Odometer question, I think ive been ripped.
Thread Starter
Heel & Toe
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 18
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Odometer question, I think ive been ripped.
I bought a 98 model C5 about 6 months ago. I recently installed a K40 built in Radar Detector. While installing the detector I noticed first off, the bezel around the cluster has been removed. I then noticed that the cluster itself had been removed, it has a slot in the bottom center that it latches into. And it wasnt in that slot, but above it and scratched up. I contacted the local dealer and they pulled up the service history on the car, and it shows the car hasnt been into chevrolet for service in 2 years! So is it possible someone just replaced the cluster and im screwed? Or is there anyway for me to find out if they have? Thanks in Advance! :confused:
Racer
Joined: May 2000
Posts: 380
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From: Bloomington, IN USA
Re: Odometer question, I think ive been ripped. (csstereo)
And if somehow you end up proving that the odometer had been tampered with, I'm sure you would have recourse from the seller. I know how you feel, I bought a BMW once with low mileage but it seemed like too amny things were needing maintenance - even the mechanic expressed concern about mileage and certain repairs not seeming to coincide. I found out later that the odometer could be disabled simply by removing the associated fuse. It is absurd what some people do nowadays.
JohnS
JohnS
Le Mans Master
Joined: Sep 2001
Posts: 5,857
Likes: 84
From: Gainesville VA
Re: Odometer question, I think ive been ripped.
Wonder if that can be done? I can't imagine the computer can tell the mileage.
i think a chevy tech can pull up the correct milage with a tech 2 :chevy
Team Owner
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 24,109
Likes: 1,329
From: Spring Texas
Re: Odometer question, I think ive been ripped. (csstereo)
I think the mileage is actually stored in 2 locations - in two different computers. One is for the engine manage and the other is for the instrument cluster.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Apr 1999
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From: Burlington ON
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Re: Odometer question, I think ive been ripped. (CP)
I also think the mileage would be stored on the PCM, which would also have your VIN embedded in it.
Perhaps the previous owner had white face guages on the car that he removed and this is the reason that it looks like the cluster has been tampered with?
[Modified by MattG, 1:25 PM 1/25/2002]
Perhaps the previous owner had white face guages on the car that he removed and this is the reason that it looks like the cluster has been tampered with?
[Modified by MattG, 1:25 PM 1/25/2002]
Racer
Joined: Nov 2000
Posts: 477
Likes: 0
From: Irving texas
Re: Odometer question, I think ive been ripped. (csstereo)
I bought a 98 model C5 about 6 months ago. I recently installed a K40 built in Radar Detector. While installing the detector I noticed first off, the bezel around the cluster has been removed. I then noticed that the cluster itself had been removed, it has a slot in the bottom center that it latches into. And it wasnt in that slot, but above it and scratched up. I contacted the local dealer and they pulled up the service history on the car, and it shows the car hasnt been into chevrolet for service in 2 years! So is it possible someone just replaced the cluster and im screwed? Or is there anyway for me to find out if they have? Thanks in Advance! :confused:
He metioned the loss of value from these cars with high mileage.
He said when it came time to sell it, just put the original one back in.
I never really thought about it until now. That is kinda scary.
He is a car salesman by the way..... :eek: :eek: :eek:
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Le Mans Master
Joined: Mar 1999
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From: delmont pa
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Re: Odometer question, I think ive been ripped. (Kid)
i bet that GM has made sure that there is no way to trick the odometer because of the warranty and the federal laws.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jul 2001
Posts: 775
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From: Myrtle Beach South Carolina
Re: Odometer question, I think ive been ripped. (csstereo)
If you find the mileage in the PCM and the cluster do not match, The cluster can be reprogramed to read the correct mileage with a Tech II. You could do a CARFAX on it and get some info there maybe.
Advanced
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 72
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From: L T
Re: Odometer question, I think ive been ripped. (XportC5)
woa don't find out man. when you go to sell the car you will have to tell the actual milage if you know it. If you have no idea that it has been tampered with then to the best of your knowlage that is the actual milage. just keep maintence records every few months to cover your butt. if you really have to find out get a carfax report or some thing that can not be traced to you. You understand what i am saying. You may have a cause for recourse aginst the seller that is if they have the money to give you. Find other indications of milage. how many miles are on the odometer?
Team Owner
Joined: Jun 2001
Posts: 26,714
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From: Houston, TX
Re: Odometer question, I think ive been ripped. (antirice)
woa don't find out man. when you go to sell the car you will have to tell the actual milage if you know it. If you have no idea that it has been tampered with then to the best of your knowlage that is the actual milage. just keep maintence records every few months to cover your butt. if you really have to find out get a carfax report or some thing that can not be traced to you. You understand what i am saying. You may have a cause for recourse aginst the seller that is if they have the money to give you. Find other indications of milage. how many miles are on the odometer?
Melting Slicks
Joined: Nov 2000
Posts: 2,332
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From: USA
Re: Odometer question, I think ive been ripped. (C5SilverBullet)
C5silverbullett,
If the previous owner unplugged the speedo connection at the transmission, wouldn't that keep the miles on both the computer and the dash the same?
Dave
If the previous owner unplugged the speedo connection at the transmission, wouldn't that keep the miles on both the computer and the dash the same?
Dave
Team Owner
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From: Last - We are with you my friend
St. Jude '03-'04-'05-'06-'07-'08-'09-'10-'11
Re: Odometer question, I think ive been ripped. (jschindler)
It is illegal and some of the horror stories that I have been reading in this forum like theft of a vehicle, people getting screwed in the parts for sale section, etc. I think that anything is possible. I agree - start with a carfax. Good luck and don't worry too bad, after all you own a Corvette :seeya
[Modified by MilYellow02, 6:17 AM 1/26/2002]
[Modified by MilYellow02, 6:17 AM 1/26/2002]
Racer
Joined: Dec 2001
Posts: 263
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From: Houston Texas
Re: Odometer question, I think ive been ripped. (csstereo)
I had a problem with my 98 coupe last year when the Hypertech PP III I was using craped out my computer so I called Hypertech and they said I had to send them the computer. I pulled it out of the front passenger wheel well and sent it to them. When I got it back my computer was all messed up. So I called hypertech and they told me to take it to the dealer and have my pcm flashed. I did and when I got the car back my car said it only had 12,000 miles on it when the car really had 30,000. :confused: The dealer said they had no idea what happened but why was I complaining. I said because I want to sell the car someday and im not in to screwing people over. Anyways they had to take my computer out and send it to Chevy supposedly and it took 3 weeks to get the car back. When I got it back they put and extra 5,000 miles on my car (35,000) miles I was pissed and just gave up. :mad I figured I can’t screw anyone selling a car with 5,000 miles less than was on the car and I was real sick of dealing with jack behind people. Anyways I hope you have better luck than me. :confused:
Racer
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 444
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From: bc
Re: Odometer question, I think ive been ripped. (csstereo)
thats is one of the reason for not buying a use car :nono:
sorry to hear that, as other said , that it to a dealer and read out the correct
milage form the dme
sorry to hear that, as other said , that it to a dealer and read out the correct
milage form the dme
Advanced
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 72
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From: L T
Re: Odometer question, I think ive been ripped. (jschindler)
woa don't find out man. when you go to sell the car you will have to tell the actual milage if you know it. If you have no idea that it has been tampered with then to the best of your knowlage that is the actual milage. just keep maintence records every few months to cover your butt. if you really have to find out get a carfax report or some thing that can not be traced to you. You understand what i am saying. You may have a cause for recourse aginst the seller that is if they have the money to give you. Find other indications of milage. how many miles are on the odometer?
Would you buy a used car from this man?
Would you buy a used car from this man?
Former Vendor
Joined: Apr 2001
Posts: 10,976
Likes: 21
From: FL
St. Jude Donor '13
Re: Odometer question, I think ive been ripped. (csstereo)
When the dealer pulled up the history,what was the mileage for the last repair compared to the mileage when you bought it???Even though it was 2 years since it was serviced,you can get a basic idea on the difference in mileage...For example,if it had 20k on it when it was at the dealer for service,and it had 15-20k on it when you bought it 2 years later,something would be fishy...Look for oil change stickers on the door jam and else where for documented mileage...