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Hypothetical question on C5 EBCM problem
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: Jul 2014
Posts: 26
Likes: 2
From: Cameron Park California
Hypothetical question on C5 EBCM problem
I am through banging my head against the wall trying to get this resolved, so I am going to try to think outside the box on this problem. Number one is that, and I am sure most are aware of what the problem is, in that GM does not make the unit anymore since their 10 year obligation is over, there are no aftermarket manufacturers that make them, and the numerous repair shops only repair 2000 and newer, claiming there are no longer parts available to rebuild the original. OK, now my thought, or more accurately my question is this. Since the 2000 is still a C5 as well as the 2001, 2002, 2003, and 2004, and repairable, would it be possible to perhaps change out the computer and whatever EBCM unit is used in that year to address the problem? I can't imagine that there was too many changes made to the C5 units that compatibility would be too big a problem? Any ideas, or is this just another harebrained, wishful dreaming idea?????? Come on guys, there has to be a resolution somewhere besides paying around $2,000.00 to a junkyard for a part that would have sold before they became rare at $200.00, and then all you are buying is another part that is destined to fail. Any thoughts???? Thanks. I have posted this on two other Corvette sites in hopes of reaching more great minds.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jul 2012
Posts: 2,507
Likes: 9
The problem is 2 fold, there are systems with and without Active Handling as well as very early vs later model placement of the EBCM (very early cars it was in the rear) and (as you know already), there were different designs of the EBCM itself (and I think different wiring harnesses too). Since it's a system that defaults to regular NON anti-lock brakes, and trying to reverse engineer these to reproduce/repair them would be hideously expensive, I'm guessing you'll see more and more pre-2001 cars with the ABS/TC light on permanently.
Drifting
Joined: Mar 2013
Posts: 1,496
Likes: 355
From: Little Rock Arkansas
Yeah beaten like a dead horse.
The thing though is I would think that if this issue were easily resolvable it would have likely already been resolved. It's not like that this issue hasn't been addressed over, and over, and over by the C5 Corvette community. And considering that the affected cars account for roughly 40% of the issue there's an obvious need for it.
The flat fact of the matter is you either pay more for later cars that have more resolvable issues or deal with pricey, used parts for ones that have issues that aren't readily solved. Not completely unheard of in the automotive hobby by any means.
The thing though is I would think that if this issue were easily resolvable it would have likely already been resolved. It's not like that this issue hasn't been addressed over, and over, and over by the C5 Corvette community. And considering that the affected cars account for roughly 40% of the issue there's an obvious need for it.
The flat fact of the matter is you either pay more for later cars that have more resolvable issues or deal with pricey, used parts for ones that have issues that aren't readily solved. Not completely unheard of in the automotive hobby by any means.
Race Director
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 11,152
Likes: 890
From: South Western Ontario
if you have an active handling car then the systems really aren't that much different and the wires are all the same. The brake lines are brakes lines, just get new line and bend them up. You'd have to get the pump and EBCM and harness connector and the bracket to mount it. Oh, I believe you'd need the newer SWPS and pigtail. If you are **** about your car then you'll need the newer style brake lines too so they don't have splices. The parts combined will likely run well over $1k from a used dealer and then if you have no clue about how to do the swap you'd have to pay someone to do it. Most likely taking it to a shop you'd be looking somewhere in the $2k-$3k to get the swap done.
Steve Doten has also posted before that he's quite willing to do the swap but has yet to find a client who will pay to get it done. The cars with this issue are now 15 year old cars worth $10k-$12k so spending $3k on a repair doesn't make much sense.
My car does not have AH and it's working fine and I have another module I acquired years ago as parts for another project in my shed. But, if my car was broken I'd likely do the swap just to prove it can be done.
Steve Doten has also posted before that he's quite willing to do the swap but has yet to find a client who will pay to get it done. The cars with this issue are now 15 year old cars worth $10k-$12k so spending $3k on a repair doesn't make much sense.
My car does not have AH and it's working fine and I have another module I acquired years ago as parts for another project in my shed. But, if my car was broken I'd likely do the swap just to prove it can be done.
Last edited by lionelhutz; Sep 17, 2014 at 05:07 PM.
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: Jul 2014
Posts: 26
Likes: 2
From: Cameron Park California
In (01) there were many repair sites that could and would repair for a very reasonable price, however, since the beginning of this year, apparently all the parts to do the repairs have been used up. I have only had this car for about two months, so I am left out of getting it fixed.
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Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: Jul 2014
Posts: 26
Likes: 2
From: Cameron Park California
Before you beat that poor beast till your arms fall off, please realize that I have only owned this car for about two months, so this is all new to me, so if you don't have something constructive to add, please refrain from posting a reply at all.