Hello! This is my first post, despite having read the forums for a few weeks. I just picked up my "new to me" 2000 convertible. While I am generally pretty pleased with the car, there are a few small things wrong that I need advice on how to fix.

I bought the car from a bank that repossessed it. Mechanically, its fine, but certain instrumentation/cosmetic issues need addressing.

I want to repair as much of this as possible myself, as part of the reason for buying the car was learning to work on it.

#1: The cruise control will not engage reliably. In 8 hours of driving home today, I was only able to get the cruise control to engage once. It seems the "set" button on the stalk isn't working. Does this make sense, and how should I approach diagnosing/fixing that?

#2: The power antenna will not operate up and down - it is stuck halfway up.

#3: MOST IMPORTANT: The gas gauge has something wrong with it. It seems the gauge will only display approx half full, or totally empty, rapidly moving between the two as gas is used.

If I put say 5 gallons of gas in the car, the meter reads half full, but then doesn't move at all, until the car is legitimately almost empty, at which time the needle rapidly falls to empty, the warning "low fuel" comes on, and a red "check gauges" light comes on.

That needs to be address immediately. What controls the gas level readout?

#4: Finally, the car was a bank repo. I only received one key with the car: a generic copy that is not a genuine GM key, and does not have a VATS chip on it. I also do not have a remote for the car.

The result is that everytime I lock the car and then unlock and open the door, the alarm goes off, only silenced when I start the car.

I know I can order a remote from ebay, etc., but I thought these cars all used those VATS keys - why doesn't mine?

I know this is a list of issues, but I'd appreicate any direction you can provide as to how to solve these problems. I look forward to your input!

-David

 

I'd take it back if possible
Repo's are sketchy at best

1 , check brake switch

2 , check fuses

3 , add a bottle of Techron and pray

4 , should not run w/o VATS , someone mickey moused the ignition or installed a bypass resistor

 

Thanks for the input, but "taking it back" isn't an option. I look forward to other thoughts on actual repair solutions.

-David

 

the car has alot of work to be done..several thousand dollars... I would have a certified GM dealerfix everything and have the bank pay for it..

 

Key is easy. Take a multimeter and test Ohms across the chip. If you look on here there are multiple type chips for these cars. 11 if i remember. This will tell you the range chip you need. There is a place that has a list for the key number you need. go on Ebay or talk with a vendor and see what he can get a key new for you. Then just go to a dealer and give them the Vin code and they can cut by the Vin unless the ignition has been changed.
As for the Cruise. It may be the multifunction switch but i haven't ran into any on the forums with this issue. But there may be a fix for that as well. If it's the multifunction you need a new switch as i don't think the fix here covers that button.
Power antenna you may need to pull the carpet back and test for power at the antenna. Motor might be burned out or broke. I think you can get a used or new one off ebay for a decent price and shouldn't be hard to change.
The hardest problem here would be the guage. It's be talked about with guys having gas guage issues. I've never really read on them though so unsure what it would be. I've heard of Sending units in the tank going bad and causing this issue with the tank sloshing and moving the guage.

P.S. if you want to spend more money just bring the car to the dealer and have them run the Vin and find out for you what key you need then order you one($50 or so just for the key) and then have them cut it. Remotes can be had on ebay for abot $75. That's actually alot considering that i think most of the truck and other car fobs are the same damn part number as the Vette ones they just need to be "trained" to the car.

 

I don't quite see how he's going to read the resistance on the key when he doesn't have a vats key. He is using a generic cut key with no vats according to his original post.

 

Open up the C5 forum (either tech or general) and "search this forum" on the top right in red. Enter your issue and you will find answers to most of your questions. I would buy a new fob from gmpartshouse.com. They run around $60 for the correct fob for a 2000, and newer 01-04 fobs will not work. As for your key, I agree that if you are starting the car without a vats key, someone has rigged a bypass in your system. Check your brake light operation to see if the brake light switch is causing your cruise to not engage. Also you could try lifting up the pedal and set the cruise to see if that makes it engage. The gas gauge could be a major issue, but search and read about using techron to clean the sending unit. Good luck, you've got some work to do.

 

Your right i just forgot as i was typing my book Dealer trip and run the VIN for a GM key and get it cut there

 

BTW, welcome to the forum. On your fixes and/or problems do your research. Purchase the corvette service manuals (~$150). Do your research here and ask questions if you can't find something or get stuck. There are a lot of great individuals here that can help you out with anything. Take your time and most of all....enjoy your Corvette!

 

Thank you for the welcome message! I have ordered the service manuals and purchased a key fob from "gmpartshouse" as suggested - that was the best price.

What exactly am I looking for with the brake light/cruise control issue? Am I wanting to make sure the brake lights go on and off when I press the brake pedal? Is the idea that the lights are staying on and therefore keeping the cruise from engaging? I'll look tomorrow.

-David

 

Just make sure the switch on the brake pedal is not in the on position. I'm not sure if it has two poles, one for the lights and one for the cruise, or if it uses the same. There may be an issue with the cruise or with the multifunction switch on the column, but it's a place to start.