The local Chevy dealer troubleshot my C5 down to the EBCM. I've been researching and reading this and other forums for the last two weeks. I've called or written most every junkyard and have also talked to most "rebuilders", or parts houses that claim they can supply a rebuilt one. Looking at the complaints, I can't seem to find even one reputable business that can repair my Delco Model 09360921, Part Number 19244084 EBCM, and of course GM quit carrying this part some years back. I've retouched all the solder joints on the visible board (no help).

I'm stuck with a dash full of fault lights, making it very difficult to drive at night, and I'm missing ABS, Traction Control, and Active Handling.

Does anyone have ANY suggestions? Thanks in advance!

 

What is the specific failure? Codes?

 

I spoke with Joe at Powertech Performance in St. Petersberg today, a forum vendor, and he said he repairs ebcm's with a lifetime warranty. At least I believe that is what he told me.

Is the ebcm the abs system component with an electronic board, a motor and the large hydraulic system with the hard lines all in front of the power steering assembly? If so then that is the electronic problem child he fixes.

You may want to call him. 727-826-0802. Please tell him Lawrence Walsh sent you as I'm about to have work done and need the goodwill.

Hope he can help, he seems like a very nice fella and really ready to do whatever it takes to please a customer.

 

After getting up to 5-10 MPH, Active Handling, ABS, and Traction Control lights illuminate with corresponding warnings in the DIC. It sets C1233, C1234, and C1243 codes. The right and left front speed sensors were swapped, no help, and all wiring to/from the EBCM ohms fine. The Chevy dealer and mechanic are certain it is the EBCM, are familiar with the problem, and followed all normal troubleshooting procedures before calling it bad.

 

Thank you Lawrence. I'll give him a call tomorrow morning and mention you as the reference. The EBCM is the box you describe. Problem is, the 1999 and 2000 are different, and are for the most part, not repairable. All other C5 years are, and usually for less than $150. But I'll call him. Sooner or later, someone is going to start fixing or re-engineering these things. There should still be at least 30,000 1999 and 2000 C5s, and that's a significant market for a part that WILL fail eventually.

 

I'm probably going to have the same repair done as my ebcm is likely in the same boat. It seems every one of them has either gone bad or will go bad so buying a used one is not a great solution.

When my car goes to Joe for a tune after my engine work is done in my garage I'll have the diagnostic to determine specifically if the ebcm is the culprit. Sounds like you have a definite diagnosis, John.

What is attractive about Joe's repair is the lifetime warranty so I don't have to worry about the impossibility of finding an expensive used one that is either bad or about to be bad.

 

I have a 99 and he said he fixes them. It isn't $150 but it is warrantied.

 

Exactly, and the root of my frustration.

Agreed. Others on the internet offer a great warranty but a quick Google of "[business name] complaints" shows their warranty is worth nothing.

I really appreciate this tip and I'll give Joe a call tomorrow.

 

I would appreciate knowing what you know. Please share.

 

 

You too

 

It is what lies beneath that board you see that fails. A ceramic hybrid populated with custom IC's wire bonded to the I/O pins for the connector. Even if it is a wire bond failure, more than likely not repairable.
Search for another post by me for pictures.
Ron

 

Yep, read that thread a week or so ago. Great picture of the board. I started to pull mine apart per your instructions but decided to keep looking for a while. I too find it hard to believe anyone can fix this thing, short of the caps, transistor, and relays on the front board.

 

Great info. I kinda thought the guys claiming to have some luck fixing these EBCMs were changing the relays or caps on the visible board. No C1214 here.

Yep, seeing that too. Lots of charlatans out there. I was on the phone today with a Chicago firm (that all had Indian accents) and I kept asking for specific guarantees in writing (to hedge against some of their exact practices I'd read about on complaint boards). After I repeatedly questioned the "new" status of the $1150 module, he checked with his supervisor, who told him it was rebuilt. After telling him that no one rebuilds them, he again checked with his supervisor, and oops! They just sold their last one and could no longer help me! Y'all be careful out there.

 

Maybe this will help you out a bit, John. Aug 25th there is a big Open House at Powertech in St. Pete and all the proceeds go to the St. Jude charity and I only know because I saw it advertised here on the forum. I plan to attend even though my car won't be ready to take to Joe for a few months. Although I don't know any of them I saw several weeks ago that a number of Florida members were planning to be there to run the dyno and be motor heads.

Give him a call, maybe he can mention a few forum members that will be attending that you already know of who can discuss the EBCM repair in person with him. I have not been there yet but I understand he spent a ton building his dyno shop and isn't going anywhere. When my car goes for work he will be running the diagnostic to check for the ABS problem and he thinks it likely to be the EBCM, maybe not.

If it's bad and I ask him to repair it, he'll ask me to pay him. If he puts it in and the problem isn't fixed I'm not leaving without my money. That's the upside of not sending it off to Outer Slobovia so Mr. Whacko can hack it up and keep my money. It certainly shouldn't be like your experience calling Chicago.

Now, I have never met Joe and I don't work for Powertech Performance so all this is only my impression from telephone conversations with him but at this point I plan to investigate his EBCM repair fully.

 

I picked up a EBCM here for 400 bucks with the correct programming for my 2000. I dont need it but I figured it was a worthwhile investment. Now I just hope it works when I do finally have mine go bad.

 

Isn't the car driveable even without the features? Maybe the codes can be programmed out with a Tech 2 or some other device so your dash appears normal...just a thought.

 

Someday, one of us technical geeks is going to have to figure out how to tell the car that the ABS/AH etc is working even if it isn't.

Won't be at all easy, but I believe it could be done.

Ron

 

Success!

Izzy at:

Izzy's Auto Parts Inc.
927 Baxter Ave N
Glencoe MN 55336
952-486-7151
izzysautoparts@yahoo.com

found a computer for me in a Canadian Junk Yard. I received it a few days ago and had the Chevy dealer install it, and the car now works perfectly.

Before he began his search, he asked me how much I'd be willing to pay if he found one. I told him $1200.

Throughout the ordeal, Izzy called to let me know the status of the part, and used my photos to have the Canadian Junk Yard verify that the EBCM was the correct one. He also had it shipped to him first so that he could verify that it was the correct one. I was very pleased with his management of getting this part to me and he instilled confidence in me that if the part was bad, I wouldn't get burned. There was a 30 day warranty and he emphasized the importance of checking the part's functionality as soon as possible so that we could exercise the warranty if necessary.

I have no financial interest in Izzy's business, but I will say that if you are in a bind as I was, Izzy proved to be a stand-up guy that didn't take me to the cleaners. He could have quoted me $1200 when he found the part, but in fact, it came in several hundred less. It's sometimes risky giving a guy on the internet your credit card number, especially when acquiring a part from outside the country, but in this case, Izzy's Auto Parts came though for me and exceeded my expectations.