My service active handling light came on recently in my 99 6 speed so I took it to my dealer and he said the parts I need are the EBCM and the brake pressure modulator valve which he says are no longer available from Chevy. I find this odd since C5's are not antiques. He even checked with Mid-America and they no longer carry them. They must not be important if they are no longer made. Does anybody know the story on these items?

 

Read and post your DTCs. Thats the only way that your going to be able to logically fix this issue. Could be as simple as a fues or as bad as they say. CODES??????

READING YOUR Engine Diagnostic Trouble Codes (DTC)

This procedure should be carried out any time you experience a problem with your C5. Most inexpensive store bought aftermarket code readers will ONLY read power train DTC’s. Reading the DTC’s with the C5 built in code reader will allow you to read ALL the modules in the vehicle.

The Diagnostic Display Mode is entered with the following procedure:
1) Turn on the ignition but don't start the engine.
2) Press the RESET button to turn off any warning messages. (i.e. door open, trunk open ect)
3) Press and hold the OPTIONS button
4) While holding OPTIONS, press FUEL button four times within a 10 -second period.

Initially, the on-board diagnostics go into an Automatic Mode which will cycle through each module and shows diagnostic codes in a pre-set sequence: PCM - TCS - RTD - BCM - IPC - RADIO - HVAC - LDCM - RDCM - SCM - RFA. All codes will be displayed for each module. ( i.e. PCM = 4 codes) If none are present in a given module, you will see No More Codes on the display.

There are two types of diagnostic codes, Current and History designated with a letter suffix, “C” or “H”. A current code indicates a malfunction is present in the module displaying data. A history code indicates a problem existed sometime in the last 40 or 50 ignition cycles. When not accompanied by a current code of the same number, it's potential evidence of a previous problem, now resolved, that was not removed by clearing the codes. More likely it's an indication of an intermittent malfunction.

Intermittent codes are the most challenging of the diagnostics. An intermittent code may have happened once, may have happened more than once but is inconsistent or may be happening on a regular basis but not at the time the codes are displayed. History codes can also be caused by a current malfunction in a system that is not operating at the time codes are displayed. An example is the rear window defogger which doesn't operate until the Body Control Module detects engine rpm. For history codes set by a module that does not operate with the key on and engine off, a special diagnostic tool called a Scan Tester is necessary to properly diagnose the malfunction.

Once the system has displayed all modules, it goes into the manual mode which allows selection of each module using combinations of Driver Information Center buttons. Manual mode can also be entered during the automatic sequence by pressing any button except E/M. Once the display shows Manual Diagnostics, select a module by pressing the OPTIONS button to go forward or the TRIP button to go back. Once a module is selected, a code is displayed, and if more than one are present; press GAGES to go forward or FUEL to go back.
To exit the diagnostic mode at any time, press E/M. If you want to erase codes in a given module, press RESET To reset the codes once in manual mode, press and hold RESET until it displays NO CODES Press OPTIONS to go to the next module. Repeat the steps until you have reset the codes in all the computer modules.
NOTE!! Only reset the codes IF you want to - it is NOT necessary to do this. Clearing a code does not repair a problem. You are simply erasing the evidence of it in the module's memory. If you clear the code/s, and extinguish the Check Engine Light, your emissions status ready will NOT allow you to pass an emissions test until you have completed the required driving cycles. There are a few body module DTC’s that if set will prevent the module from operating properly. Once the DTC is cleared, the module will return to full function. This is not true for power train DTCs.

If you have never read and cleared your codes, there will probably be a lot of old history DTCs. It is recommended that you clear your codes and see if any come back during a driving cycle. Those are the ones that you need to concentrate on diagnosing.

Once you have the codes, the next question is: What to do with the information?
First, consult the factory service manual. Any serious C5 Do-It-Yourself owner should invest in the Corvette Service Manual of the appropriate model year. The Service Manual is really a requirement if you want to understand and work on your C5.

NOTE and a WARNING. You can read the DTCs while the engine is running. I pull mine up all the time while driving.
WARNING. Don’t become distracted while reading DTCs while your driving and cause an accident!!!!! Use common sense and drive safe.

These are some very good C5 Diagnostic Trouble Code (DTC) explanation web sites!!! They also explain how to read the DTCs

Here are some very good sites that explain what DTC mean:

http://www.gearchatter.com/viewtopic11755.php

http://www.obd-codes.com/trouble_cod...d-ii-codes.php

Make sure to include the H or C suffix when you post your DTCs!!

 

The dealer said it showed no codes. Thanks for the advice.

 

I would check anyway... takes about ten seconds to see if you have any codes...

 

If your service active handling light is on there must be codes. The dealer may have cleared them but if the light comes back on the codes will be there. There are rare exceptions but the dealer is usually the worst place to go for service on a Vette.

 

I've come to the conclusion there are too many electronic gadgets on modern cars and vettes in particular. If you can't make it reliable then don't put it on the car. You can buy a new home computer and a new laptop for the price of automotive electronic parts. They must make about 1000% profit on these parts. It is aggravating.

 

I just checked my codes and 1292 comes up current. What does that tell you?

 

Do your brake lights work properly? I would clear the code and see if it returns. Check this thread.

http://forums.corvetteforum.com/c5-t...ode-c1291.html

 

Brake lights work fine. Everything works as it should.

 

They are actually pretty important but it sounds to me like your guy doesn't know what he's doing... If your car was in a condition which required the replacement of both of those components you would have several codes displayed... What are the symptoms? Is your light still on after clearing the codes? If not wait until it comes back on then pull your codes and post them... We're all just guessing without codes. Gl

 

Thanks. Will do.

 

Heres what you need to do. Pull up your DTCs., CLEAR EVERYTHING!

Take the car for a drive and as soon as you get your FAULT,, READ THE DTCs!

When you turn OFF the ignition, you clear the EBTCM DTCs! Read the codes WITHOUT TURNING OFF THE IGNITION!!!!

If you have those messages,,, YOU HAVE DTCs! Trust me on that one!

You can read codes driving down the road. Just don't get distracted and wreck!