windows work.
You could always run the DIC codes to see if it has thrown any codes recently.
Safety Car
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 3,799
Likes: 1
From: Northern Virginia
St. Jude Donor '08
^^
There is a sticky over in the C5 general section with more details.
Here is the link. http://forums.corvetteforum.com/showthread.php?t=984927
Good luck in your search!!
There is a sticky over in the C5 general section with more details.
Here is the link. http://forums.corvetteforum.com/showthread.php?t=984927
Good luck in your search!!
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 3,021
Likes: 133
From: Conejo Valley CA
Now there is a loaded question!
Welcome to the forum! The most common problems with C5 is leaking rear diffs, electrical, water leaks, battery leaks, and a few more that I'm sure others will fill in! Be sure to check everything electronic to make sure it works. Look around under the batter for signs of corrosion, the PCM (fuel computer) is located right under the batter and is commonly damaged if the battery leaks. The rear diff is almost guaranteed to leak. Look around the axles seals and side cover plates for signs of leakage. Hopefully it would have already been properly repaired.
Guys, did I miss anything?
Welcome to the forum! The most common problems with C5 is leaking rear diffs, electrical, water leaks, battery leaks, and a few more that I'm sure others will fill in!
Be sure to check everything electronic to make sure it works. Look around under the batter for signs of corrosion, the PCM (fuel computer) is located right under the batter and is commonly damaged if the battery leaks. The rear diff is almost guaranteed to leak. Look around the axles seals and side cover plates for signs of leakage. Hopefully it would have already been properly repaired.Guys, did I miss anything?
1) Bad HVAC actuator door - took it to the dealer... $700 ouch!!
2) Passenger door lock went out - repaired myself thanks to Corvette Forum (replaced relay in Door Control Module)
3) Driver's door controls all went dead - repaired myself thanks to advice from fellow CF members (corroded connector in door well)
4) HVAC blower went out -repaired myself (corroded power connector to blower motor)
This might sound discouraging, but to me, the C5 Corvette is an incredible performance bargain hands-down. So even with all this, I have no regrets about my vette purchase.
Also, the Corvette Forum rocks because the members here are very knowledgeable and are very willing to share information. I should also note that repair #1 was my first problem and at the time, I was not using this forum. But if you are a person who absolutely does not like to fix things yourself or feel you are not mechanically inclined, then this is something to think about.
Corvette Stories
The Best of Corvette for Corvette Enthusiasts
150 hp to 1,250 hp: Every Corvette Generation Compared by the Specs That Matter
Joe Kucinski
8 Coolest Corvette Pace Cars (and Replicas) of All Time
Verdad Gallardo
Top 10 Corvette Engines RANKED by Peak Torque (70+ Years of Muscle!)
Joe Kucinski
Corvette ZR1X Will Be Pacing the Indy 500, And Could Probably Race, Too!
Verdad Gallardo
Top 10 Corvettes Coming to Mecum Indy 2026!
Brett Foote
Top 10 C9 Corvette MUST-HAVES to Fix These C8 Generation Flaws!
Michael S. Palmer
10 Revolutionary 'Corvette Firsts' Most People Don't Know
Joe Kucinski
5 Reasons to Upgrade to an LS6-Powered Corvette; 5 Reasons to Stay LT2
Michael S. Palmer
